Unexpected Guests
/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 beyond.
-Rumi
I read this lesson from Rumi and cannot help but think about how many times in my life I have NOT been the welcoming hostess of the unexpected visitor of life. Over time, I have though. Even when I cringe for a moment at the door looking into the face of what I know will be a trying visit, a test of my graciousness, and a strain on my nerves. I have gotten better at welcoming the unexpected, the burdensome and the tiring. Yet, I have learned so much from their visits.
In life, not every guest is a pleasant vibrant experience. Not every occurrence is filled with joy, laughter and delight. Some are of pain, loss and disappointment. Some stretch us to grow outside of our comfort zone. Some require us to let go and release and we make room where we thought we were not ready to. Some of us cause us to act in faith and take calculated risks that require so much intention and effort.
But these “guests” help us grow. They allow us to lean into who our authentic self is. They cause us to stop and reflect on our truth and walk in it. They are the guests who sometimes push our buttons and we want to bury our head under the covers when we know they are near.
And yet, when they have departed and we sit and pause and assess the visit, we realize that they are some of the most important guests we have. Our life is richer for them. Our souls have expanded because of them. Our hearts are fuller and able to give more than we ever thought possible after their visit. Beauty of what they represent is now visible. Our momentary blindness of all they offered is gone and our perception has evolved. We are not the same person since their arrival; we are more of who are meant to be. We have a new depth to our essence that was not there at one time.
This is not to say our humanness will flinch at times when they knock on our door. They rarely call in advance so we are often caught off guard. But, as it so happens, there arrival is ALWAYS timely and we are ALWAYS ready for their visit. It is just so. Enough of these visits have caused me to gently welcome them. I have learned to look to them as informed visitors who shall inspire me at some point in time of their stay. I just need to remain open, as the loving and receptive hostess. I just need to be considerate of the opportunity. I just need to be compassionate with myself and allow the visit to unfold and listen closely for the beauty whispered in the stay.
Blessings ~ Lisa
©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade
