and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing…
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled
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…
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 be alone with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
-Oriah Mountain Dreamer
in The Invitation
Full disclosure: I like Oriah’s writing. I like what she writes about, usually our all-too-human frailties. I love her call to live with more passion, more honesty. Her writing resonates because she’s been there and she’s not afraid to share her journey openly. Her writing is courageous.
I admire her. I’d go to one of her workshops in an instant, if she still gave them.
The Invitation came out in 1999 but I still like it. It brings me back to those times in my life when I was searching and not finding answers, at least not easily.
The Dance followed. In it, Oriah teaches us to move to the rhythms of our true self. Now that I’m in my golden years, it’s hard to get hold of how difficult it is for many young women to be authentic. How much pressure there is to follow the herd. How much insecurity drive us when we are young.
This holiday season, Oriah’s books may be a life-saver for some young woman going through a tough time. They acknowledge our frailties while also offering skills and techniques to help us grow. I just bought a couple to give to young women who need to hear Oriah’s message.
Perhaps you know someone in the same situation.
This year, why not give a gift that helps someone in ways we might not be able to define? Available new and also in budget-friendly used good condition.
Thank you Carol- and if anyone buys a book for a someone because they see this and would like a personalized signed bookplate to put in the front, all they need to do is email me at mail@oriah.org with the recipient’s first name and their own snail mail address to which I can said the self-adhesive book plate! 🙂
I always enjoy reading from honest authors who are not afraid to speak what is the truth to them and often to others on the same path to self discovery.
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
Thank you Carol- and if anyone buys a book for a someone because they see this and would like a personalized signed bookplate to put in the front, all they need to do is email me at mail@oriah.org with the recipient’s first name and their own snail mail address to which I can said the self-adhesive book plate! 🙂
Blessings, Oriah
Oriah, that is so sweet! Thank you! I just bought two LOL but i’ll email you separately. xoxo
I always enjoy reading from honest authors who are not afraid to speak what is the truth to them and often to others on the same path to self discovery.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m always on the lookout for new authors to read.