It was a turbulent week on a personal and community level: my mother’s birthday without her here; friends harsh words; community conflict... So much pain overlayed on a holiday season celebrating love & light. Seeking to ease my pain, I opened John O'Donohue's book To Bless the Space Between Us. I was struck by his definition of a blessing: “A circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal, and strengthen." I found great comfort in his a “Blessing for the New Year”, Beannacht. Listen to the author recite these beautiful blessing himself.

And so may a slow Wind work these words Of love around you, An invisible cloak To mind your life. Selected portion of Beannacht by John O'Donohue

May your New Year contain many blessings.