Monday, June 7, 2004
On Joy & Sorrow
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

On Joy & Sorrow

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 hold 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 in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others 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.



This is my choice. The Prophet whispers to my soul and convinces me that indeed He is out there and He is in here. This chapter seems to be what my life has been made of and in fact it is my great sorrows that allow me the joy of happiness. I can compare my glee with times of sorrow and can savor their sweetness all the more. This book comforts me, guides me and leads me to the greater goodness in my realities.

The edition I have was given to me by my 8th grade humanities teacher after my father's murder and my sexual abuse at 13. She was legally unable to talk to me about God and now, as an adult, I realize that she gave me this book to comfort my soul and show me the path. She was the epitome of love.



{Okay Mumsy....wipe the grin off your face my friend. You guessed correctly, happy?}



ckays1967 at 9:23:00 AM PDT Link to this entry

This entry has 7 comments: (Add your own)
Beautiful. Gibran's work is amazing - such truth. Thanks for sharing this passage and for sharing your story. ::smile::
Comment from slowmotionlife - 6/13/04 10:13 AM



Very happy.
Very tardy.
I can't believe people haven't read this book. ah, must be youngsters. In order to be a hippie in the late 60s/early 70s, this book was REQUIRED READING. HubbyJoe and I read from it to celebrate our wedding vows.
It worked!

hugs (with just a hint of 'I told you so')--
Mumsy, who is hanging head for not peering in this window in a while.
Comment from merelyp - 6/13/04 2:05 AM



I don't think I've ever read this book but it sounds fantastic. :-) ---Robbie
Comment from krobbie67 - 6/10/04 5:30 AM



Great choice!
Comment from gbgoglo - 6/7/04 11:07 AM



I love "The Prophet."
Comment from sistercdr - 6/7/04 11:02 AM



Now I have to run right out and get a copy of this book. Lis :-]
Comment from mlraminiak - 6/7/04 10:23 AM



It is so true about the joy and sorrow. I have been learning this lesson for a while now. It is only beginning to make real sense to me!
Comment from am4th - 6/7/04 9:42 AM