true love, true courage

A dear friend gave me the following poem, framed, as a wedding gift.

And–today’s the day I’m getting married to my one and only lovey-love.

(I’m pre-scheduling this blog post, of course. I’m not so internet geeky that I would be blogging on my wedding day. I might be posting pictures to social media, though. It’s the age we live in.)

 

The True Love by David Whyte

There’s a faith in loving fiercely the one who is rightfully yours
especially if you have waited years and especially if part of you never
believed you could deserve this loved and beckoning hand held
out to you this way.

I am thinking of faith now and the testaments of loneliness
and what we feel we are worthy of in this world.
Years ago in the Hebrides I remember an old man
who would walk every morning on the gray stones
to the shore of baying seals, who would press his
hat to his chest in the blustering salt wind and say his
prayer to the turbulent Jesus hidden in the waters.

And I think of the story of the storm and the people
waking and seeing the distant, yet familiar figure,
far across the water calling to them.

And how we are all preparing for that abrupt waking
and that calling and that moment when we have to say yes!

Except it will not come so grandly, so biblically,
but more subtly, and intimately in the face
of the one you know you have to love.

So that when we finally step out of the boat
toward them we find, everything holds us,
and everything confirms our courage.

And if you wanted to drown, you could,
But you don’t, because finally, after all
this struggle and all these years,
you don’t want to, anymore.

You’ve simply had enough of drowning
and you want to live, and you want to love.
And you’ll walk across any territory,
and any darkness, however fluid,
and however dangerous to take the one
hand and the one life, you know belongs in yours.

————–

 

 

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Love Letter to the World: Jamie Ridler

(This is a guest post from Jamie Ridler

 

“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, “you owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.” Hafiz of Shiraz

Dear World,

I’m in love with you.

Each morning, as I pad into my studio and look out the window at the passing seasons reflected in the backyard tree and our expanse of sky, I fall in love again.

Each night, as I curl into my cozy bed, loved husband by my side, safe and sound, loved and loving, having lived a full day, I fall in love again.

It’s not always an easy love. Some days are dark. Some nights are long.

Sometimes I despair, feel alone, get enraged.

I disappoint and am disappointed.

But you help me to not give up by offering a crocus or a kindness, fresh coffee and the smell of fresh-cut grass, public radio and public libraries, the beach and the wind, raspberries, theatre and smiles from strangers. Not to mention Paris. And chandeliers. And cozy comforters. And cookies.

I could go on but it all comes down to this:
I love you.

And I want you to know, I’m here for you.

I’m going to show up every day. Sometimes foggy, sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy, but every day, I will show up.
I’m going to offer crocuses and kindness. I’m going smile at strangers. I’m going to offer my gifts as freely as you offer yours.

And I’ll be as honest with my failings, so we can grow and heal together.

Because even though this isn’t always an easy love, it’s the love of a lifetime. We’re in it together, world.

I love you.

 





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Jamie Ridler is a creative living coach and the director of Jamie Ridler Studios. From the Creative Living with Jamie podcast to the Sparkles e-course, Jamie’s coaching helps women find the courage and confidence to embrace their creative selves so they can be the star they are.

 

 

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I’ll tell you why you’re discontented

Allow me, will you?

First, you’re not discontented and unhappy because of life circumstances, because of how your parents raised you, because of how much money you have, or (solely) because of your biochemistry.

Those are factors, and nothing more.

Here’s my theory, in all its frank glory: You’re discontented because you’re actually really fucking great, but you’re terrified of your greatness. In response to that greatness, all that crazy-amazing potential, fear makes you shut down.

In short? You’re not choosing your greatness. You’re not acknowledging it. You’re not cultivating more of it.

What’s more? You know you’re doing this, to yourself, and knowing this feels terrible.

So that’s why people feel so wretched, and that’s why they numb out, and that’s why they beat themselves up, and that’s why they do the crazy nonsense that they do–start drama, or let their health go, or numb out, or…

What to do about it?

I don’t need to tell you; you already know what it is–for you.

For some people, it’s “get my ass to yoga class, already.”

For others, it’s “time to quit procrastinating on that meditation practice.”

For others, it’s going to be “I’m no longer blaming other people for my crap.”

For others it’s going to show up as “That book I always wanted to write? I’m logging off of the computer right now, and starting, and I don’t give a shit how terrible it is. I’m writing.”

For others, it’s going to be: “Let me lay down on the bed and breathe, and quit doing-doing-doing all of the time.”

You already know your truth. There are a gazillion different personal growth products and people and offerings out there that can certainly help you, but I suggest: start by trusting your own True North.

Prepare to amaze yourself.

 

 

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