Ruminations

Overcast, blustery day here. I was dipping into various collections of poems this afternoon, and went back to Rumi's The Guest House. I like its take on non-discrimination between 'good' and 'bad' feelings, that the human, in acceptance and laughter, is somehow more than all of those transitory emotions. One that leaves me happily pondering...

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-- Rumi

Have a lovely weekend, folks. And for those whose birthday parties I'm missing, we shall catch up before too long X