A dear friend shared this amazing piece with me yesterday, and I had to share it. It was in response to yesterday’s post, Untold Story.
And this photo I took on a brief walk yesterday afternoon seemed to perfectly align with the message in the poem.
On Joy and Sorrow
Kahlil Gibran
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 holds 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.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 
Beautiful capture =)
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You’re right, perfect photo (love your pics) with this profound quote. Thanks for giving me something beautiful to contemplate.
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Hi Jodi,
One of my best friends on the planet gave me Gibran’s “The Prophet” probably 30 years ago now. The particular quote you shared with us is from that book. If you ever have a chance to read it, do. HIs thoughts on marriage and children are so powerful. When BH and I married, Gibran’s passage on marriage was part of our ceremony. XXX
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Thanks, Barbara. As soon as my friend shared this, I looked up the book and immediately ordered it on Amazon. Thanks for “seconding” the recommendation as I am looking forward to getting it and reading it! Have a great day!
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You know, Jodi, it’s not the kind of book I sit down and read. It’s one of those that you pick up over and over through the years when things happen. I’ll be curious what you think about his views on children. It’s been the gift that kept on giving for me, that’s for sure.
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can’t wait – and i like that kind of book 🙂
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When I was in college I read a lot of Kahil Gibran’s literature. He is very wise and also a bit melancholy. I agree with him. In our world, you cannot know joy unless you also know sorrow. If I remember correctly Kahil Gibran is Islamic. Considering what is happening in our world today, do you find this thought a bit disturbing? “When we are void of both joy and sorrow we are balanced.” ??? This just occurred to me as I read your lovely post (as always lovely posts). I hope you are feeling much much better and that you have a wonderful happy day! ((Hugs!!)) xoxo
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That line did challenge me out of the whole piece PJ. I think he is not “touting” balance as we think of balance. Maybe he is just saying balance as in a “not joy or not sorrow” place, which is a place we rarely are. We usually lean one way or the other more as we go through life, days, hours, mins 🙂 Just an interesting, though-provoking piece. The main point I got out of it is how can we realize joy if we don’t understand sorrow. Maybe I am too simplistic! 🙂 Gotta get moving here, but thanks for your insight!
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I’m too simplistic too. I just couldn’t help seeing how those words are playing out (somewhat) in the situation with the world now. It was only a thought. I know that Kahil Gibran (or believe) that he wrote from a heart of love and peace and not of war and terrorism.
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KAHIL WAS BORN AND RAISED IN A MARONITE CATHOLIC FAMILY..HIS LATER VIEWS WERE MORE ENCOMPASSING AND PANTHTHEISTIC IN NATURE….EG…HIS VIEW ON RELIGION IN THE PROPHET…
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Thank you! I stand corrected. It has been many years since I read his books (more years than I care to admit). At the time I was having to do research on a religion for a class I was taking and the religion assignment given to me was Islam. It was during this time that I read his book/s and found they both seemed to flow together. This may be where I got that he was Islamic. No matter, you have corrected me and I appreciate it. Thank you again.
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“The Prophet” is a book I bought many years ago…this reading is so true, we just never stop to realize it! I need to reread Gibran’s work!
What a beautiful, yet simple photo…
Have a great day my friend!
Char
❤
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I can’t wait to read myself, Char! Thanks for checking in! xo
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Great post Jodi! Thank you for sharing Gibran’s words and another beautiful image. Again, perfectly matched.
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Awh Shucks, thanks Jo! 🙂
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Perfect, perfect. Photo and verse. Wonderful marriage of the two, and how thought provoking is this? I can always count on your morning message to make me stop and think, or smile, or … feel. It’s as constant as the sunrise. Way to go, Jodi. 🙂
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Wow! What a compliment!!! Thank you Laura for making my day!! 🙂
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If you have not read gilbran you are missing a wonderful read. There is so much to think about. Even the shortest of his writings. My favorite is the one about our children. Hugs to you and Marty.
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I’ve ordered “The Prophet” on Amazon Prime just last night, so am looking forward to it, Kathleen. You are the second person to mention the part about our children, so I can’t wait to see what it says. xo
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I was going to ask if you had a copy. I was going to order one for you. Too late. I know you will love the book. It is shoot and not read in one sitting. It is something that you go back to often.
Miss you(and Arty)and the Brugnolis
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That is from his book The Prophet, I received it as a graduation gift from my sister-in-law. I’ve loved it since. Beautiful, poetic and thoughtful. You must read the part On Children.
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I cannot wait for it to come as you are the third person to mention the part on children! I’ve ordered it. Thanks Mary!! Sounds like I’ve been missing out on some good stuff all this time 🙂
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Gibran is so right – beautiful words and shot.
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Gibran writes some beautiful work. Your photo is also radiant. 💙
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Reblogged this on SweetReds Suzie and commented:
I love this and had to share with everyone. Please be sure to visit Jodi’s blog Life In Between.
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I’m very flattered that you wanted to share. Thank you Suzetta! 🙂
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Lovely, so much so I had to pass this along to my friends. Sweet Hugs xo
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Thank you Suzette! 😊
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Jodi,
You are an inspiration for my day.
I thank you for this.
Terry
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What a sweet thing to say. Thank YOU Terry!
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