House of Joy

Mirrors are interesting things
What we see there
Can change

Simply because of the eyes
we look through

When our eyes are tired
worn down by a tired soul
we see a gnarled face
full of wrinkles and spots

But when we look with eyes
that realize
that we are the keepers of a great treasure

That in us dwells
all that is sacred
and good

That God is there
and love
and grace

We would see
for all the wrinkles and spots
a "most beautiful face"

and we would smile

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If you knew yourself for even one moment,
if you could just glimpse
your most beautiful face,
maybe you wouldn't slumber so deeply
in that house of clay.

Why not move into your house of joy
and shine into every crevice!
For you are the secret
Treasure-bearer,
and always have been.
Didn't you know?
-- Rumi