Monday, August 23, 2010

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.


It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.


It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, 'Yes.'

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.


It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.


I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
-Oriah Mountain Dreamer


{This was read during my friend, Shannon's wedding ceremony this last weekend.  It was perfect wording for this perfect couple.  I've known very few people like them--people who thrive because they embrace life in its fullness.  Pictures and re-caps to come.  }

5 comments:

brittany marie davis August 23, 2010 at 11:39 AM  

I read that some time ago and loved it, but sadly forgot all about it until just now. Thank you for sharing it.

Keri August 23, 2010 at 3:01 PM  

Wow. That's great.

resolute twig August 23, 2010 at 7:21 PM  

That is amazing.
I think i need to print it out and put it on my wall...

Cassie August 23, 2010 at 8:04 PM  

Yes, friends amazing. I saw it sitting on the bathroom counter before the wedding, and it got me. It about did me in during the moment it was actually read. I just love it. Perfect for them, too.

Emily August 24, 2010 at 3:08 PM  

So glad you put this up! Looking forward to the recap:)

“You must write every single day of your life... You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads... may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.” ― Ray Bradbury
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