To find the one gift your life requires (John O'Donohue)

When the light around you lessens

And your thoughts darken until

Your body feels fear turn

Cold and 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 a 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

To urge you toward lighter ground

Where your imagination

Will learn to engage difficulty

As its most rewarding threshold!

--John O’Donohue, For Courage         

Image source:  J. Huntington, Sacred Flame, available at http://joycehuntingtonart.com/product/sacred-flame/