A truth I needed to tell you today

I was thinking that you could use a hug today. So instead of a more lengthy post, I’m keeping it short and sweet, hoping this life message will find a way to reach you.

When stress and the busyness of life gets too much, we may act uncharacteristically. As we falter, we may have a meltdown, lash out, withdraw or numb out.

If you find you’re sinking into doubt, fear, overwhelm or guilt, I offer you this poem by John O’ Donohue. Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel with tenderness. With each breath, you can slowly unhook the grip of control and be open to receiving.

Beannacht

On the day when
The weight deadens
On your shoulders
And you stumble,
May the clay dance
To balance you.

And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The grey window
And the ghost of loss
Gets into you,
May a flock of colours,
Indigo, red, green
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
In the currach of thought
And a stain of ocean
Blackens beneath you,
May there come across the waters
A path of yellow moonlight
To bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
Wind work these words
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.

—John O’ Donohue, Celtic poet and philosopher

You’re not alone. You don’t have to fix or change anything to be loved.

Showing up is inspiring. Beginning again is inspiring.

Asking for help is inspiring.

Take that first tentative step, reach out. Someone will notice and they will hear.

A few steps ahead, shining a light back down, ready to take your hand.

Karen x

P.S. Tell me, what will you do to treat yourself today?