I’m sitting here in my office, bathed in the cool light of winter. The winds are howling outside, lifting the powdery snow high in the air. Now and then I swear I see a dancing, white fairy, but she quickly disappears with the next strong gust.

I’ve just finished readying our house for a family gathering – a Christmas party postponed when my dad became ill just before the holidays. I’m relieved and happy to say that he’s doing better and I’m looking forward to having all of us here later today.

My first thought when I woke this morning was, “I’ll never get everything done today.” But then I closed my eyes, took a slow, deep breath, and reached for a new thought:

“I have all the time I need for everything that matters.”

One of my projects was to complete this blog. As I thought about what to write, I checked email and discovered that my good friend, Nanna, sent a poem written by one of my favorite poets – John O’Donohue.

As soon as I finished reading it, I knew I wanted to share it with you. It captures so well the journey of coming home to ourselves after doing too much.

So sit back, take your own slow, deep breath, and let John’s words flow through you like music. And if you haven’t read his books, I suggest you give yourself a treat. Every single one is delicious.

I especially love his book called, Beauty.

Enjoy the magic of his words…

A Blessing for One Who is Exhausted

From To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,

Time takes on the strain until it breaks;

Then all the unattended stress falls in

On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,

The light in the mind becomes dim.

Things you could take in your stride before

Now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit.

Gravity begins falling inside you,

Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.

And you are marooned on unsure ground.

Something within you has closed down;

And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.

The desire that drove you has relinquished.

There is nothing else to do now but rest

And patiently learn to receive the self

You have forsaken for the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken

And sadness take over like listless weather.

The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;

Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up

To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain

When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,

Taking time to open the well of color

That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone

Until its calmness can claim you.

Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.

Learn to linger around someone of ease

Who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself,

Having learned a new respect for your heart

And the joy that dwells far within slow time.