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 are 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 whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi
________________________________________________
each day I welcome so many things
into that deep place
where I am most me
where my humanity and my sacred nature
like close friends
gather intimately over coffee
or join together, perhaps
for a sip of wine
some visitors I welcome
for there are joys in this life
warm memories
hot expectations
or just the pleasure of this moment
as the sun shines
or the rain falls
some guests I do not
for life can be difficult,
and often I wander back
into the past
to moments I would like to forget,
moments that bring me pain or shame
and I often wander forward,
into places unknown and fearful
yet all must be welcomed,
noticed,
accepted with a graciousness
emerging from grace
greeted kindly
and offered a place to sit
where they might, at least for a moment
join in the conversation
sometimes those things that come
are unruly and rude
gross and ugly
disrupting the peace
l must love them anyway,
and gently seek to reconcile with them,
those angry ones,
before they go on their way
and if the room is left a shambles,
well
it can always be set aright
at times those that come
light up the room
and I smile
everything these visitors bring
is woven into my story,
my narrative,
and becomes a part of who I am
and who I am becoming
each caller, each thought and memory,
enriches and blesses in its own way
there is nothing sadder
and more lifeless,
than a house
where the lights are out
and the door
is
closed
