The Journey

One of the things I've been pondering recently is the nature of reflection and what prompts us as humans to pause in our daily, monthly, and yearly routines and evaluate our lives. Sometimes life just flows and days, months, perhaps even years, might slide past without once feeling the urge to take a look around and question if you are where you truly want to be. Then again, sometimes life's events require, even insist, upon this type of meditation. Whether those events are characterized by elated growth and change or stunningly devastating loss, I think we all can pinpoint certain moments in our lives when contemplation felt entirely natural and necessary.

Funny enough, I've had many of those moments this past year or so - some that were borne of specific events and some that I sought out on my own. During these periods of reflection, I stumbled across a poem which has meant more to me over time with each reading and digesting of it. Anyone who knows me knows that I am apt to find a quote or poem or song that I feel so perfectly conveys the emotion I am feeling. I hope to share many of these meaningful quotes and songs and poems with you in this space here. 

I am blessed by having extremely talented and artistically gifted friends who have aided in bringing to life the words I find so inspiring and moving. I asked one of these friends to take six stanzas from the below poem and create artwork for me to place over my bed in my room. Her artwork, and the words contained within it, are a daily reminder to myself that my journey is far from over. Rather, it is just beginning again. Or as David Whyte says, "You are not leaving. Even as the light fades quickly now, you are arriving."

The Journey by David Whyte

"Above the mountains
the geese turn into
the light again

Painting their
black silhouettes
on an open sky.

Sometimes everything
has to be
inscribed across
the heavens

so you can find
the one line
already written
inside you.

Sometimes it takes
a great sky
to find that

first, bright
and indescribable
wedge of freedom
in your own heart.

Sometimes with
the bones of the black
sticks left when the fire
has gone out

someone has written
something new
in the ashes of your life.

You are not leaving.
Even as the light fades quickly now,
you are arriving."