Intentional Work, LLC

Joy and Sorrow

Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered: 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.

KAHLIL GIBRAN

It may seem a bit esoteric for a Monday, but humor me and just experiment with it. It's been a roller coaster for me these last few months and for several of my clients. This poem felt very appropriate as I remember, and remind my clients, that joy and sorrow are like twin sisters. They have the same mother (life!) and sometimes look so alike it's hard to tell (tears comes in both instances).  Both are important to express. We need both. This is why I love Gibran's poem.

This poem is a good reminder that both joy and sorrow are great benchmarks in time. Being numb is like being in a cloud, in fog. There's nothing there to mark time, to remember. Joy and sorrow are intentional emotions that can bring us back to a place in time and cement in our minds a time in our lives. We are here to live not to be numb. Certainly we'd all like more joy, and many may disagree with me, but that's a choice. To find joy, even in sorrow, is a learned skill. But it can be learned, and joy can be the emotion you chose when you are done feeling sorrow.

I choose to be grateful that I'm able to feel both joy and sorrow. And today I choose joy.

What about you? What do you think? Do we really need sorrow?

Here's to more life!

-Sylvia