February: On Life

February 17

Today's reflection was inspired by Jalāl al-Dīn Rumi's poem "The Guest House."

Will today be a good day? Or a bad day?

What a notion!

How will I feel today? Happy, sad, weird? I'm hoping for happy, because I should be happy, right?

What a notion!

Your body and mind are a guest house, and they're open to every emotion you can possibly feel--24/7. At any point on any day you can go from sad to happy or happy to sad or sad to indifferent and all the rest, and that's ok. It's how it is for us humans.

But when "uncomfortable" emotions stroll in for a stay, don't lock them out or hurry them along, welcome them and spend some time with them. Because they are just as much a part of you as the "comfortable" ones. 

What a notion!

• Reflection title: Be My Guest
• Creative inspiration: Jalāl al-Dīn Rumi, "The Guest House."
• Reflection Question: What emotions haven’t I welcomed in lately? How can I be grateful for whoever comes to my guest house for a visit?