While they are, by definition, new, beginnings do not appear out of thin air. They are part of a more extensive cycle of life, whether that’s naturally organic or ideas.
As John O’Donohue writes in his introduction to the first part of Benedictus: A Book of Blessings – ‘All our beginnings happen with this continuity.’
This offers us a different perspective on beginnings – as something into which we must grow and stretch:
‘When we arrive into the world, we enter this ancient sequence. All our beginnings happen within this continuity. Beginnings often frighten us because they seem like lonely voyages into the unknown. Yet, in truth, no beginning is empty or isolated. We seem to think that beginning is a setting out from a lonely point along some line of direction into the unknown. This is not the case. Shelter and energy come alive when a beginning is embraced. Goethe says that once the commitment is made, destiny conspires with us to support and realise it. We are never as alone in our beginnings as it might seem at the time. A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open towards the gifts and growth that are stored up for us. To refuse to begin can be an act of great self-neglect.‘
Beginnings require us to be grateful for who we have been and what has formed us, and then having the courage to let it go.
I wonder, what is drawing you forward? And what do you need to let go of so that your new beginning may emerge?
We are actively wondering what the new beginnings look like here in our little valley in South West Wales. We’re grateful for how it has shaped us, yet curious about what will emerge in the coming days and our role in this.
Blessings on you as you reflect on your emergent beginnings and dare to step further into the flow where you are no longer in control.