Setting life free with Rumi :)

A little while back, I was going through my not-so-regularly-maintained online posts, I came across a thought I had jotted down a couple of weeks ago. The interesting thing was, however, that after I had finished reading it, the very next thing I came across (on someone else's page)was a poem of Rumi. It was a very pleasing coincidence, to say the least. :)

Setting Life Free

I just so much want to believe that we do not interpret the one cherished bit of our imagined "should-be's", as Life. The thought of being obsessed with a fragment of my own imagination, however intellect I believe it to be, so much so that it creates a fanciful burlesque fantasy for me, freaks me out to the bones. Since the real life, the one that flows all around, and even within and without us, does not comply to the diction of our assumed versions of life, we end up feeling disappointed, betrayed and wronged.

Let life be free from the compulsion of an essential pursuit of happiness. Let life come to you as it is. Let it embrace you with open arms just like that and let us all celebrate the beauty of it as it is. 

We stop seeing the true colour of life when all what we do is wait, or want, or whine about missing the rosy happy-faced life. We limit our vision by not permitting our self to cherish every shade of life. We become colour blind and thus let so many precious moments of life slip through our fingers: moments , each of which could suffice the entire length of our existence. Moments which, if we had not turned blind to, could change the course of our lives. Moments, that could teach us so many new paths leading to so many new horizons, opening up so many new vistas.Only if we stop looking for happiness and start living each day as it is. Only if we allow ourselves the luxury of letting ourself free from the self imposed compulsions!!!

The Guest House....By Rumi

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're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its 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~translation by Coleman Barks)