Kahlil Gibran was born into a Maronite Catholic family in northern Mount Lebanon, a semi-autonomous part of the Ottoman Empire, in 1883, Gibran received no formal education, but was taught by a local priest. When he was 12, he emigrated with his siblings and mother to Boston, Massachussetts. There, Gibran’s art teacher noticed his abilities and found support for him in the Boston art scene.  When he was 15, his mother sent Gibran back to Lebanon to complete his education.

He held his first exhibition in Boston when he was 21 and, apart from his art, he wrote poetry and novels in Arabic and then in English.  The Prophet, written in English, was published when he was 40.  He published more novels, but his health was failing and he died of cirrhosis of the liver and tuberculosis in 1931 in New York City, at the age of 48.  According to his wishes, he was burred in Lebanon.

Kahlil Gibran on Love


  When love beckons to you, follow him. 

  Though his ways are hard and steep.

  And When his wings enfold you yield to him, 

  Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

  And When he speaks to you believe in him, 


For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.




Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free your from your husks.

He grinds you to whiteness.

He kneads you until you are pliant;





Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.



Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.



To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.


To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude;


***All of the above is included in Kahlil Gibrans book, The Prophet.

I was introduced to the writings of Kahlil Gibran twice in my life.  The first time was when I lost my beloved pet, Freddy.  A good friend and co-worker send me an email message of sympathy with a very lovely quote from Kahlil.  Due to the pain I felt for the loss of my pet, I don’t believe I was ready to receive the message and consciously connect with his writings at that time.  The second time I was introduced to Kahlil’s writings was through another co-worker who read me excerpts from the book, The Prophet.  This time, I was ready to really listen and hear his words.  I was moved and went and purchased the book immediately.  I couldn’t believe that someone could write such words and have them complete move me.

In The Prophet, Kahlil shares his thoughts, ideas and words on love, marriage, children, eating and drinking, living, work, joy and sorrow, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, houses, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.  I take much comfort each time I pick up The Prophet and read his words as it reminds me how important it is to live in each moment and to enjoy that very moment you are in.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!


Today – I was introduced to Kahlil Gibran by a friend at work.  I was amazed that I have never heard of him before.  She read a passage from his book Prophet” and I was completly mesmerized by the beauty of his words.

I told Suzanne (the friend who introduced me to Kahlil Gibran) that I believed it was no coincidence that she shared his work with me at that precise moment, just as she was introduced to him so many years prior.  These moments happen for a reason – they enter our lives because we are ready to receive whatever messages the universe is trying to give to us.  For me – it is to share his profound and positive words with all of you.  I look forward to reading the rest of his book(s) and I hope that his words move you as much as they have moved me.  Here is a passage from the book “Prophet”:


And he answered:




You are good when you are one with yourself.




You are good when you strive to give of yourself.

Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself.




You are good when you are fully awake in your speech,


And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.


Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping.

Even those who limp go not backward.



You are only loitering and sluggard.

Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles.






Kahlil Gibran’s words are inspirational and are examples of what we, as a positive global consciousness, can help create in our world today!

Thank you Suzanne for introducing me to such a wonderful poet/author.  Your own personal life reflections and experiences inspire me and am a grateful that you have allowed me to experience your past memories through your recollections.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!