Wherever you are, whatever your life-world this penumbral season of light, may you find yourself enfolded in the potentia always and everywhere present.
This beautiful post reminds me of those wonderful childhood Christmases when all the presents would be open, the tree denuded of its magic, everyone starting to feel the let-down of Christmas midday, and suddenly Dad would say, "Wait a minute! I think something's missing." And he would go upstairs to his disorderly spaces and come down with One More Gift. It might have been a bookmark or a new tube of Chap Stick. But it was glorious because we thought there were no more gifts. And we were wrong. This post reminds me of that. Since I'm reading it on Dec 26, it's that one more gift, left out of the general pile, to savor all by itself. John O'Donohue's poem is a perfect companion to these photos full of sky. Thank you, Renée, for One More Gift.
I just love this. One More Gift. I could see the scene, Christmas tree denuded of magic and all, and hear your dad "Wait a minute!" What love is One More Gift.
There is a sweet magic to the ways human care can shine through the Christmas season.
Sorry I didn't get to this sooner Renée. I don't know if you know that John O'Donohue married Mary and I back in 2002 in a 1000 year old abbey in Ballyvaughan, Ireland. It was a very special day for us. Mary turned me on to Anam Cara back in the '90's and I was so moved by his writing, that I went to a retreat of his in Ireland, and he was simply brilliant, funny, and an incredible presence. Mary and I went in 2002 and got married by him, and then I went to another retreat with him in Oregon only 3 months before his untimely death in Jan, 2008. His death really hit me hard and prompted me to write a song about him, which I basically channelled. So, thank you for quoting him; as I always love to read what he had written and to remember him. He was a special person.
Thank you for commenting, as always. There is never any rush. I so appreciate you being here.
I do remember John O'Donahue marrying you and Mary. What is hard to believe is that it was in 2002! Wow.
It was Mary and you who introduced me to John--before you got married!
I can imagine the sorrow you must have experienced when he died, Ed. I have always sensed a particular closeness there for you. Perhaps you will play this song next time I am with you and Mary. . . .
You invoked an audible "mmmmm" from me, delighted to imagine you adding potentia to your lexicon, especially in the New Year as your readers and clients lean into change.
I'm glad you enjoyed this piece, and thank you for reading, especially since you are on holiday with your family.
Hoping you're enjoying the snow and your family time,
John O’Donohue has been a heart companion for many years, filling emptiness and revitalising plenty.
I give thanks daily dear Renée this day and every other that will follow and especially for the day I found your beautiful soul - may you be blessed today and always with gentle days of beauty, peace and light.
Thank you for this. I read your words as if they are a gratitude prayer that comes from "being betrothed to the unknown." I'm so glad this piece from John O'Donohue's book stirred you to share this passage. And I, too, give such thanks that our paths crossed. What blessing.
Expanding into paradox is the gift. This was beautiful and I love the photos! I feel like I recognize home in the frosty desert picture. Blessings to you and yours! ❤️
I imagine you would recognize the frosty desert picture. It could be said that it was just outside your backdoor that the sun shone that way one day last January. We did not know one another then. What a gift that we do now.
One of the things that I think about a lot is that, here in this realm in which we exist, once something is created, so is its opposite. That is the foundation for relationship. Holding paradox is something I often find challenging, though. (But for now, I'm going to keep attempting it.)
So beautifully said, Jenna: "here in this realm in which we exist once something is created, so is its opposite. This is the foundation for relationship." And attraction. Each something is attracted--magnetically drawn to--its opposite. So, could we say that in paradox we come to the field of potential? OR, paradox *is* the field of potential. . . .
Paradox IS the field of potential...I love that! Sometimes I am amused by my own narrow focus and I only now saw the word "potent" in potential (and potentia). 🤦♀️😁 Lol. I had known the word potential to relate to possibility. But it actually is about power. The power of becoming. And paradox does hold exactly this power.
