As I was ending my day yesterday, I came across one of the most well-known poems by the poet and philosopher Rumi, which filled me with thoughts. So, I decided to share them with you. For those who don’t know it — or wish to be reminded of it — the poem is called ‘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.

This poem was written in the 13th century, yet as I read it, I felt its deep timelessness.
I sense that in our modern age, we’ve learned to push away our difficult emotions.
Instead of welcoming them, we bury them; instead of observing them, we avoid them.
Anything that doesn’t resemble joy, we tend to label as “negative,” “dangerous,” or “undesirable.”

Our brain is wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
However, I believe the problem today has also taken on social dimensions.
We live in a world of ever-increasing “quick reward” options — one that promotes toxic positivity and, directly or indirectly, pressures us to appear “strong” and “cheerful,” keeping up a façade of happiness and optimism even in the face of pain and hardship.

Of course, I don’t mean that it’s unhealthy to feel positive emotions — far from it.
Joy, gratitude, love, acceptance, forgiveness — these are all nourishing, healing emotions that have a deeply restorative effect on our system, and they deserve to be welcomed (as the poem itself reminds us) with open arms.

But — and this is the point I want to emphasize — we must welcome our darker emotions just as warmly.
Because they, too, have something to tell us.
Sadness, pain, and anger exist for a reason; and if we don’t develop a deep awareness of them, we’ll never truly be able to face or transform them.
It takes time, patience, and sometimes external support, but it is a profoundly courageous act of self-care.
Bringing our shadows to the surface opens the crack of light that each of us carries inside.
As Rumi said — it makes room “for a new joy.”

I know — it’s not easy.
We’re afraid of the unknown.
What if we open “Pandora’s box”? What if we can’t handle what comes out?
Often, we choose to bury difficult emotions through habits that offer only temporary relief — alcohol, addictions, endless scrolling through social media until we’re numb, until we forget, until we stop feeling altogether.

And yet, things aren’t as frightening as they seem — pain softens the more we sit with it, the more we truly feel it, the more we let it tell its story.
Accepting our emotions can start with something simple — naming them.
For example: “Right now, I feel anger.”
Then we can ask ourselves: “Why?” “Am I saying ‘yes’ to things I don’t really want?” “Am I ignoring my needs?”
We can also tune into our body: “Where do I feel this tension?” “What is it trying to tell me?” “What could I do to release my anger instead of hiding it once again?”

There are many creative and healthy ways to express our emotions: writing, painting, walking in nature, exercising, or talking with someone we trust.
All of these can help ground, release, and ultimately transform emotion into something new — restoring our inner balance.
And of course, whenever we feel overwhelmed, it’s always wise to seek support from a qualified professional.

NOTE: The texts I write here are intended purely for educational purposes and should never replace medical or psychotherapeutic advice.
If you feel you need support, please reach out to a trained mental health professional.