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”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 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.”
– The Guest House by Rumi
A certain virus beginning with the letter C arrived in our house about 13 days ago and one by one each of the family have succumbed to it’s nature, with me being the last. It hasn’t been such a pleasant dose at all and it is still working it’s way through me.
I’m always amazed at how your thinking is affected when your body is working to expel an invader and this experience has reminded me of it.
But a difference in me now compared to years ago is I don’t react to my thinking when my mood drops – well, most of the time…:)
The above poem expresses it beautifully.
Welcome all thoughts and feelings – don’t resist any.
And it’s a great comfort to consider that there is a clearing out for ‘some new delight’. In my experience, there is a lot of truth to that.
Perhaps you can consider the words in the poem as a guide this week and experiment with welcoming all ‘new arrivals’?
What if we could be ‘at the door laughing’ regardless of what’s going on around us?
Best,
Shane
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Latest Episode on The Inner Edge Podcast: How To Get Out Of (& Stay Out Of) Panic Mode
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