Friday, September 16, 2016

Find the wells

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.
―Antoine de Saint-Exupéry


I am happy listening to John O'Donohue any time -- what a marvelous voice he had! This poem-blessing seems appropriate as we Americans approach our election.

A BLESSING FOR ONE WHO HOLDS POWER
by John O’Donohue

May the gift of leadership awaken in you as a vocation,
Keep you mindful of the providence that calls you to serve.

As high over the mountains the eagle spreads its wings,
May your perspective be larger than the view from the foothills.

When the way is flat and dull in times of gray endurance,
May your imagination continue to evoke horizons.

When thirst burns in times of drought,
May you be blessed to find the wells.

May you have the wisdom to read time clearly
And know when the seed of change will flourish.

In your heart may there be a sanctuary
For the stillness where clarity is born.

May your work be infused with passion and creativity
And have the wisdom to balance compassion and challenge.

May your soul find the graciousness
To rise above the fester of small mediocrities.
May your power never become a shell
Wherein your heart would silently atrophy.
May you welcome your own vulnerability
As the ground where healing and truth join.

May integrity of soul be your first ideal.
The source that will guide and bless your work.



************

Today's Little Ditty has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Michelle!

12 comments:

author amok said...

This is powerful, Tabatha. I hope our current and future leaders hear this message. I shared a link to your post on Twitter.

Doraine said...

It always amazes me how powerful a blessing can be. May you be blessed with that vast, endless yearning for the sea.

jama said...

Love the last two stanzas especially. What a powerful, inspiring blessing. Thank you!

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

"May integrity of soul be your first ideal.
The source that will guide and bless your work."

May this be true for voters as well as leaders! ...and may we have the patience to endure another 50-something days.

Bridget Magee said...

Amen! =)

Jane @ www.raincitylibrarian.ca said...

Powerful and beautiful.

Diane Mayr said...

To rise above the fester of small mediocrities. This seems to be the greater challenge in 2016!

Whispers from the Ridge said...

A blessing and a hope indeed. This is a great one to share with the all the world. Thanks for sharing, Tabatha!

Violet N. said...

So appropriate! It could so easily be turned into a prayer for leaders.

Someone else posted an O'Donohue poem in the last little while on PF and so I have been poking around on his web site and reading various of his writings. (Liked his page on FB and since then have been getting postings when someone updates his site.) What a wise and compassionate man!

Heidi said...

Just the idea of a blessing--a nondenominational, nonreligious even, blessing for leaders--is revolutionary. Thanks for sharing this wonderful voice.

Brenda at FriendlyFairyTales said...

A very Irish blessing, may one's soul rise to meet one's vocation. It's important to remember that leading is serving. I'm not sure Trump fits that definition even a little bit.

Joyce Ray said...

Thank you. I love John O'Donahue and have recently been the recipient of two of his books! I have printed this poem to provide the words I have not been able to say myself. It is a powerful blessing.