I woke up exhausted this morning. Sleep eluded me again last night. The endless hours of Zoom and the disembodied contected disconnection takes its toll on the spirit.
The Holy Spirit moved, yet again, in the early morning, through the most unlikely vehicle of Facebook. I browsed through the feed of the Facebook Groups I frequent and found an angel’s message in the Contemplative Outreach group.
A member posted the wonderful poem by John O’Donohue “For One Who is Exhausted, A Blessing.”
I share it with you. May it be a balm to you as it was to me.
You have been forced to enter empty time.The desire that drove you has relinquished.There is nothing else to do now but restAnd patiently learn to receive the selfYou have forsaken for the race of days.At first your thinking will darkenAnd 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 upTo all the small miracles you rushed through.Become inclined to watch the way of rainWhen it falls slow and free.Imitate the habit of twilight,Taking time to open the well of colorThat fostered the brightness of day.Draw alongside the silence of stoneUntil its calmness can claim you.Be excessively gentle with yourself.Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.Learn to linger around someone of easeWho feels they have all the time in the world.Gradually, you will return to yourself,Having learned a new respect for your heartAnd the joy that dwells far within slow time.
The image above is a plen air painting I did this summer during vacation in Colorado. It is a moment when I experienced the type of peace described in this poem.