For most of us, most of the time, the means to overcome the inertia that keeps us where we are is to take small steps. Often, the tiniest of steps will do to get us moving.
However, there are also times, perhaps only once in every season of our life, when small steps aren’t sufficient. They don’t take us far enough in disturbing the present.
For these times, John O’Donuhue’s blessing For the Time of Necessary Decision offers words for the journey, both as we face the choice and make it real.
The second half of this blessing seems appropriate for today:
We drift through this grey, increasing nowhere
Until we stand before a threshold we know
We have to cross to come alive once more.May we have the courage to take the step
John O’Donohue, from Benedictus: A Book of Blessings
Into the unknown that beckons us;
Trust that a richer life awaits us there,
That we will lose nothing
But what has already died;
Feel the deeper knowing in us sure
Of all that is about to be born beyond
The pale frames where we stayed confined,
Not realising how much vacant endurance
Was bleaching our soul’s desire.