Dena, a social practitioner at Fountain House Clubhouse in New York City, performs an excerpt from Antonio Mata's novel Love Is in the Eye of the Beholder. The piece urges listeners to let in hope, redemption, forgiveness, and peace when facing setbacks, shame, fear, and defeat, using vivid metaphors of light, masks, water, and shelter to frame emotional healing.
What you are about to hear is an excerpt from the book Love Is in the Eye of the Beholder. It is written by Antonio Mata. It will be performed by Dena, a social practitioner from Fountain House Clubhouse in New York City.
Let it in. When the road you are traveling is thwarted with snakes, snares, and setbacks, Keep your head up. Look to the sun and let the light in. When the spin of the world seems increasingly fast and you get lost and knocked off track, hold tight to that little strand of hope and let redemption in. When you look in the mirror and your reflection causes shame and disappointment to surface, Peel off the mask of tragedy, cleanse yourself in the waters of acceptance, and let forgiveness in.
When the storms of life create turbulent winds and the downpour of sadness and sorrow drowns you, find shelter, dry yourself off, and let peace in. When the uncertainty about choices in the past and worries about the future rob you of stability, release yourself from the chains of fear and let security in. When you've tried all that you can to change the unfavorable and misfortune into something good, hang in there. Try to keep yourself motivated and let perseverance in. When everything around you just screams defeat and discouragement, hold high a banner of positivity.
Deafen your ears to anything contradictory to your hopefulness and let victory in. When you feel alone and it seems there is nowhere left to turn, find refuge in love's care and let comfort in.
