The Guest House
This being human is a guesthouse.
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 ~
i adore verses by Rumi and this is certainly one of my all time favorites. thanks for posting it.
Needed this. Thank you…
Am working on this:-) Have to remember “He may be clearing you out for some new delight” Like that one!
Hi,
Wonderful poem that fits with concepts behind “Healthy Survivorship.”
I see that you’ve quoted my work in earlier posts. I’m glad to learn you are finding my writing useful. Just to let you know, I have a new book out that might interest you: ONLY 10 SECONDS TO CARE. Short stories illustrate words and actions that take clinicians only seconds but can make a world of difference for patients. From my vantage as a physician and long-term cancer survivor, I offer a view of the doctor-patient relationship that promises to offer insights about the members of your healthcare team as well as about yourself as a patient.
I also write a blog on Healthy Survivorship at http://www.wendyharpham.typepad.com
When you have some time, pop over and visit.
I look forward to following your blog.
With hope, Wendy
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
one of the approaches that i took was to embrace my cancer:
i would ask of it ~ “what is it that you are bringing to me?”
“what am i being prepared for?”
when i was quiet for long enough,
i got many answers.
Rumi knows this.
i adore that line too “He may be clearing you out
for some new delight” – something to try to hold onto in the dark times.
i was really moved by this poem – thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you all for your great comments – so happy this Rumi verse spoke to so many of you