The Invitation

[RetroLounge]

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, to be realistic, 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; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the 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 to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or 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.

by
Oriah Mountain Dreamer

**************************

I stumbled across this. Haven't seen this in years. Nice reminder of who I strive to be, and who I want to be with...

RL

[The Straight Story]

1. A kick because I like it

Will show it to the wife.

[Deja Q]

2. KB&R

Kicked, bookmarked, and recommended

:pals:

[RetroLounge]

6. ...

:pals:

RL

[The Straight Story]

3. I saw this video and it made me think of ya

Thought it might be something you would appreciate/like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBdH6SjBEX8

[RetroLounge]

4. Oh, man, I am very familiar with this song...

Had never seen the video...

************************

Don`t let yourself be hurt this time
Don´t let yourself be hurt this time

Then I saw your face
Then I saw your smile

The sky is till blue
The clouds come and go
Yet something is different
Are we falling in love?

Don`t let yourself be hurt this time
Don`t let yourself be hurt this time

Then your kiss so soft
Then your touch so warm

The stars still shine bright
The mountains still high
Yet something is different
Are we falling in love?

Falling
Falling
Are we falling in love?

RL

[The Straight Story]

5. It haunted me for years, as I was a fan of the TV show and my life was messed up

back then.

I should write a damned book about my life - if I ever did this would be one of the songs I would have for people to listen to as they read it :)

[Lindsey]

7. I love "The Invitation" Thanks for reaquainting me...time to print it out

and repost it on my fridge. :-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Retro!

How stunning and true this is!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting it!

I just love this, and I know you understand why I identify with it.....as I can for you as well... :hug:

This one definitely gets bookmarked!

I want to read this time and again, as long as I have vision to see...

[RetroLounge]

9. ...

:hug:

It reminded me of someone... :D

RL