The lovely people with whom I share a Friday lunchtime call – the Polar Bears co-working group from The Creative’s Workshop – have often explored the lines we draw.
Yesterday we yet again visited the question of boundaries. Lines that give us a healthy frame for what we do. And the lines we need to draw or else we dissipate our energies and focus.
The idea of thresholds has also been a recurrent theme. And our need to be prepared to intentionally step into liminal space in order to go where we want to go.
I’m also aware that there is a third dimension of lines, that of frontiers.
At this stage in our work and lives perhaps we should also notice the frontiers that are inviting us to draw close and make contact?
For many of us, I suspect these will be ongoing themes in the weeks and months ahead.
A blessing for courage
It therefore seems particularly timely to share John O’Donohue’s blessing:
For courage
When the light around you lessens
And your thoughts darken until
Your body feels fear turn
Cold as a stone inside,When you find yourself bereft
Of any belief in yourself
And all you unknowingly
Leaned on has fallen,When one voice commands
Your whole heart,
And it is raven dark,Steady yourself and see
That it is your own thinking
That darkens your world,Search and you will find
A diamond-thought of light,Know that you are not alone
And that this darkness has purpose;
Gradually it will school your eyes
To find the one gift your life requires
Hidden within this night-corner.~
Invoke the learning
Of every suffering
You have suffered.Close your eyes.
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark.
That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of its weight of festered fear.A new confidence will come alive
John O’Donohue, Benedictus – A Book of Blessings, Bantam Press, 2007
To urge you towards higher ground
Where your imagination
Will learn to engage difficulty
As its most rewarding threshold!
What lines do you need courage to face?
Cheering you on from a little valley in South West Wales.