The Magical Thinking Project #2

Magical thinkers were asked to write a manifesto; this is mine.

WHY

Because Life is SHORT and NOTHING is guaranteed.  

Because existing is NOT enough.  

Because it’s not a race to the finish.  

Because it IS about the EXPERIENCE.  

Because this will not last FOREVER.  

Because ONE life is the flap of the butterflies wings.  

Because you DON’T get another Chance. 

Because the BAD is as much a part of the story as the GOOD.  

Because living vicariously is NOT really living.  

Because we all need each other.  

Because LOVE.  

Because I AM ONE.  

Because one IS the beginning.  

Because I don’t have all the answers.  

Because of this wonderful thing called LIVING.  

Because of all of this and more I wilL BE and DO and WISH and DREAM and ACT and 

EMBRACE IT ALL.  

under the same moon and stars,

ibs

The Invitation

The Invitation 

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for,

And if you dare to dream of meeting

Your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool

For love, for your dream,

For the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. 

I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,

If you have been opened by life’s betrayals,

Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, 

Mine or your own,
Without moving 

To hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,

Mine or your own,

If you can dance with wildness

and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes

Without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic,

or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself,

If you can bear the accusation on betrayal and not betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can be faithless and therefore be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty

Even when it is not pretty every day,

And if you can source your life 

From its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, 

Yours and mine,

And still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon,

“Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,

Weary and bruised to the bone,

And do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you are, how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand 

In the center of the fire with me

And not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you

From the inside

When all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone

With yourself,

And if you truly like the company you keep

In the empty moments.