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 the beyond.

Take a moment to pause. Breathe in, breathe out. Welcome your new guests. With everything that the world is throwing at us right now, can you slow down and quiet your mind enough to hear what message they bring? Notice if you are resisting that idea. That resistance is another guest to be treated honorably.

Rumi (Jalal al-Din Rumi, 1207-1273) was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic whose profound writings on divine love, unity, and spiritual experience have made him one of the world's most beloved poets. This poem gives us a challenge to meet the day with an open mind and heart.

Image credit: "Lost Places" by Peter Hermmann (via Pixabay). Check out his interesting photos at
https://unsplash.com/@tama66

Check out UUFN's  Zen Contemplation Corner for additional reflections.