Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.   
The same well from which your laughter rises 
was often times 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 hallowed 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.
—Kahlil Gibran

We will meet next week to consider death, the endings we experience in our lives, and the possible ending of the world or of humankind. If you can share some of your thoughts through a drawing or collage, please do. You may want to tell a personal story as well as share ideas.

What thoughts do you have of your own death?

What endings have you experienced in your life?

Do you have symbols that have marked those endings?

What helps you through endings?

What meaning do you make of these endings?

What follows the endings?