"It is always hard to believe that the courageous step is so close to us, that it is closer than we ever could imagine, that in fact, we already know what it is, and that the step is simpler, more radical than we had thought: which is why we so often prefer the story to be more elaborate, our identities clouded by fear, the horizon safely in the distance, the essay longer than it needs to be and the answer safely in the realm of impossibility."
― David Whyte, Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words What do you imagine is a close in step to take? Write about that. What are three things you can try that you have never tried? (keep it simple). Write about that. Who were you when you were born? Write a poem about that. What is on your horizon? Write about that. How can you help yourself imagine all that is possible? To open to what we truly want for ourselves and our communities? Like a prayer we may say on our walks or waking: Give me the view of an explorer; help me open to what is possible and be of real benefit to myself and others. Start close in, don’t take the second step or the third, start with the first thing close in, the step you don’t want to take. Start with the ground you know, the pale ground beneath your feet, your own way to begin the conversation. Start with your own question, give up on other people’s questions, don’t let them smother something simple. To hear another’s voice, follow your own voice, wait until that voice becomes an intimate private ear that can then really listen to another. Start right now take a small step you can call your own don’t follow someone else’s heroics, be humble and focused, start close in, don’t mistake that other for your own. Start close in, don’t take the second step or the third, start with the first thing close in, the step you don’t want to take. From ‘Start Close In’ in ‘River Flow: New and Selected Poems’ Many Rivers Press © David Whyte Book Release!! the Clue of the Red Thread: discovering fearlessness and compassion in uncertain times, released JANUARY 12th, 2021 by Nine Rivers, an imprint of Shanti Arts.
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All Write Wednesdays: World into WordAll Write Wednesdays is a blog about living the writer's life. Everything in our lives is material to explore & write about. Here, the spiritual path meets up with the writer's path. Read the All Write Wednesdays posts.
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I live in Mount Horeb WI where I walk (snow shoe in the winter) my dogs through Stewart Park, garden my corner lot, wear a mask in public (and a cape at night). I love to write & connect to writers. My book The Zero Point Agreement is my latest of ten. I do love to write! My up coming book: the Clue of the Red Thread: Discovering Fearlessness & Compassion in uncertain times comes out this January 26th, 2021 through Shanti Arts, Nine Rivers Imprint.
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