A Morning Offering (by John O’Donohue)

I bless the night that nourished my heart
To set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream
That went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.

All that is eternal in me
Welcome the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates
Offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.

I place on the altar of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Wave of desire I am shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye.

May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.

May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.

Each line of this poem inspires and is worthy of it’s own longer reflection and meditation to plumb it’s depths.  It’s the last stanza of this poem that especially leapt off the page, through my heart and into my soul.  (In fact, it inspired me to start this blog.)  It speaks of my heart’s desire and soul’s longing on my journey from fear to love.  I simply make it my prayer today and even imagine God also speaking these words back to me –  encouraging me on my hero’s journey that we all share.

Bill, May you have to courage today to live the life that you would love.  To postpone your dream no longer.  But to do at last what you came here for and waste your heart on fear no more.  Trust.

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