Introspect : Grace Finds Beauty in Everything *

salomeU2000 · 07-16-2003, 12:52 AM

By Debbie Kreuser

In my previous essays, I touched on the inevitability of change. No one person better illustrates this idea than Bono. Since the earliest days of U2, Bono has gone through many transformations, both on stage and off (from son to father, from Rock star to social activist, etc.).

These tremendous changes in most people's lives would have led them down paths of excess and confusion, possibly even cynicism. But for Bono, these changes seem to have had the opposite effect. The trials, tribulations, temptations and triumphs he has experienced have appeared to elevate him to a greater sense of purpose, and a closer walk with Grace (Grace finds beauty...).

As U2 fans and followers, we know of some of the challenges Bono has faced in his lifetime - the loss of his mother as a teenager, the loss of his father almost two years ago, his brief encounters with addictive drugs in the '80s and alcohol in the '90s, and the constant temptation of women - every shape and color, including some of the most beautiful women in the world.

The details of these challenges are not ours to know - they belong to those who were most directly affected. Neither is it helpful for any of us (especially for Bono and his family) for us to "drag the truth out into the light.�

What is important for us to learn from Bono's past is the transformative power of "beginning again" ( I will begin again....). In order to change his life - to "turn it into a prayer" - Bono had to open himself, deconstruct himself, so that God could fill in the empty spaces and sew up the "tears" in his heart.

In humbling himself, Bono found healing. By facing his challenges and the mistakes he may have made, Bono transformed himself and gives us a powerful example of how humility can heal the Human Spirit through Grace.

Bono has given us many gifts: his music, his determination, his integrity, his compassion. But maybe his greatest gift to us has been his example. He has shown us that it is through facing our difficulties, our temptations, our weaknesses that we can find our truest meaning and our highest purpose in life.

Thank you, Bono, for your life, your honesty, and your example. Thank you for showing us the way Home.

celia · 07-16-2003, 03:00 AM

Brilliant!

Strato Edge · 07-16-2003, 10:42 AM

Bravo! Great!

Lemonchick · 07-16-2003, 12:22 PM

Excellent!!

Allegra · 07-16-2003, 09:48 PM

*sniff*

Thank you

acbt1212 · 07-16-2003, 10:39 PM

awesome awesome piece!! i loved it
but i think the best part is that every word is true 100% and that means a lot.
thank you!

Moonlit_Angel · 07-17-2003, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by acbt1212
awesome awesome piece!! i loved it
but i think the best part is that every word is true 100% and that means a lot.
thank you!

.

This piece proves why we love this guy so much.

Angela

mumbler · 07-17-2003, 06:14 PM

We think alike-well written and to the point! I myself am going through some very hard situations and only with the grace of God am I able to walk through these changes in my life. If there is such a thing as a "soulmate" then I have found mine in Bono...

U2luv · 07-20-2003, 06:02 AM

Wow, that was BRILLIANT! Thank you for such a beautifully written essay.

bono Q · 07-21-2003, 04:43 AM

yeahhh great essay

it
Bono used drugs????????During what period in the 80'????

cathou_u2 · 07-15-2005, 09:12 AM

Like someone have said...I've found my soulmate into Bono!!!
Your essay is excellent...I wouldn't have done better!

The guy is such a REALLY GOOD example for all of us...and it's true that the best thing that he gave us apart his music, lyrics,etc...it's his example!!! He've shown us the way to a better world, he've gave us the key to ourselves, gave us hope in dark moment...in the end it's all about his example, he rely people to himself, he carry on without forgetting someone...he touches everyone...deeply!!!

I guess it's why I'm a BONOLOVER!!!

