Arise! Awake!

“Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached.” – Swami Vivekananda

“The real enemies of our life are the ‘oughts’ and the ‘ifs.’ They pull us backward into the unalterable past and forward into the unpredictable future. But real life takes place in the here and now.” – Henri Nouwen

Move in from the edges, from the surface
Into deep waters
Into the center of now
To unknowing, to mystery, to the core
Beyond first impressions, assumptions and stale thoughts
Into beauty, delight, joy
New day, new thoughts, new enthusiasm
Light from within
Open the door, windows wide
Fresh air, deep breath

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” – Henri Nouwen