Of Joy and Sorrow

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 it not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the Potters oven?
And is it not the loot that sooths 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 into your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

Kahlil Gibran