I think it is one of the most unbearable feelings ever–when you feel backed into a corner by life. Whether we find ourselves there by circumstances beyond our control, or because someone has pushed us there, or because we have pushed ourselves there, it is still a painful narrow tight place with very little breathing room.
The word mitzrayim in Hebrew refers to Egypt where the Israelites were enslaved, literally translates as the narrow place. In the Psalms and other liturgy there are repeated references to having been liberated from mitzrayim. This narrative is a core teaching in Judaism, in liberation theology and many other spiritual traditions.
When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
- Harriet Beecher Stowe, anti-slavery activist
photo courtesy of JLR