your pain is the breaking of the shell

your pain is the breaking of the shell 

that encloses your understanding 

even as the stone of the fruit must break, 

that it's heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain 

and could you keep your heart in wonder 

at the daily miracles of your life, 

your pain would not seem less wonderous than your joy; 

and you would accept the seasons of your heart, 

even as you have always accepted the seasons 

that pass over your fields. 

and you would watch with serenity 

through the winters of your grief 

much of your pain is self-chosen 

it is the bitter potion by which the physician 

within you heals your sick self 

therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy 

in silence and tranquility;; 

for his hand, though heavy and hard, 

is guided by the tender hand of the unseen, 

and the cup he brings, 

though it burn your lips, 

has been fashioned of the clay 

which the Potter has 

moistened 

with His own 

sacred tears." 

-kahil gibran in "the prophet"