"the word "potent" in potential (and potentia). 🤦♀️😁 Lol. I had known the word potential to relate to possibility. But it actually is about power. The power of becoming. And paradox does hold exactly this power."
I'm sure you've seen the meme of Obama's mic drop.
Your words bring that meme to mind.
Yes!
Potentia is a force, a power! And paradox holds this power, right there, in that quantum leap between wave and form, form and wave.
Thank you for chiming in on Jenna's comment, Mary. What is it about paradox that so unseats us? We like certainty. We like to know. To know gives us comfort, gives us a sense of control. What else about paradox challenges us?
No need to respond. Just putting the question here for contemplation.
You have a way of distilling words into essence: time as we know it just disappeared in three words into time *achronon*--time beyond the measurement of time. Thank you, as always, for your contribution here!
No writer has given me as much comfort as John O’Donohue since my wife’s death. And your beautiful “skyscapes” are a testament to the blessings of beauty. Thank you, Renee.
Thank you for sharing this. John O'Donohue is a true soul companion, and I thank you for bringing him into the fold in comments last week. What you share here may guide others to him, as well.
I hope this holiday season is being gentle on your heart. . . .
This beautiful post reminds me of those wonderful childhood Christmases when all the presents would be open, the tree denuded of its magic, everyone starting to feel the let-down of Christmas midday, and suddenly Dad would say, "Wait a minute! I think something's missing." And he would go upstairs to his disorderly spaces and come down with One More Gift. It might have been a bookmark or a new tube of Chap Stick. But it was glorious because we thought there were no more gifts. And we were wrong. This post reminds me of that. Since I'm reading it on Dec 26, it's that one more gift, left out of the general pile, to savor all by itself. John O'Donohue's poem is a perfect companion to these photos full of sky. Thank you, Renée, for One More Gift.
Tara,
I just love this. One More Gift. I could see the scene, Christmas tree denuded of magic and all, and hear your dad "Wait a minute!" What love is One More Gift.
There is a sweet magic to the ways human care can shine through the Christmas season.
Thank you for this. I'm still smiling.
Renée
Gorgeous photos my dear Anam Cara, Renee!
Thank you, dear Anam Cara, Mary.
I was merely there to be wowed by the light.
Sorry I didn't get to this sooner Renée. I don't know if you know that John O'Donohue married Mary and I back in 2002 in a 1000 year old abbey in Ballyvaughan, Ireland. It was a very special day for us. Mary turned me on to Anam Cara back in the '90's and I was so moved by his writing, that I went to a retreat of his in Ireland, and he was simply brilliant, funny, and an incredible presence. Mary and I went in 2002 and got married by him, and then I went to another retreat with him in Oregon only 3 months before his untimely death in Jan, 2008. His death really hit me hard and prompted me to write a song about him, which I basically channelled. So, thank you for quoting him; as I always love to read what he had written and to remember him. He was a special person.
Ed,
Thank you for commenting, as always. There is never any rush. I so appreciate you being here.
I do remember John O'Donahue marrying you and Mary. What is hard to believe is that it was in 2002! Wow.
It was Mary and you who introduced me to John--before you got married!
I can imagine the sorrow you must have experienced when he died, Ed. I have always sensed a particular closeness there for you. Perhaps you will play this song next time I am with you and Mary. . . .
Renée
Can you tell me where this poem of John O'Donohue's is located in Anam Cara? I can't seem to find it...
Mary,
It is in the section, "Nothingness: A Face of Death." These are pages 202–213 in my copy.
Thank you for this perfect and breathtaking piece Renee. The word potentia! I have never heard that word and it is going to be my new favorite word!
Donna,
You invoked an audible "mmmmm" from me, delighted to imagine you adding potentia to your lexicon, especially in the New Year as your readers and clients lean into change.
I'm glad you enjoyed this piece, and thank you for reading, especially since you are on holiday with your family.
Hoping you're enjoying the snow and your family time,
Renée
“So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown.”
