jsharr ★ Posted January 24, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 24, 2020 The Invitation Oriah Mountain Dreamer 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 24, 2020 Share #2 Posted January 24, 2020 I'll bring the marshmallows. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted January 24, 2020 At last night's Scouting awards dinner the key note speaker led off with the line about standing in the center of the fire with me. When we are in crisis, hurting, lost, that is what we need. Someone willing to stand in the fire with us. Her point was, that whether we know it or not, we may be that person to a Scout that we interact with and the simple fact that we care and believe in and are there for someone can drastically alter the trajectory of their life. Made the night more worthwhile and meaningful for me and gave me some introspection to do. One a side note, when I came home and told my wife who the keynote speaker was and where she worked, it turns out that the school where my wife and son work has and is partnering with this school. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted January 24, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 24, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted January 24, 2020 Share #5 Posted January 24, 2020 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted January 24, 2020 Share #6 Posted January 24, 2020 19 minutes ago, jsharr said: The Invitation Oriah Mountain Dreamer 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. See, this is why the new rule is in place. Some people just ruin it for all of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted January 24, 2020 10 minutes ago, Zealot said: ? Awesome. I must have missed that thread. The line about standing in the fire spoke to me and I had to go and find this poem and read it. When did you come across it and what does it say to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 24, 2020 Share #8 Posted January 24, 2020 3 minutes ago, jsharr said: Awesome. I must have missed that thread. The line about standing in the fire spoke to me and I had to go and find this poem and read it. When did you come across it and what does it say to you? My marshmallows are going to get ruined. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted January 24, 2020 5 minutes ago, late said: My marshmallows are going to get ruined. I will stand with you and your marshmallows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted January 24, 2020 Share #10 Posted January 24, 2020 Just now, jsharr said: I will stand with you and your marshmallows. How can you if you're charred corpse is ruining my marshmallows??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted January 24, 2020 Share #11 Posted January 24, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted January 24, 2020 Share #12 Posted January 24, 2020 37 minutes ago, jsharr said: Here point was, that Do you grammar much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted January 24, 2020 27 minutes ago, Kzoo said: Do you grammar much? 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted January 24, 2020 Share #14 Posted January 24, 2020 Just now, jsharr said: 17 I approve of your response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted January 25, 2020 Share #15 Posted January 25, 2020 20 hours ago, jsharr said: Awesome. I must have missed that thread. The line about standing in the fire spoke to me and I had to go and find this poem and read it. When did you come across it and what does it say to you? I don’t recall exactly when I came across it, Jsharr. Probably shortly before I posted it. Oh my! What does it say to me?? Everything I have ever felt, believed and lived! The author dove deep into that watery abyss! I have stood in the fire- alone and with others. I have faced the dark night of my own soul. I have done the things that must be done. I’ve sat with the pains of life and with those in need. At times I’ve shed the mask(s) that we all learn to wear. And i’ve donned then for the comfort of those around me. I’ve danced in the moonlight and stood on the mountain tops while my spirit has soared at the song of creation! And I’ve sat on a razor’s edge of despair believing I would not make it through the night. i have succeeded in endeavors that have taken me to great heights. And I have failed miserably when the test was before me. I’ve dined with the elite and I’ve embraced the homeless on the street. I’ve searched for the souls that can handle the depth of our existence and embrace the entire spectrum of humanity with open hearts and shattered facades. I’ve travelled deep into the recesses of my own heart and into the hearts of those who will allow me to share their journey with them. Still waters run very, very deep, Jsharr. Below the surfaces exist entire biospheres to which most will never travel. The author of this poem has been there and back. This author is a kindred spirit. I apologize if this isn’t what you were seeking in way of a response. I know my style of discourse appeals to very few. But it is who I am. peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted January 25, 2020 Share #16 Posted January 25, 2020 Some times it is best to stand alone and know the support is there— both at the same time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share #17 Posted January 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Zealot said: I don’t recall exactly when I came across it, Jsharr. Probably shortly before I posted it. Oh my! What does it say to me?? Everything I have ever felt, believed and lived! The author dove deep into that watery abyss! I have stood in the fire- alone and with others. I have faced the dark night of my own soul. I have done the things that must be done. I’ve sat with the pains of life and with those in need. At times I’ve shed the mask(s) that we all learn to wear. And i’ve donned then for the comfort of those around me. I’ve danced in the moonlight and stood on the mountain tops while my spirit has soared at the song of creation! And I’ve sat on a razor’s edge of despair believing I would not make it through the night. i have succeeded in endeavors that have taken me to great heights. And I have failed miserably when the test was before me. I’ve dined with the elite and I’ve embraced the homeless on the street. I’ve searched for the souls that can handle the depth of our existence and embrace the entire spectrum of humanity with open hearts and shattered facades. I’ve travelled deep into the recesses of my own heart and into the hearts of those who will allow me to share their journey with them. Still waters run very, very deep, Jsharr. Below the surfaces exist entire biospheres to which most will never travel. The author of this poem has been there and back. This author is a kindred spirit. I apologize if this isn’t what you were seeking in way of a response. I know my style of discourse appeals to very few. But it is who I am. peace Beauitifully said. I tend to spend more time with my demons in the dark pits than on the mountaintops with the eagles This helps me encourage others to not believe the bad things the voices say. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 25, 2020 Share #18 Posted January 25, 2020 Bring dragon's eggs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now