Regardless of what first introduced you to the famous poet Rumi, a passage in a book, a documentary, a trip to Turkey, or a biography on the internet, this famous historical figure is destined to leave his impact on our existence once we have known him. Many people travel around the world to visit Rumi's city "Konya", so I wondered whether it is only the poetry of this person that makes him famous in the world's history or whether there are other aspects to learn from his life.

My first introduction to this historical figure that left an impact on me was through reading the novel "Sufi My Love", a book by Elif Shafak telling the story of a woman Ella who after forty years of a comfortable life, without glitter or passion, Ella did not imagine one day changing her destiny. Hired as a reader, she discovered a manuscript recounting the thirteenth-century meeting of the poet Rûmi with the most famous dervish of the Muslim world. It was a revelation for her. She was drawn into Sufism and the splendor of love after being fascinated by this narrative.

This novel introduces you to this historical unique character creating in you the desire to know him more and especially to learn from his philosophy in life. Here are a few of the life's wonders that I believe I have learnt from this poet's journey and that I feel are vital to share.

Jalâl ad-Dîn Rûmî is a Persian Muslim scholar (Balkh, September 30, 1207 - Konya, December 17, 1273) who deeply influenced Sufism. A Persian poet, Islamic scholar, theologian, and spiritual teacher, Rumi is a best-selling poet in the United States and has given us a unique perspective on the universe and life. Here are ten life-changing lessons learned from Rumi’s poetry.

Don’t avoid difficult experiences, they are the best teachers

The hurt is where the light enters you.

Those pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them.

You must keep breaking your heart until it opens.

The moon stays bright when it doesn't avoid the night.

What hurts you, blesses you. The darkness is your candle.

Don't turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place. That is where the light enters you.

Don’t let things outside of you control your emotions

If you are irritated by every rub, how are you going to be polite?

Don't grieve. Everything you lose takes on another form.

Leave a legacy worth remembering

Forget about security. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious.

Don’t act so small when you have the whole universe inside you

Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.

Become the sky. Bring an axe to the prison wall. Escape.

Focus on yourself and the whole world will appear differently

Yesterday I was smart, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I change myself

Always follow your heart, it will take you where you need to go

Let yourself be drawn silently into the power of what you truly love.

When you do things with your soul, you feel a river moving within you, a joy.

Here you have a purpose far beyond what you have been told

There is a candle in your heart, ready to be lit. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don't you?

Love is everything

It is only from the heart that you can touch the sky.

This is love: flying to a secret sky, dropping a hundred sails every moment. First to give up life. Finally taking a step without feet.

Rise to your potential

You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and confidence. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You were not made to crawl, so do not. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.

You were born with wings, why would you prefer to crawl through life?

Be like the sun for grace and mercy. Be like the night for covering the faults of others. Be like running water for generosity. Be like death for rage and anger. Be like the earth for modesty. Appear as you are. Be as you appear.

Find people who will light your way

Ignore those who make you afraid and sad, who degrade you to sickness and death.

Set your life on fire. Seek out those who fuel your flames.

These are just ten of the many life lessons Rumi offered to us to reflect on and internalize. Rumi is more than just a poet; he is a man who has left profound teachings that have illuminated the lives of countless people. He is like a school that one never wants to leave. Reading his poems will be sufficient to allow you to experience his rivers of wisdom. His poetry is more for contemplation and reflection beyond just reading.