عندما تجد القابلة أن الحبلى لا تتألم أثناء المخاض، فإنها تعرف أن الطريق ليس سالكا بعد لوليدها، فلن تضع وليدها إذن ولكي تولد نفس جديدة، يجب أن يكون أل… - Elif Şafak

وكما يحتاج الصلصال إلي حرارة عالية ليشتد ّفالحب لا يكتمل إلا بالألم.

Forty is a most beautiful age for both men and women. Did you know that in mystic thought forty symbolizes the ascent from one level to a higher one and spiritual awakening? When we mourn we mourn for forty days. When a baby is born it takes
forty days for him to get ready to start life on earth. And when we are in love we need to wait for forty days to be sure of our feelings.
The Flood of Noah lasted forty days, and while the waters destroyed life, they also washed all impurity away and enabled human beings to make a new, fresh start. In Islamic mysticism there are forty degrees between man and God. Likewise, there are four basic stages of consciousness and ten degrees in each, making forty levels in total. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and nights. Muhammad was forty years old when he received the call to become a prophet. Buddha meditated under a linden tree for forty days. Not to mention the forty rules of Shams.
You receive a new mission at forty, a new lease on life! You have reached a most auspicious number. Congratulations! And don’t worry about getting old. There are no wrinkles or gray hair strong enough to defy the power of forty!

"For despite what some people say, love is not a sweet feeling bound to come and quickly go away. In many ways the twenty-first century is not that different from the thirteenth century. Both will be recorded in history as times of unprecedented religious clashes, cultural misunderstandings, and a general sense of insecurity and fear of the Other. At times like these, the need for love is greater than ever. Because love is the very essence and purpose of life. As Rumi reminds us, it hits everybody, including those who shun love - even those who use the word "romantic" as a sign of disapproval."

التحدي الحقيقي هو أن يحب المرء الأشياء الجيدة والسيئة معاً لا لأنه يجب أن يتقبل الأشياء بحلوها ومرها؛ بل لأنه يجب أن يتجاوز هذه الأوصاف وأن يتقبل الحب برمته.