Inspiration from Kahlil Gibran: On Joy & Sorrow
June 14, 2009
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Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
*
Please remember as you continue on your quest for balance, happiness, inner peace, and lack of suffering, that everything in Nature goes through cycles… the ebbs and flows that allow us to experience the ecstasy of contrast. Without the constant sway, we would feel nothing at all. Neither extreme is sustainable indefinitely; and as the pendulum swings, we are renewed.
Appreciate every moment.
Thanks!!!
Related posts:
- Inspiration from Yoko Ono: Seasons Pass
- Inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe: Alone
- Inspiration from Osho: Three Truths About Life
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Lisis, this was lovely. The following is the key and something we often lose sight of:
“Without the constant sway, we would feel nothing at all”
You can’t know pleasure unless you’ve experienced pain.
Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog ..Are You Addicted to Speed?
Appreciate every moment! What great advice to leave us with. Thank you. I think it’s very important to have both the positive and the negative in our lives. We cannot truly experience joy if we haven’t experienced sorrow.
Positively Present´s last blog ..words are my happy sounds
Good morning! I completely agree… I think one of the reasons I am able to feel so happy now is because I have suffered tremendously devastating sorrows, and have come out to the other side.
I find it very comforting to watch the cycles of Nature and know that every living thing goes through the various phases… sometimes we spring forth with energy and vitality. Other times we fall back and regroup. It’s the way it was meant to be.
Happy Sunday!
It’s hard to remember this when we’re feeling sad, but it makes total sense, we appreaciate our joy the most when we’ve suffered. Pain, joy, it’s all part of life, thanks Lisis
Rosa´s last blog ..Si tu quieres bailar! – If you want to dance!
It’s true, Rosa… it is hard to remember when we are feeling sad. But also, when we are feeling happy (or at least content) we tend to take that for granted. We don’t NOTICE it, pay attention to it, and revel in it with the awareness that the good times, too, shall pass.
I think it’s important to remember that our circumstances and emotions will constantly be changing so that we can retain hope when we’re suffering, and make the most of life when we’re enjoying it.
Happy Sunday, Sweet Pea!
EXCELLENT reminder, Lisis. I especially like your reminder to be aware during those moments of happiness or contentedness. Very important.
Kahlil Gibran seems to have a way of speaking to the core of us, doesn’t he?
Thank you!
Mr. Nuggets´s last blog ..The Value of Good Friends
He sure does, Chris. That’s one of the reasons I started this Inspiration Sunday thing. There are so many wonderfully inspiring lessons to be learned from the “masters” that really don’t need any paraphrasing from me. Sometimes we need to read the originals (in translation) and learn the lessons directly from those who have dedicated their lives to finding the answers and sharing them beautifully.
Kahlil Gibran certainly fits that category.
[...] por momentos muy difÃciles, apreciamos de veras el sentimiento de felicidad. Por cierto, gracias Lisis Realmente admiro las personas que saben buscarle el lado amable a las [...]
[...] por momentos muy difÃciles, apreciamos de veras el sentimiento de felicidad. Por cierto, gracias Lisis Realmente admiro las personas que saben buscarle el lado amable a las [...]