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.
From Essential Rumi
by Coleman Barks
Trust me, I am not so evolved that I can even imagine welcoming them all in, never mind the laughing. I do not even think it is remotely possible, but I get it.
It is hard to imagine pain as opportunity and yet... I know that sometimes, this turns out to be true. With loss sometimes comes the chance at a new beginning, a different beginning, a different and perhaps even better outcome. But Oh! how hard it is to remember this from the thick of it.
Today I am wishing on all of us gentleness and acceptance of where we are, and wishing us all "some new delight" after all of this darkness and all of these struggles.
6 comments:
Thank you for the poem, Kate. It's beautiful, and true, and I think I need to hold onto this one to re-read on the bad days when nothing seems ok.
Thinking of you today, Kate. Inspired as always by your grace. WIshing gentleness and acceptance for you, too, today, as well as much sunshine and warmth.
And please, be easy with yourself, and kind; because you're certainly easy and kind with all of us you speak with, and to, and for. You're in my thoughts today.
Acceptance, now there is a thought provoking word. Why is it so hard to accept things? Well it is for me anyway. I guess it means we have to start grieving and thats when the hurt starts. I am here for you during this hurt.
Thank you for your sweet comment. You and everyone in this blogging community have been so supportive and welcoming towards me. I care about everyone here, especially you. I know nothing I say can ever make things better but I know what strength support and comments can give, and the knowledge that people are thinking of you, worrying about you and care about you.
Take care of yourself
Nic x
Kate - thinking of you today. thanks for the poem - like you, the thought of welcoming it all is hard to imagine but I hope that all of this will make me a better person, a better wife, a better friend - more compassionate, a better listener.
I hope that you are treating yourself well, with love and compassion. You truly continue to inspire me as well.
((HUGS))
Lovely post, Kate. Thinking of you
EB
Beautiful post - today is a hard day just because. I pray that you will be able to get pg again soon for the whole 9 month deal. (me too) I think it is a long road for us, sometimes feeling like we have found the grace to get through; and then feeling utterly alone and worthless. I hope your good moments outweigh the bad. Thinking of you.
My heart goes out to you. I lost my baby at 11 weeks, abou ta month ago and your story brings tears to my eyes. I am thinking of you.
Post a Comment