Kahlil Gibran....Children (from The prophet)

[helenwyler]

I know it's quite well-known, but I first read this as a teenager and loved it because it chimed in with my need to to be myself:mad:...

...and now, as a mother of teenagers, it's helped me get things in perspective from the 'other side' :roll:!!


"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing
for itself.

They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong
not to you.

You may give them your love but not your
thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not
to make them like you.

For life goes not not backward nor tarries with
yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth..."

[Lavenderblue2]

Helenwyler, I was given The Prophet by a very dear friend – its readings are so calm and reassuring. I have chosen ‘Friendship’ in thanks to my friend.


And of Friendship he says…

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field when you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the ‘nay’ in your own mind, nor do you withhold the ‘ay’.

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to your heart;

For with our words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part with your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountains to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For the love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of its pleasures.

For in the dew if little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

LB :)

[helenwyler]

Thanks for reminding me of that lovely one LB:)!

Happy reading!

Helen