A friend who is living with an invasive and aggressive cancer posted this poem on his Caring Bridge page. It is not an easy thought to embrace, and I wonder about his ruminations on it in the middle of his nights.
Unsettling as it is to our conventional ways of answering our doorbell, it is an invitation to each of us to reflect on a deeper definition of our soul’s hospitality.
THE GUEST HOUSE – Jelaluddin Rumi (translation 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 are 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 whatever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
sacredlead 
Thanks for this, Bob. Just taking a break from writing a sermon for Sunday on “being blessed.” Rumi nails it, as always. Henri Nouwen taught us to “put all things under the blessing.” Of course, we are prone to draw a line and put the “good” things above the line, as blessings, and the “bad” things below the line as curses. Ah, the guest house. The truly welcoming place of deepest being, where all is blessing. Love to you and Peggy.
Martie – thanks for bringing Henri Nouwen into the conversation and adding your own frame — putting “all things under the blessing” and welcoming them to the “place of deepest being.” Hope you return from sabbatical refreshed in mind, body and spirit. Peggy joins me in sending love.
This is one of those ” At this moment, this is what I think I would do in this situation” ” If and until I arrive there, I don’t know what I really would do. ” I am sure I would be enraged. I would hope I would get past that fairly soon and make the best of what time I had left.
Here is an interesting animated video of the Guest House poem.
This is one of my favorites from Rumi.
Bob . . . my favorite Rumi axiom is: “Out beyond the idea of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” . . . Paul