Submit yourself to the risk of truly becoming. John O'Donohue

We did not know at the time of booking our cottage we were very near where John O'Donohue grew up and is now buried (dying at the age of 52 in early 2008). His first book captured our attention as we thought about naming our women's leadership program Anam Cara (soul friend). His words did not touch me then; now his words are like salve for my weary soul. We listened to one of his last interviews with Krista Tippet and I am reading more of his books as we sit in the landscape that inspired him. Here are just a small samplings of quotes from his website, books and radio show that I am pondering:

Time has become the enemy. Stress is a perverted relationship with time.

Where you are understood, you are home.

When you put energy outwardly, it takes something from the inside. We are debilitating ourselves. We need to learn the art of inwardness. (paraphrase)

There are many more blessings and words that have touched me. Instead of writing more, I am spending the next few days reflecting on them. Note: The photo is a view from his gravesite in Fanore.

Composing a life

Each of us is an artist of our days; the greater the integrity and awareness, the more original and creative our time will become. John O'Donohue

My life is a musical composition; my choices and reactions are the notes. It is hard to see what I am composing. I can see other people's story-line more clearly. My sister and I were reflecting on our mother's life. She did not have much joy. Neither of us remember her laughing. We do remember her anger. It is sad to know she had choices that she did not see. What choices do I not see or hear? If I stop; if I can find stillness for a period of time I may see my composition more clearly. As a person gifted with the ability "to do", it can take a long time. I can get like Lake Superior when the wind has whipped her into formidable waves. Even though the wind has slowed, settling takes time. I am grateful for my day-to-day reflective practices that I have learned over the years. These are like the spaces between the waves. I can sometimes notice discordant notes; make different choices

And on retreat, I become quiet. The still pond reflects. I may get a new perspective on my melody. How do I compose my moments, my days, my life? What life-affirming choices need to be made?