Rumi: The Guest House and Thomas Edison

Quakers don't usually do wakes, and certainly not wakes as a series of prose hiccups all over a blog. Yet, that is what we have.

The Friend RantWoman has called The Safest Sex Offender On the Planet passed away in the fall. His passing was well accompanied by many retired health professionals serving on a care committee. A memorial has now, in typical dawdling fashion, been scheduled. Between the memorial, the collision of multiple religious holidays on the calendar, the windup of an interesting project in RantWoman's life, state of society seasoning, the press of news streams, and Life, RantWoman's supply of spiritual popcorn kernels is running stronger than average. Probably holding it all in the Light  would be a good start. 

RantWoman does not promise a great deal specifically about the safest sex offender...more travelogue of RantWoman's experience on the journey

First, the prompt from a recent FCNL Witness Wednesday.

The Guest House

By Jalaluddin 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.

 

And from a wrap-up event for The Blind Leaders Development program, paraphrasing:

Thomas Edison: It's not failing. Sometimes it just takes 10,000 tries to make things work.

RantWoman, WHY must you open the electronic wake with these texts? 

Stay tuned!?!?!