Growing through hardships (Quotes to live by)
This week we are sharing some favourite excerpts from Rumi.
Today's is about the necessity of hardship and difficulty to polish and unearth the diamond within.
Rumi says:
If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?
He also talks about welcoming rather than escaping from sorrow:
Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place. (<3)
There is a beautiful passage about the potential of spiritual growth in adversity in Elizabeth's Lesser's delicious book Broken Open. (HIGHLY recommended reading!)
She writes:
May you listen to the voice within the beat even when you are tired.
When you feel yourself breaking down, may you break open instead.
May every experience in life be a door that opens your heart, expands your understanding, and leads you to freedom.
If you are weary, may you be aroused by passion and purpose. If you are blameful and bitter, may you be sweetened by hope and humor. If you are frightened, may you be emboldened by a big consciousness far wiser than your fear. If you are lonely, may you find love, may you find friendship. If you are lost, may you understand that we are all lost, and still we are guided—by Strange Angels and Sleeping Giants, by our better and kinder natures, by the vibrant voice within the beat.
May you follow that voice, for This is the way—the hero's journey, the life worth living, the reason we are here.
From Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help us Grow.
Here is a great introduction to Rumi's timeless verses:
The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks
Join our blog!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.