Preoccupations

"Everything that comes and is a source of preoccupation diverts you from God,
Rejoice in Him, do not rejoice in anything but Him: God is as the spring, and all other things are as the month of December.
Everything other than God is the means of leading you gradually to perdition, even though it is your throne, your kingdom and your crown.
Rejoice in sorrow, for sorrow is the means of attaining union with God: in this Way the ascent is downwards....
You must set foot in the plain of the heart and spirit.
The heart is the abode of security, O friends, it has fountains and rose gardens within rose gardens.
Turn towards the heart and journey on, O night-travelers : therein are trees and many a flowing spring.
On whatsoever thing that God's radiance may fall on, you become in love with that thing, O brave one.
On whatsoever existence thing your love is bestowed, that thing is gilded with Divine qualities."

Rumi (Vol. 3, from 506-553)

Commentary: Rumi calls us "night-travelers", usually lost, and unable to get our bearings; easily preoccupied, and always neglecting to see the source of beauty within the people and the things we love. On this spiritual journey, we are encouraged to see past the forms, and to draw closer to the Giver.