Dwelling Deep Within Slow Time
John O'Donohue shows how to come home to our selves when we feel exhausted or have lost our way
“Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.
Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.”
—John O’Donohue
Solstice greetings!
The passage above seems like a fitting way to honor the shortest day of the year (or longest as the case may be). It comes from John O’Donohue’s beautiful book of poems called To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings.1
Regardless of the season, if all you can absorb or manage right now are those three verses, it would be a radical shift.
What can you do to invite greater ease?
Who can you linger with who is easeful, kind, and has nothing to prove?
…
Perhaps a small stone to carry with you might help remind you to come home to yourself.
Like one of these treasures I found walking on a Cape Cod beach this fall.
Who knows, it may even bring blessings with it that you couldn’t quite see before…
until you turned down the noise and
settled
into
slow
time.
Have a wondrous day.
Ahhh…🙌🏼
Speaking of slowing down…
Beginning in January 2025 I will be launching a series of clearing challenges** designed to refill your reservoir, simplify your life, and create lasting, meaningful change.
It is a journey that walks you through my proven clearing method of five steps called the Spacious Way.
The series begins in January with Step 1: slowing down.
…
All are welcome. And the more the merrier!
To join in all you have to do is:
Get the book A Year for You and follow along with us — one week at a time. (You will not be forced to do anything groupy if that is a concern.)
Become a paid subscriber if you are not one already (that’s just $1.15 a week) and get access to weekly nudges from me.
**Stay tuned! All the details of the 2025 clearing challenges will be revealed on Friday December 27**
In case you missed it…
Creating Room for You
Want more ways to cultivate ease? These five short inspirations will help you reconnect to your inner calm...
—From To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O’Donohue
Oh my favorite poem from his book. That silence and stillness of a rock is such a powerful metaphor. It calms me.
I’m sitting here writing Christmas cards and notes and enjoying the slowness and thoughtfulness of sharing the love I have for my family and friends. If I stay mindful I enjoy the peace. When I get carried away into the mess of “I have to finish this or else ..” I’m gently bringing myself back to slowness. This is a gift to myself this year. There is too much hurry scurry in this world and I am choosing slow and it’s good enough.
Thank you for sharing this blessing!