"I will rise, I will go back to the white and silver shore.
I will have courage, as the sun does, rising and setting.
I will go as the sea in its turning.
I will rise, I will go back, I will rise!"
___ Caitlin Matthews, "Celtic Devotional"
The courage to return to places (emotional as well as physical) of trial or difficulty is often lacking in us. Sometimes the injury, offence or experience we underwent in a place was so dreadful that we choose to avoid it altogether. Any mention of a person or place associated with that experience may cause disorientation or even nausea.
Sometimes we much summon up the courage to surmount our careful avoidances, to step back onto ground where we have been hurt or injured or mocked. How do we find the courage then? Only by surrendering our fear, only by transforming it into the ability and power to move again. By avoiding our fear, we give it more substance. By facing our fear, we transform it.
The truly courageous go into danger realizing and accepting the terrors ahead. Most importantly, they do not plumb the depths of courage by an act of will alone.l They draw upon their spiritual helpers, upon the familiar strengths of their daily lives, upon the love and friendship of their kindred and their dear ones. With them, because of them, for them, the courage within grows and conquers fear, shame, and anger.
"Consider a painful situation or experience that is causing you to avoid certain places or people. Pray to your strongest spiritual helpers for courage to return."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]
This is another one of Ms Matthews essays that I love reading. I checked out your blog - beautiful pictures and comments.
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