Reading Rumi’s The Guest House”

The Guest House By Rumi

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.

Were you in pain today? Yesterday? I’ve had my moments. Nothing too grand, just an annoyance here, an anxiety there, a sadness or a sense of upcoming loss. My instinct is to avoid the pain or to ruminate on an imagined future worry. I’m a great ruminator. I’ve come to understand it and accept it more.