FOR COURAGE
John O’Donohue
Volume 34 Issue 10, 11 & 12 | Posted: February 22, 2021
When the light around you lessens And your thoughts darken until Your body feels fear turn
Cold as a 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 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 towards higher ground Where your imagination
will learn to engage difficulty
As its most rewarding threshold!
John O’Donohue was born and reared by a Gaelic-speaking farm family in Ireland. His passion for thinking and writing led him to studies for the priesthood, while he maintained his close relationship to nature and Celtic Christianity. He died unexpectedly in 2008 at the age of
52. For more about his remarkable life, please visit: https://www.johnodonohue.com
John O’Donohue