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.

Together they come,
and when one sits alone with you,
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 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.

~K Gibran~

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that
encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break,
that its 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 wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart,
even as you have 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.

~K Gibran~

It's impossible.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. (Lk. 18:27)

I'm too tired.
I WILL GIVE YOU REST. (Mat. 11:28-30)

Nobody really loves me.
I LOVE YOU. (Jn. 3:16)

I can't go on.
MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. (II Cor. 12:19)

I can't figure things out.
I WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS. (Prov. 20:24)

I can't do it.
YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS. (Phil. 4:13)

I'm not able.
I AM ABLE. (II Cor. 9:8)

It's not worth it.
IT WILL BE WORTH IT. (Rom. 8:28)

I can't forgive myself.
I FORGIVE YOU. (I Jn. 1:9 & Rom. 8:1)

I can't manage.
I WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS. (Phil. 4:19)

I'm afraid.
I HAVE NOT GIVEN YOU A SPIRIT OF FEAR.
(II Tim. 1:7)

I'm always worried and frustrated.
CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON ME. (I Pet. 5:7)

I don't have enough faith.
I'VE GIVEN EVERYONE A MEASURE OF FAITH.
(Rom. 12:8)

I'm not smart enough.
I GIVE YOU WISDOM. (I Cor. 1:30)

I feel all alone.
I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.
(Heb. 13:5)