Our Spiritual Parents

Joy and sorrow are never separated.
When our hearts rejoice at a spectacular view, we may miss our friends who cannot see it, and when we are overwhelmed with grief, we may discover what true friendship is all about.
Joy is hidden in sorrow and sorrow in joy.
If we try to avoid sorrow at all costs, we may never taste joy, and if we are suspicious of ecstasy, agony can never reach us either.
Joy and sorrow are the parents of our spiritual growth.

-- Henri Nouwen