Monday, November 2, 2026: For One Who Is Exhausted, a Blessing by John O’Donohue

Reminder: Next Sunday, November 8, 2026 Now that we're no longer on Daylight Saving Time the days get shorter and we don't want anyone driving in the dark. We meet and greet at 1:45 with Liturgy starting at 2:00. 

I figure by this time in the year we are all feeling somewhat  exhausted.  

The world is spinning so quickly and we all have the care of our ages, so many responsibilities, politics, family cares, deaths to grieve and new lives to celebrate. Spouses grow old alongside us, we dream and dance more slowly, walk more carefully making sure not to fall. Health issues and so much more!

We witness the kindness and the trauma of the world and take it into our hearts. It's a swirl of emotions and energies and finally we just feel overwhelmed. Here's a poem blessing from our dear friend and mentor John O'Donohue written for all of us at this time of life. John cautions us: "Be excessively gentle with yourself."

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,

Time takes on the strain until it breaks;

Then all the unattended stress falls in

On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.

The light in the mind becomes dim.

Things you could take in your stride before

Now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit.

Gravity begins falling inside you,

Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.

And you are marooned on unsure ground.

Something within you has closed down;

And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.

The desire that drove you has relinquished.

There is nothing else to do now but rest

And patiently learn to receive the self

You have forsaken in the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken

And sadness take over like listless weather.

The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;

Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up

To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain

When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,

Taking time to open the well of color

That fostered the brightness of day.

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.