The Invitation 

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 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 the sorrow ... 
if you have been opened by life's betrayals or 
have become shriveled and closed from fear or 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 you 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 of betrayal and not betray your own soul. 

I want to know if you can be faithful 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 God's 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 great 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 here. 
I want to know if you'll 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 ... 

  Oriah Mountain Dreamer