1st time

I've been unable to motivate and get Microsoft Office on my computer.  I contemplated writing while on gmail but figured that was too distracting. Is there a new email? Who's on gchat? 

So, a blog it is.

My title is pretty stereotypical, self-involved and angsty. And I don't think it helps that Bright Eyes happens to be crooning from my computer right now.

I've been so inspired by Kahlil Gibran lately. My title comes from his section "On Joy and Sorrow". Having just discovered The Prophet and constantly asking friends and family if they have been so lucky to read his writings,, it seems like everyone forces themselves to plough through it as part of their required reading in school. But, if you have the opportunity to revisit it at the right time... wow- does it speak to me.  

*****

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

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 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 at your board, 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.

*****

Won't it be nice if and when my fingers can fly across the keyboard with my own thoughts as well as they do when I am faithfully copying down the soothing ideas of others.

Apparently it took Gibran four years to write The Prophet, a book filled with such seemingly simple ideas yet they resonate with your deepest secrets and emotions. Blogging on the other hand has such pressure to produce produce produce without as much respect for quality. I want to keep it as slow as possible and let ideas generate naturally. Who knows? I am just doing this for myself- though I do live in a constant state of wondering if there is an audidence, who is watching, reading.

Well, here's to the 1st time.