Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Friday Muse From April 2008

Last night I was going through some of my entries that were made a little over 2 years ago. My journal was started in April of 2008.

This a time that I first started writing online as "One Woman's Journey".... could not use this as my title as I was told it was taken. That name has been in my heart for 45 years. So I went with "My Journey To Mindfulness" .

I read this poem and once again all of my children and grandchildren came to mind - want to share it once again - so true...

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 backward nor tarries with yesterday.

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

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and he bends you with his might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable.

Kahlil Gibran

10 comments:

Beverly said...

so true...so true.

E. Bilien said...

This poem has long been my favourite. It is one of the best parts of the wonderful book entitled "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran.
You can read it here in its entirety:
http://www.geocities.com/
Athens/5484/Gibran.htm
Enjoy!
Nice reading you and watching your beautiful pics.
Joyful strides along your path.

Beth said...

I Love Kahil Gibran. And this is one of my favorite poems by him. It has helped me through the trials I have had with my 2 young adult children. Thanks for posting it!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Tabor said...

I remember reading this years ago when I was much younger just starting to raise my children and I vowed that I would try to follow its philosophy and I have really tried.

Marcie said...

Ernestine,

Thank you for visiting my Quiet Country House. I tried to get here using the link in your email, but couldn't. Fortunately, I was able to arrive via your comment on Cate's blog. I wanted to return your visit, and I'm glad I did. Your blog has a lovely, peaceful feeling. I will be back to visit again! :)

BTW, I love that passage by Gibran. With four children, I have had cause to consider those words of wisdom on many occasions.

~ Aisling

Balisha said...

I read this years ago, when my kids were teenagers. Every once in a while, I would reread it...such wisdom. Balisha

mermaid said...

Thanks for sharing this. A timely reminder that my daughter is really her own being!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Mermaid - I need to read this often. Sometimes we forget. I am pleased it spoke to you
Balisha, thank you for visiting.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Perfectly appropriate for me this past week. Sent my last boy off to college - far away. I'd read long ago that my children are not my children. That it is my job to nurture independent, creative, contributing, responsible members of society. I hope I've given them what they need to attain their goals. To satisfy their desires.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

MLJ - I understand your heart. Have takeen that trip many times.
When they left for school, marriage and another lifestyle far over ocean.