On Joy and Sorrow

Last night as I celebrated a new year, I noted that Kragen has undergone a process of continual improvement in the years I've known him, and I thought that was impressive, because I don't think most people strive to continually improve over the course of years.

I didn't know why most people don't strive to continually improve, and Kragen offered three potential reasons:

1. They're comfortable.
2. They're distracted. And/or,
3. They're afraid.

Kragen also referred me to Kahlil Gibran Prophet passage, "On 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 hold 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 a 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.

I wonder what it all means...

Comments

[Lisa Dusseault]

People who strive to continually improve often make those around them uncomfortable. I guess this leads to the "fear" barrier, but at least it's an illustration that there might actually be something to fear if you follow this path.

[Adam]

Lisa, this reminds me of Dr. Ernie's Difficult Law (#12), which says,

Of course doing good is hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

I also like Dr. Ernie's Questionable Law (#5), which says,

Answers are easy. Finding the right question is hard.

So much wisdom is out there, if we're willing to look...