of joy and sorrow

There is a poet named Kahlil Gibran who knew precisely how I feel. And while there are moments of error in his philosophy, it would do us good to know that all truth is God's truth. And today, I heard God through him...I hope that it mends your soul as it did mine:

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that hold 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 you 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. "

from The Prohet