For Courage
by John O'Donohue When the light around you lessensAnd your thoughts darken untilYour body feels fear turnCold as a stone inside,When you find yourself bereftOf any belief in yourselfAnd all you unknowinglyLeaned on has fallen,When one voice commandsYour whole heart,And it is raven dark,Steady yourself and seeThat it is your own thinkingThat darkens your world.Search and you will findA diamond-thought of light,Know that you are not alone,And that this darkness has purpose;Gradually it will school your eyes,To find the one gift your life requiresHidden within this night-corner.Invoke the learningOf every sufferingYou have suffered.Close your eyes.Gather all the kindlingAbout your heartTo create one sparkThat is all you needTo nourish the flameThat will cleanse the darkOf its weight of festered fear.A new confidence will come aliveTo urge you towards higher groundWhere your imaginationwill learn to engage difficultyAs its most rewarding threshold!
From the books, Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US).