The Story of Knymph…

Who is she and what is she? No, she never does actually say. Knymph is a story of her own making…she wrote herself. Knymph is a Storyteller and formed from despair and nothingness, her greatest creation, her greatest Story is herself. Have I lost you? Launched a Puzzle too difficult to follow?

We all write our own story. Our life, our story. We are the creators of our lives. A few of us (a very few), know that we are the ones who hold the pen. Most though, believe that their lives happen to them, rather than the other way around.

Of course, Knymph was born in the real world. Whatever “real” means! Who’s to say? Yes, born in the real world, but not happy with where she had landed. Things were painful…daily. There were lies and betrayals and… physical pain, as well. It began simply, create another world, one in which she could escape the cruelty and bitterness of this one. Once escaping into this world, she realized she could not truly enter it…not really…unless she became someone else. She set to her task, first having to decide who she would like to be. This was easy, for she wanted to be someone with humor. What would life be without it? Despair, indeed. Along with humor, she wanted to be someone smart, strong, flexible, and brave. To possess courage was of great importance. Not only to be someone who could face anyone, anything, any situation that may arise…but also because Truth was what she valued above all else…and quite simply, to face Truth, see Truth, acknowledge and speak Truth is a most fearsome task. Yet, without Truth…one is not living authentically. Truth is important…and though often sad…it is just as often quite amusing.

Only one of Knymph’s contradictions, is that in order for her deal in Truth, she had to create a world based in fantasy. For in fantasy one can say things…without really saying them.

So, her Forest was in place and she could enter fully, because she created herself. Only a few matters had been left undone…she had to give herself another name. This name would need to protect the defenseless child who trembled within…and so this she did, too. Lastly, in order that she would not lose the traits the child came into the “real world” possessing, Knymph hid her innocence, her vulnerability, and her Golden Heart in her Forest…her private world.

Instead of becoming a trap…her world grew with her. Each day and with every breath, she added to her world…until she no longer needed to add to it…spontaneously, things created themselves. A wondrous new tree, a mischievous sprite, a wild garden, a powerful ocean, a crimson suitor. There is Light, Nature, Art, and Beauty…for these are what she admires and aspires to be. There is also darkness, ugliness, and fearful creatures. Ah, but she had made herself brave, had she not? Courage she gave to herself in order to stand, facing the darkness, the ugliness, and the fearful creatures. And everywhere in Knymph’s world mysterious Shadow dances…for as we all well know, there can be no Light without Shadow.

Everyone loses their way…everyone has doubts. Knymph gets lost no more often, nor less, than others. And Knymph has doubts no greater, nor less, than others. A special group of souls live in the “real world”…Artists, Poets, and Bards. And if they are truly blessed, they will know who they are…or someday realize it. This group follow a path that is lit by a puzzling, mysterious glow, which is only as bright as their own belief in themselves. Grateful, Knymph knows she is blessed, for she knows who she is…making a promise herself to follow this path…no matter how dim, nor brilliant, the light may be. One of her discoveries? Truth makes the light on this path brighter…and therefore, easier to see, though, Truth itself is never easy.

Only a few get past the Guard at the Gateway to her Forest…very few. Sometimes, Knymph makes a mistake and allows passage to someone who is not meant to pass. For even though they may possess the Key to gain entry, for whatever reason…their journey requires them to be somewhere else. And sometimes, she allows passage to someone who only appears to have the Key… but then, how can you know, truly know who has the Key, who is meant, who is worthy…unless their valor is tested? It is the only way. But, along with their valor, Knymph’s heart is also tested…

Alongside Truth, another of Knymph’s desires is to bring an Undefended Heart into her Forest. So, should someone get past the Guard at her Gateway, and either they do not belong in her Forest or the Key to their valor fails them, she chooses to not regret…for each time her heart breaks, she rebuilds.

It has been said that the heart can only break once. If that is so, then these hearts must be guarded...encased behind an impenetrable wall. This is not true for Knymph...for her heart has broken many times. But the heart can rebuild. Her heart is strong...and each time it breaks...she rebuilds. She does not wish to protect it. And after she rebuilds? Her heart only comes back stronger, bigger, and more resilient…and this only adds more depth and richness to her Forest.

The Cost of Truth…

To give someone the truth, one’s own truth, can cost pride…vanity…ego. You may not look so good anymore…the gloss and sheen of the veneer is pulled back when you speak your truth. When you lay yourself bare…well, you are no longer protected (armored), are you? That is always, nearly always, a frightening prospect for any of us…all of us. You’re open now, for the judgment and possibly disdain, even contempt of others…many forms this disdain or contempt may take. Many forms. Laughter, not warm and friendly, but laughter that says the other finds you a fool. Patronizing, the sensation that the other finds you lacking and you are only someone to be pitied, cajoled, and mislead. But these are only the consequences of speaking the truth to those with whom you have no actual feelings. The cost of speaking one’s truth to someone you cherish…or fear…can be further paid in the loss of that one’s approval, friendship, love, and support…gifts of the soul. Ah, but if the truth should cost you the loss of these ‘gifts of the soul’ from someone you cherish, then you were never really receiving these gifts from them to begin with…not really. So…in the end, the truth can only cost you an illusion…which can be a painful enough loss in itself.