INSPIRING POEM – “The Guest House”, By Rumi – Legends Report

Image from Wikipedia

By Sukh Singh, Associate Partner & Mentorship Coach, Lighthouse International

Have you ever heard the phrase, “I can be my own worst enemy”?

Or how about “I really beat myself up about that mistake”?

What about “I always do stuff for others, but never for me”?

These might seem like little throwaway comments that we use almost daily, but what if we paused for a second to think about how that would sound if it was about someone else…

“That person is my worst enemy.”

“They always beat me up when I make a mistake.”

“They look after other people, but never after me.”

Would we really want to be around that person?? To most of us, it would sound like a toxic, unhealthy relationship that we need to get out of!!

One thing that most legends can say is that they have learned to literally become their own best friend. Someone who is compassionate, understanding, forgiving, and open-minded, but firm and strong when needed.

This poem below is all about that. Instead of fighting with ourselves and resisting the feelings or thoughts we have, as an emerging best-friend, we really ought to have more understanding and compassion for ourselves…

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 honourably.
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

When we treat ourselves the way we want others to treat us, then we have something incredibly powerful; a healthy, positive, empowering relationship with ourselves. When we don’t have that, we end up fighting and arguing with those closest to us. But when we do have that relationship with ourselves, it means we can truly have the same with other people. Very few people in our world have a genuinely healthy relationship with self – that’s why there are so few true legends – for now…

Here’s a great video from researcher and author Brené Brown on letting go of the harsh stories we tell ourselves.

What one quality would you look for in a best friend? Share in the comments below…