***Bono didn't use drugs, maybe he've tried it, we don't know for sure...drugs affect him, beacause there was a lot of heroins in Ireland back then...it's why he wrote that beautiful song:Running to stand still!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JT

07-16-2003, 12:52 AM	#1
salomeU2000 The Fly Premium Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Dallas Posts: 294 Local Time: 04:50 AM Images: 83	Introspect : Grace Finds Beauty in Everything * By Debbie Kreuser In my previous essays, I touched on the inevitability of change. No one person better illustrates this idea than Bono. Since the earliest days of U2, Bono has gone through many transformations, both on stage and off (from son to father, from Rock star to social activist, etc.). These tremendous changes in most people's lives would have led them down paths of excess and confusion, possibly even cynicism. But for Bono, these changes seem to have had the opposite effect. The trials, tribulations, temptations and triumphs he has experienced have appeared to elevate him to a greater sense of purpose, and a closer walk with Grace (Grace finds beauty...). As U2 fans and followers, we know of some of the challenges Bono has faced in his lifetime - the loss of his mother as a teenager, the loss of his father almost two years ago, his brief encounters with addictive drugs in the '80s and alcohol in the '90s, and the constant temptation of women - every shape and color, including some of the most beautiful women in the world. The details of these challenges are not ours to know - they belong to those who were most directly affected. Neither is it helpful for any of us (especially for Bono and his family) for us to "drag the truth out into the light.� What is important for us to learn from Bono's past is the transformative power of "beginning again" ( I will begin again....). In order to change his life - to "turn it into a prayer" - Bono had to open himself, deconstruct himself, so that God could fill in the empty spaces and sew up the "tears" in his heart. In humbling himself, Bono found healing. By facing his challenges and the mistakes he may have made, Bono transformed himself and gives us a powerful example of how humility can heal the Human Spirit through Grace. Bono has given us many gifts: his music, his determination, his integrity, his compassion. But maybe his greatest gift to us has been his example. He has shown us that it is through facing our difficulties, our temptations, our weaknesses that we can find our truest meaning and our highest purpose in life. Thank you, Bono, for your life, your honesty, and your example. Thank you for showing us the way Home.

07-16-2003, 09:48 PM	#5
Allegra And no, not the medicine! Premium Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The stars at night are big and bright clap, clap, clap, clap Posts: 1,933 Local Time: 10:50 PM	WOW!!! sniff Thank you __________________

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07-16-2003, 03:00 AM	#2
celia New Yorker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: all maps welcome Posts: 2,759 Local Time: 04:50 AM	Brilliant!

07-16-2003, 10:42 AM	#3
Strato Edge War Child Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 857 Local Time: 08:50 PM	Bravo! Great!

07-16-2003, 12:22 PM	#4
Lemonchick Rock n' Roll Doggie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,305 Local Time: 11:50 PM	Excellent!!

07-16-2003, 10:39 PM	#6
acbt1212 Babyface Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NY Posts: 10 Local Time: 04:50 AM	awesome awesome piece!! i loved it but i think the best part is that every word is true 100% and that means a lot. thank you!

07-17-2003, 06:14 PM	#8
mumbler The Fly Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: too far from Bono Posts: 66 Local Time: 04:50 AM Images: 10	We think alike-well written and to the point! I myself am going through some very hard situations and only with the grace of God am I able to walk through these changes in my life. If there is such a thing as a "soulmate" then I have found mine in Bono...

07-20-2003, 06:02 AM	#9
U2luv The Fly Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer :-) Posts: 203 Local Time: 11:50 PM	Wow, that was BRILLIANT! Thank you for such a beautifully written essay.

07-21-2003, 04:43 AM	#10
bono Q The Fly Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 278 Local Time: 05:50 AM	yeahhh great essay it Bono used drugs????????During what period in the 80'????

07-15-2005, 09:12 AM	#11
cathou_u2 The Fly Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 242 Local Time: 04:50 AM	Like someone have said...I've found my soulmate into Bono!!! Your essay is excellent...I wouldn't have done better! The guy is such a REALLY GOOD example for all of us...and it's true that the best thing that he gave us apart his music, lyrics,etc...it's his example!!! He've shown us the way to a better world, he've gave us the key to ourselves, gave us hope in dark moment...in the end it's all about his example, he rely people to himself, he carry on without forgetting someone...he touches everyone...deeply!!! I guess it's why I'm a BONOLOVER!!! ***Bono didn't use drugs, maybe he've tried it, we don't know for sure...drugs affect him, beacause there was a lot of heroins in Ireland back then...it's why he wrote that beautiful song:Running to stand still!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JT