Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The invitation...

This 'invitation' can be interpreted in a few different ways, depending on 'what page you are on'.  It was given to me at a tough time in my life.  From time to time, memories flood back, and we're forced to 'adjust our stance' and find firm new ground.  I've always referred  back to it when the need arises.  Hope you find something in it too. 


"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.  I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.  I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.  I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.  I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it of fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.  I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself;  if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul;  if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the moon, "yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.  I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.  I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.  I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.
I hope you have a happy day.
Jane x

8 comments:

  1. Thank-you for sharing this, it is just what I need at this moment!

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  2. i love this too,...
    yes, no shrinking...
    but right into fire,
    awakeness, l i v i n g!

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  3. Oh the things that are truly important....

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  4. Thank you for sharing Jane - it's just perfect.

    Jodie

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  5. Oh how perfect I just love this. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Beautiful! And these are just some of the things I love so much about you! XXXX

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  7. This is lovely. I haven't read it before.
    Thanks for coming by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment. I do hope you like it and I can't wait to have a better browse through your little online space.

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  8. This is wonderful Jane. Thank you for sharing it. Would you mind if I pay it forward and share it on my blog? Thanks, cheers, Deb

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