Inside Anger...Joyful Radiance...

The light you give off
Did not come from a pelvis.
Your features did not begin in semen.
Do not try to hide inside anger.
Radiance that cannot be hidden.
                                A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings
                                Rumi [David Banks, ed.]
     Rumi's reflection today had been beyond my understanding.  I was born into a logical, rational life.  Inside anger, and joyful radiance must be tempered--reserved.  Anger and radiance may be revealed only under moments of tight control, and certainty.  Or, so I learned.  So I believed to be the only possible way to live a decent life.
     There is a huge difference between Minnesota Nice--putting a smile to cover up frustrations, hostilities, aggressive feelings--and radiance.  Minnesota Nice is Politeness's child.  Politeness is shallow.  Politeness is deep only in the depth of her insult to her recipient.
    There is a huge difference between happy and joyful.  I am not--I refuse to be--a happy person.  Happy is shallow.  Happy is an unwilling companion to challenge.  Happy welcomes no adventure--no lessons from challenge.
    Joyful listens, hears, feels, mourns, celebrates, and shares with all who meet her.  Joy and Radiance are intimates.  Joyful Radiance are partners of the soul.   May we be agents of Joyful Radiance.