God, the "Great Iconoclast."
  • Alma Turner
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    • Step 1: Humility >
      • Step One Questions
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The Guest House
by Rumi

The Guest House

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.

— Jellaludin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
Picture
  • Alma Turner
    • Alma Turner
    • Site Overview
    • Alma's Blessings
  • 12 Steps
    • Step 1: Humility >
      • Step One Questions
    • Step 2: Hope
    • Step 3: Faith
    • Step 4: Honesty
    • Step 5: Trust
    • Step 6: Willingness
    • Step 7: Surrender
    • Step 8: Forgiveness
    • Step 9: Justice >
      • Amend White to Black
    • Step 10: Perseverance >
      • Fear Watch
    • Step 11: Contact
    • Step 12: Service
  • Poems, Prayers, Music
    • Beloved Poems by Others >
      • I Stand at the Door by Sam Shoemaker
      • The Guest House by Rumi
      • The Invitation by Oriah
    • Poems
    • Poems Early 2021
    • Poems September 2021
    • Poems October 2021
    • Scratch Paper Poems etc
    • Parables and Songs
    • clay haiku
    • Big Book Prayers
    • Prayers by Me
    • Music >
      • Roberta Flack
      • Marvin Gaye
  • more
    • Rowdy Beauties >
      • Rowdy Beauties Bible Study N'awlins
      • Rowdy Beauties Bible Study Zoom
      • Rowdy Beauties Resouces >
        • Resources for Chapters 1-4
    • The Gospel of Thomas
    • Genesis >
      • High Priest
      • Jacob is Israel.
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 23, 46, 91, 139
      • Psalms 121, 1, and 32
    • Isaiah >
      • Isaiah 30
      • Isaiah 54
    • Jeremiah 31:31-35
    • Jesus >
      • Brown or Black
      • Teacher
      • Son of Man
      • Activist
      • High Priest
      • Innocent
      • Lynched
      • Alive
      • Sayings >
        • Sayings 1-3
        • Sayings 4-6
        • Sayings 7-9
        • Sayings 10-12
        • Sayings 13-15
        • Sayings 16-18
        • Sayings 19-21
        • Sayings 22-24
        • Sayings 25-27
        • Sayings 28-30
        • Sayings 31-33
        • Sayings 34-36
        • Sayings 37, 38, 39
        • Sayings 40, 41, 42
        • Sayings 43, 44, 45
        • Sayings 46, 47, 48
        • Sayings 49, 50, 51
        • Sayings 52, 53, 54
        • Sayings 55, 56, 57
        • Sayings 58, 59, 60
        • Sayings 61, 62, 63
        • Sayings 64, 65, 66
        • Sayings 73, 74, 75
        • Sayings 76, 77, 78
        • Sayings 100, 101, 102
        • Sayings 103, 104, 105
        • Sayings 106, 107, 108
        • Sayings 109, 110, 111
        • Sayings 112, 113, 114
    • Lectio Divina
    • Fasting
    • Reading
    • 12 White Steps
    • The Circle and Triangle
    • The Symbol
    • Blog
    • God is Love.
    • Frederick Douglas
    • Preparations