A Blessing for Longing – John O’Donohue

Blessed be the longing that brought you here
and quickens your soul with wonder.

May you have the courage to befriend your eternal longing.

May you enjoy the critical and creative companionship of the question “Who am I?” and may it brighten your longing.

May a secret Providence guide your thought and shelter your feeling.

May your mind inhabit your life with the same sureness with which your body belongs to the world.

May your sense of something absent enlarge your life.

May your soul be as free as the ever-new waves of the sea.

May you succumb to the danger of growth.

May you live in the neighborhood of wonder.

May you belong to love with the wildness of Dance.

May you know that you are ever embraced in the kind circle of the holy.

Opening blessing chosen and read by Nancy L.

Peggy’s words while inhabiting a neighborhood of wonder today: 

“Such a beautiful day to be together. Aren’t we so lucky to have weather like this?  The little bit of cool breeze.  Sun out but not blazing.  [Seeing turtles on a log sticking out of the pond]: Look, there’s not room for even one more turtle on that log; they’re all taking a sunning.” 

Reflection by Amy W. and Peggy W.

Stopping to notice a stark tulip magnolia tree standing next to a fully blossoming one: 

“That looks like the same tree, but not as happy.  I wonder why that is.”

Photo by Amy W. – Reflection by Amy W. and Peggy W.

The chorus of bird song joyfully announced the emergence of early spring. I was filled with gratitude for this day of peace, wonder and joy! But my mind wandered in and out of melancholy and sadness thinking about the war in Ukraine and deep pain in the world. Even though I believe it all belongs… the joy, the suffering… it is still very difficult to hold it all.