A week after the earthquake in Haiti, I still grapple with feelings of sadness and grief for those who suffered so much. It is then that I remember that sorrow and joy are one and the same. So, I hold my children, smile at the rainfall, listen to sweet music and know that these joys are what make me understand suffering. -Ruthie
From “The Prophet” by Khalil Gibran:
“Then a woman said, ‘Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.’
And he answered:
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 hold 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.”
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, this passage is my all time favorites – it has helped me to get through so many challenges. “Your joy is your sorrow unmasked” gets me every time! Thanks so much for sharing this, Ruthie!
Wow. I love this perspective. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Sybil! I’m so glad the passage resonates with you, too. It has helped me SO much through times of grieving.
Like much in The Prophet, there is much in this to give solace!
The Prophet should be a regular resource for any thinking person.
OMG!
I commented after seeing your Tweet
I’ve just worked out after commenting that you’re the Stacey who’s guest posting over at The Calm Space
I am so thrilled that this passage touched all of you. It always has the ability to heal me.
And Chris, did you really find Stacey in two different places? I LOVE that!! This site is really working some magic!!
OMG is right!!! I am pretty new to the “blogosphere” and I continue to be surprised and delighted by the connections that can be made through social media. Seth Godin talks about its ability to help form tribes and now I’m a believer! (And I know Karen Wallace, creator of the lovely Calm Space, will be delighted, too – but perhaps not so surprised!)
Stacey
I write the Relationship Space on Calm Space! and work closely w Karen. She’d told me about you and it was only after I’d commented that I saw the name of the blog and put 2+2 together. I’m an ex-midwife so the name stuck when Karen was talking!!
LOL
But I’m such a fan of The prophet that i was just focused on that!!
Hi again, Chris!
Oh, it is a lovely small world. Thanks so much for sharing!
Excellent post Ruthie and Stacey – just what I needed ro read right now. Time to apprecaite both my joys and my sorrows:-)
Hi Arvind! So glad I found your comment here – even if it is a few days later.
I know you are also on Twitter and wonder if you follow @gassho. This was a post today: Your every pain and sorrow is a chance for your soul to befriend you more.
Isn’t that lovely? I thought you (and our other readers) would like it!