A Blessing For One Who Is Exhausted

When last month's newsletter was published, many of you reached out to me with much humour and encouragement.  One of my friends, Julie Garrigan, dug up a poem by John O'Donohue that I'd like to share - it's BEAUTIFUL!!!When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,Time takes on the strain until it breaks;Then all the unattended stress falls inOn the mind like an endless, increasing weight,The light in the mind becomes dim.Things you could take in your stride beforeNow become laborsome events of will.Weariness invades your spirit.Gravity begins falling inside you,Dragging down every bone.The tide you never valued has gone out.Ad you are marooned on unsure ground.Something within you has closed down;And you cannot push yourself back to life.You have been forced to enter empty time.The desire that drove you has relinquished.There is nothing else to do now but restAnd patiently learn to receive the selfYou have forsaken for the race of days.At first your thinking will darkenAnd sadness takes over like listless weather;The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.You have traveled too fast over false ground;Now your soul has come to take you back.Take refuse in your senses, open upTo all of the small miracles you rushed through.Become inclined to watch the way of rainWhen it falls slow and free.Imitate the habit of twilight,Taking time to open the well of colorThat fostered the brightness of day.Draw alongside the silence of stoneUntil its calmness can claim you.Be excessively gentle with yourself.Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.Learn to linger around someone of easeWho feels they have all the time in the world.Gradually, you will return to yourself,Having learned a new respect for your heartAnd the joy that dwells far within slow time.