The Journey
by Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their meloncholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognised as your own,
that kept you company
as your strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.
To all the women out their feeling lost, disconnected, challenged by where they are in this new year and new decade. I want to honour the resiliance, the strength and the journey of the periods in our lives where we need to sit in the dirt and the mud and the blood of our own internal and external battles. The woman’s journey isnt always roses and hearts falling from the heavens. It is also the dark and the light that is sometimes so bright we retreat back into our caves. Each day, each week, each month and each year is a series of moments, fleeting seconds of continuous moments. Nothing is fixed and nothing is forever. I call each woman to be present to her own thoughts and journey for it is you who gets to make each choice for yourself. For those that are lost, wobbly and can’t see through the tears that pour from your eyes and your heart, reach out, connect to women who can hold you, support you as you navigate your life and your choices. Women are the healers, as you are yourself. Step into a space where you can be supported and support others along the way. Join us as we sit together in sacred circle.
This beautiful poem, The Journey by Mary Oliver, was given to me by a dear woman at a time in my life where I had journeyed for 3 years in deep research, emerging at the other end with a deep understanding of belonging. Thank you my friend, you are loved.
If you would like to read more about this journey, I have shared it in this post called Coming Home, the last chapter in my research. It may resonate with some who may be journeying to find belonging.
Post by Julie Hauritz