heartsteps

"Waterfall" by Kahlil 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 holds 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 into your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you will say, ‘Joy is greater than sorrow,’ and others will 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.”

Kahlil Gibran

"Dance of Joy" by Mary McEwan

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?

The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move

That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!”

Whereas, my dear,
I’m afraid you still think

You have a thousand serious moves.

Hafiz

Spreading your arms wide
throw your body forward
prepare to soar into life,
the world is yours today,
so lay down your burdens,
pick up your joy,
and fly
through the door
of opportunity,
infinity. Your spirit
will live on,
long after your body’s gone.
Your energy will touch
so many, and your soul
hovering slightly overhead
will smile all the while.

Dive! they shouted,
the water’s fine!
take all the time you need,
but dive indeed,
into cool, clear pool
of your own ecstasy.
Breathe in the fresh
crisp, scent of love,
look at the moon above,
fall backwards into the crowd
and trust that we will catch you,
And rock you gently
to the ground.

Feel that sinking, excited feeling
in your belly, that roller coaster,
parachute sensation.
Laugh out loud,
be proud and touch
the sacred inside you.
Choose love each day
and don’t delay too long
your romance
with the planet
and its inhabitants.
You have only now
so show me how
very interested you are in living.