John O’Donohue has been a heart companion for many years, filling emptiness and revitalising plenty.
I give thanks daily dear Renée this day and every other that will follow and especially for the day I found your beautiful soul - may you be blessed today and always with gentle days of beauty, peace and light.
With love x
Susie,
Thank you for this. I read your words as if they are a gratitude prayer that comes from "being betrothed to the unknown." I'm so glad this piece from John O'Donohue's book stirred you to share this passage. And I, too, give such thanks that our paths crossed. What blessing.
With love to you and your loved ones,
Renée
Expanding into paradox is the gift. This was beautiful and I love the photos! I feel like I recognize home in the frosty desert picture. Blessings to you and yours! ❤️
Jenna,
I imagine you would recognize the frosty desert picture. It could be said that it was just outside your backdoor that the sun shone that way one day last January. We did not know one another then. What a gift that we do now.
Blessings to you and yours, too!
Renée
Also, permit me to echo your beautiful words here: Expanding into paradox is a gift.
It may be a step into our way into the future. . . .
One of the things that I think about a lot is that, here in this realm in which we exist, once something is created, so is its opposite. That is the foundation for relationship. Holding paradox is something I often find challenging, though. (But for now, I'm going to keep attempting it.)
So beautifully said, Jenna: "here in this realm in which we exist once something is created, so is its opposite. This is the foundation for relationship." And attraction. Each something is attracted--magnetically drawn to--its opposite. So, could we say that in paradox we come to the field of potential? OR, paradox *is* the field of potential. . . .
Paradox IS the field of potential...I love that! Sometimes I am amused by my own narrow focus and I only now saw the word "potent" in potential (and potentia). 🤦♀️😁 Lol. I had known the word potential to relate to possibility. But it actually is about power. The power of becoming. And paradox does hold exactly this power.
Jenna,
You write:
"the word "potent" in potential (and potentia). 🤦♀️😁 Lol. I had known the word potential to relate to possibility. But it actually is about power. The power of becoming. And paradox does hold exactly this power."
I'm sure you've seen the meme of Obama's mic drop.
Your words bring that meme to mind.
Yes!
Potentia is a force, a power! And paradox holds this power, right there, in that quantum leap between wave and form, form and wave.
Thank you, dear friend,
Renée
I find it challenging too!
Thank you for chiming in on Jenna's comment, Mary. What is it about paradox that so unseats us? We like certainty. We like to know. To know gives us comfort, gives us a sense of control. What else about paradox challenges us?
No need to respond. Just putting the question here for contemplation.
❤️ I love the idea that, as you were taking this picture, we were coming towards one another. As you said, what a precious gift!
Yes. Me, too.
And we didn't know it.
Now we're back at "potentia."
Yes! "Expanding into paradox is the gift." It certainly brings some peace and a sense of equanimity...
Beautiful.
These reflections on paradox reveal a fertility.
Never and Always. Thank you Renee
Michael,
You have a way of distilling words into essence: time as we know it just disappeared in three words into time *achronon*--time beyond the measurement of time. Thank you, as always, for your contribution here!
Renée
Renée thank you for your offering. A gift given and which I will endeavor to embody.
I will live into these words today, as I come to know more of the gift of “emptiness and fullness as one”.
Megan,
Thank you for sharing this--the endeavor to embody . . . emptiness and fullness as one. This season especially.
Renée
No writer has given me as much comfort as John O’Donohue since my wife’s death. And your beautiful “skyscapes” are a testament to the blessings of beauty. Thank you, Renee.
Mark,
Thank you for sharing this. John O'Donohue is a true soul companion, and I thank you for bringing him into the fold in comments last week. What you share here may guide others to him, as well.
I hope this holiday season is being gentle on your heart. . . .
Renée
Beautiful photographs! Great sights to wake up to.
David,
Thank you. Great to hear from you today and thank you for sharing!
Renée