Dharma

Today I was thinking about an old friend, a musician, and how failure and rejection fueled his depression, which he self-medicated with drugs and alcohol and other destructive behaviors; and how the intermittent success he experienced supplied the resources that allowed him to pursue those addictions and behaviors.  A terrible cycle.  Heaven knows, I’m not judging him.  This is the man who gave us some wonderful music, music that I still love and honor.  His ravaged life couldn’t obscure his honesty, or his genius as an artist.  And when I think of the hurt and fear and pain he endured . . . But it’s just a reminder to me that we are not made for success or failure.  We are made for dharma--or destruction.