The Guest House - Welcome and entertain them All!
Thoughts and Emotions
Thoughts and emotions are crazy, messy, and often unpredictable.
“The results of a 2020 study suggested people typically have more than 6,000 thoughts per day.”
I have had countless people tell me that they overthink. As soon as it is said, I wonder if overthinking is even a real thing. I don’t know that the number of daily thoughts we have is significant in any way. However, I do believe the quality of our thoughts matters a huge deal.
When our thoughts pick fault with other thoughts. When we judge, belittle, and internally beat ourselves up. When we replay our actions or the actions of others over and over again. We become stuck.
Non-acceptance is also rarely useful. As Carol Rogers famously said: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change.”
I love the following poem by Rumi as it reminds me that whatever I am feeling or thinking, it’s okay, Each thought or feeling offers a new opportunity.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
by Rumi
Cherry Tree Centre in Henley has a team of therapists who can help you whether you want to learn to accept your thoughts and feelings or challenge negative thought patterns.
Contact us below or email info@cherrytreecentre.com