The Impermanence of Life
Life is impermanent. This can be hard to accept. We want the good times to go on and on and we want to avoid the difficult days. Divorce, illness, unemployment, and financial loss, that shouldn’t happen to ME. Those challenging aspects of life should happen to other people, not ME (with a capital M and E). Every experience in our lives gives us a chance to grow. Staying strong and having courage through strife will empower you.
The poem below is written by Rumi and is from the book, “The Essential Rumi” translations by Coleman Barks. Rumi (c. 1207-1273) was a poet and mystical genius of the Sufi tradition within Islam and has been called “the greatest mystical poet of any age”. “The Guest House” so beautifully states for us to welcome each day and be grateful for what each day brings. Each person that comes into our lives has been sent as a guide from beyond. Print this poem and put it someone where you can refer to it and remember to embrace life each day and accept and learn from each “visitor”.
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
Do you have any other favorite poems of Rumi? Let me know what they are!