Inspiration For a New Beginning

I’m a bit of a collector; a collector of words, of inspiration, of hope.

In my travels, whether they be down damp city streets, fragrant woodland lanes, or through some dusty, cob-webbed corner of the Internet, I seek out things that touch me, teach me, inspire me.

Those of you that follow me on Twitter know I often share bits of this found wisdom in 144 character bite-sized chunks in my tweets. But some pieces of inspiration don’t fit that format well.

Photo of Irish Poet John O'Donohue

John O’Donohue, Ph.D. (1956-2008)

Here is something I stumbled upon recently; a poem by John O’Donohue, the Irish poet and philosopher. Born in County Clare, he lived in a remote cottage in the west of Ireland until his untimely death in 2008.

I’d read one of his books before, but had not encountered this poem until this week. If you know someone in need of inspiration for a new beginning in their life, I hope you will share this with them.

For a New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

John O’Donohue

Let me know what you think of this poem, and be sure to follow me on Facebook & Twitter!

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