Surprised by Inspiration

“Inspiration is always a surprising visitor.” – John O’Donohue

Born on this date in 1956, O’Donohue was an Irish poet, author, priest, and Hegelian philosopher, who died suddenly (and unexplainedly) in 2008.  Both an author and much sought-after speaker and teacher, particularly in the United States, O'Donohue left the priesthood in 2000 and devoted much of his energies to environmental activism.  One of his most-quoted sayings was the simple lines: “I would love to live like a river flows.  Carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”

A book of his essays, The Four Elements, was published            

in 2011 and provides an in-depth look at his beliefs and ideals.   “The way you look at things,” he said,  “is the most powerful force in shaping your life.”   

            For Saturday’s Poem, here is O’Donohue’s,

Your Soul Knows

Your soul knows

the geography of

your destiny.  Your

soul alone has the

map of your future,

therefore you can

trust this

indirect, oblique

side of yourself.  If

you do, it will

take you where you

need to go, but

more important

it will teach you a

kindness of rhythm

in your journey.

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