"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 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."

This poem speaks to the importance of embracing all emotions, whether they're joyful or painful. It encourages us to welcome each feeling as a guest, rather than trying to suppress or deny them.

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The flicker of light. by Emily McFarland

I look down the hall past the darkness, and I see a small flicker of light illuminating the room.

I begin to stumble towards it, and surely as I set out the subtle hints of my subconscious start reaching into my mind.

A light so dim it fights to lead the way.

Wobbly and scared I pace my path to make it to that flickering flame.

Self doubt and a feeling of something like despair grabs me. I begin to shake, as

pain and torment begins to haunt me. I make it inches down the hall.

A lost love, a fight to make it back to where my heart stays. A Love so deep that it fights to overcome the adversity of fear.

Step by step I feel the weakness and shakiness that surrounds me.

My mind goes fast as the feelings try to come to stop me.

"You cant, you wont, wasted time, and missed moments."

My mind is racing now with the pressure of the world inside of me.

That little light becomes a silhouette of a child that comes to guide me.

Strength comes, and it is very defining.

A lost love, a lost way. A child comes that seems to be astray.

"Your path must not meet hers or the curses will not break. Shell suffer the same as you. If you make a mistake."

So many words spiral into emotions that are to deep for ones mind to take.

A few more steps forward, and love grabs my hand. That child that seemed like it was up ahead just appeared hand and hand.

We walk threw the darkness, as I look next to me I realize one things for certain. This child must go forward and I have to be

there in what ever way that's best for her to guide her.

A miracle of hope jumps into my skin, and the strength begins to arise from within.

I begin to match her strides this child is in the process of saving my life.

We reach the flame and the darkness disappears. I look into her eyes and I see all of my own fears.

Love so vast it cannot be escaped. The heart of a child can make the innocent begin to break.