I came across these wonderful words written by John O’Donoghue in his book:” To Bless the space between us”. Below are a few of the many verses of: “For a friend on the arrival of illness”.
Personally, I found the suggestions and guidance of his questioning and giving myself some time to stop, ponder and reflect on the arrival of my own diagnosis of illness. Illuminating to say the least.
“May you learn to use this illness.
As a lantern to illuminate
The new qualities that will emerge in you.
May you find the wisdom to listen to your illness:
Ask it why it came. Why it chose your friendship.
Where it wants to take you. What it wants you to know.
What quality of space it wants to create in you.
What you need to learn to become more fully yourself
That your presence may shine in the world.
May you be granted the courage and vision
To work through passivity and self-pity,
To see the beauty you can harvest
From the riches of this dark invitation.
May you learn to receive it graciously,
And promised to learn swiftly
That it may leave you newborn,
Willing to dedicate your time to birth.”