The spark

The Irish philosopher offers this powerful advice:

Invoke the learning
Of every suffering
You have suffered.

Close your eyes.
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark.
That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of its weight of festered fear.

John O’Donohue, excerpt from “For Courage” in Benedictus: A Book of Blessings

* * *

When we seek the warmth of a flame, it’s easy to dismiss a spark as inadequate.

But the spark is all we need for change to begin.

It only takes a moment of openness to let it catch.