Rumi advises us to not only learn from everything that happens in our lives but eagerly welcome these Divine opportunities to transform ourselves.
Rumi - 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 are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honourably.
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.
I first heard this poem of Rumi at the Recocus on Recovery conference 2010. My apologies to the presenter who included it for I made no note of thier name.
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