today I'm grateful for 'the guest house'

​Image by M from Pixabay

When something traumatic happens in life, when we’re burdened by challenging emotions, when life seems to take a wrong turn, it can be confusing and set you up for despair. It’s in these moments we can find ourselves searching for answers.

​Why did this happen? What could I have done differently? How can I process this? Is this a sign, a message from the Universe? What now?

In the shock of trauma or change, I find it comforting to lean on gratitude. What am I grateful for?

I know I am so blessed, and breathing life into this feeling can ease the pain and confusion. Tonight, I sought inspiration from one of my favorite poets– Rumi –and his poem The Guest House. It reminds me that every moment, every feeling, every challenge is a guest and guide to be cherished, no matter how they show up.

The Guest House
By Jalaluddin Rumi, 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic, poet and theologian
-from The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

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

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Meet them at the door laughing. Indeed. And with great curiosity and wonder!

I am truly grateful for this poetic reminder and inspiration for this life. It is grand and mysterious! And I am grateful for every guest.

How does this poem land for you? Did you need to hear this today?

With much grace and love,
Anna SachKiret

PS. A coming series? Speaking of poetic powerhouses, mantra meditation is one of the most powerful and comforting ways to code over negative thought patterns in your brain and create new, elevating thoughts to support and enhance your life. And they are so beautiful to listen to and to chant. I’m considering creating a separate series of posts to share mantra chants with you all. Is this something you’d be interested in? Please let me know!

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