~John O’Donohue ~ To Bless the Space Between Us ~ complete book of all his beautiful, deeply touching words of heart.

For a New Beginning~
by John O’Donohue

“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 you 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 grey promises that sameness whispered.
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 plentitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear, you can trust the promise of this opening.
Unfurl yourself in to the Grace of Beginning
That is at one with your Life’s desires.

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.”

WALKING THROUGH~When Doors Open
by John O’Donohue

“When a door opens, walk through it. Trust that the door has opened for a reason and you have been guided to it. Sometimes we have a tendancy to overanalyze or agonize over the decision, but it is quicker to simply go through the door and discover what’s there as that’s the only way to know. Even if it doesn’t seem right at first, opening this door may lead to another door that will take us where we need to go.

Doors open when the time is right for us to enter a new space, metaphorically speaking, and we can have faith that walking through is the right thing to do Sometimes we linger in the threshold because we are afraid of leaving our old life for a life we know nothing about. We may have voices inside our heads that try to hold us back or people in our lives saying discouraging things. These voices, internal and external, are known as threshold spirits, and they express all the fears and doubts that arise at the beginning of a new life. Nevertheless, none of these voices can hold us back, and they will fall silent as soon as we cross the threshold.

There are many doors that open in the course of our lives, leading us into new relationships, jobs, friendships, and creative inspirations. Our lives up to this point are the result of all the doors we have walked through, and our continued growth depends on our willingness to keep moving into new spaces. Every time we walk through an open door, we create a sense memory that encourages us to move into the new fearlessly. When we enter the new space, we almost always feel a thrill and a new feeling of confidence, in ourselves and in the universe. We have stepped accross the threshold into a new life.”

“There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself, though it is always secretly there. It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty. Our desire to seek possibility, and our hearts to love life. The gift of the world is our first blessing.”

~John O’Donohue ~from Anam Cara

A BLESSING FOR THE SENSES

“May your body be blessed. May you realize that your body is a faithful friend and beautiful friend of your soul. And may you be peaceful and joyful and recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds. May you realize that holiness is mindful, gazing, feeling hearing and touching. May your senses gather you and bring you home. May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here. May the Eros of the Earth bless you.”

~John O’Donohue ~from To Bless the Space Between Us