Rumi -Written in the 15th Century

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 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

Transferred from an old blog - here were the responses:

jinksy said...: Is that where my laughter comes from?! Look out - you'll get sprayed!; September 23, 2009 at 11:11:00 AM CDT
Renee said...: Sydney, thank you for always caring about what is going on with me. And for loving Sheldon too.

Love Renee xoxo; September 25, 2009 at 9:49:00 PM CDT
Laurie said...: funny that I found this today, the day I need to read it.

Thank you!; October 7, 2009 at 1:27:00 PM CDT

Comments

More Notes from Paris, Part Two

A sample of notes I made when I lived in Paris for a short time when I was 30. Still editing... A continuation from the first installment, found HERE.
(disclaimer: forgive this site's formatting issues)
Notes from Paris This material is original and not to be duplicated or used in any way without the authors permission.

DRAWING AT L’ ACADEMIE de la GRANDE CHAUMIERE or... A ROOM WITH QUITE A VIEWI relinquished speech completely in trade for the chance to spend an afternoon -
and as it ended up, several more - drawing live models with a room full of strangers. The entire time I said not one word.
I was hiding in plain sight.
I found my way to a door that led to an archway, that brought me intoa hall with more doors, one of which was ajar. There was a man, wearing glasses and a vest buttoned over a rumpled white shirt, standing at it's entrance,his back pressed against the frame, greeting the people trickling past him into a classroom. I walked beyond that door at a distance, …

JUST DO IT: National Novel Writing Month

November is National Novel Writing month. Did you know that?

I want to encourage people who are thinking of doing NANO to do it. It's described as "a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30... for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel." (more on the NANO website) And I will add - or writing anything, and meeting others who are doing the same. I've been contacted by a few writing friends who are hesitant so I want anyone else out there to know:
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Principles of Adult Behavior" - John Perry Barlow

A must read, a fine checklist. Pass it around at the office :)

1. Be patient. No matter what.
2. Don’t badmouth: Assign responsibility, not blame. Say nothing of another you wouldn’t say to him or her.
3. Never assume the motives of others are, to them, less noble than yours are to you.
4. Expand your sense of the possible.
5. Don’t trouble yourself with matters you truly cannot change.
6. Expect no more of anyone than you can deliver yourself.
7. Tolerate ambiguity.
8. Laugh at yourself frequently.
9. Concern yourself with what is right rather than who is right.
10. Never forget that, no matter how certain, you might be wrong.
11. Give up blood sports.
12. Remember that your life belongs to others as well. Don’t risk it frivolously.
13. Never lie to anyone for any reason.
14. Learn the needs of those around you and respect them.
15. Avoid the pursuit of happiness. Seek to define your mission and pursue that.
16. Reduce your use of the first personal pronoun.
17. Praise at least as often as you dispar…

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