Beautiful, Candace. Your introduction before the hand lettering gave me the impression that this is how we keep faith. This is how we minister to ourselves and to our neighbours. With this small, tiny voice of truth. With a smile. With a yellow daffodil. With a gentle reminder. The world doesn't need another great philosopher or spiritual leader. What we need is love. kindness. compassion. acknowledgement that this, too, is hard; and not all hard things are bad. And that wherever we are, there is still light.
Amanda, I can't begin to thank you enough for your beautiful and moving words -- I want to write them out and keep them close by in the weeks and months to come. Here's to keeping the faith, one humble daffodil at a time 💛 Big hugs and gratitude to you!
Oh, bless you, Candace! Thank you for bringing those particular words of John O'Donohue to us just now, along with the surprise of the first daffodils and your own warm and wonderful light. I feel the warmth and love you are emanating. You are such a gift!
Thank you so much for your moving words here, Susan! I'm so glad John's blessing spoke to you as much as it did to me -- it was just what I needed to hear, and his line "Gather all the kindling" has especially become a kind of mantra or koan for me this week. Sending a big hug and much gratitude your way today 💛💛
Yes! I couldn't agree more with you, Katharina -- I absolutely believe joy is resistance, and I even wrote about it in a subscriber essay early last year, after things began to grow dark in the US. I'll share it with you here, just in case you'd like to read it :)
And I so hope you'll be able to get a copy of "To Bless the Space Between Us" soon -- it is truly the kind of book you turn to again and again, and there is always something to speak to the moment life finds you in 💛💛
Ah I'm so glad to hear that, Heather -- it is truly the kind of book you turn to again and again, and there is always something to speak to the moment life finds you in 💛
Your insightful creative posts have sparked inspiration for me. I also really have enjoyed this book, it’s new to me, but feeling blessed by what I’ve read so far. 😇
Ahh I'm so glad to hear you've also begun reading "To Bless the Space Between Us," Ángel -- thank you for letting me know! To share another of my favorites, you might also enjoy reading John's blessing, "For the Artist at the Start of Day." I just find them so beautiful and moving in their specificity 💛💛
Magnificent, Candace. Thank you for this. And that spectacular daffodil. Those flowers always amaze me with their resiliance against the snow. In Truckee, we planted daffodils all over our front yard, but there was a particular bunch of them that always emerged before the rest of them did. Because of that, they would repeatedly be beaten down by the snowstorms that came in spring. Truckee winters last about five-six months, often dumping several feet in April or even May. Those daffys always stood tall when the snow melted back. They always sprang back up to shine their sunny blooms in defiance.
"They always sprang back up to shine their sunny blooms in defiance." Sue, those might be the most poignant words I've read all week to speak to this moment -- thank you for your beautiful comment, and for all the resilience and hope it contains 💛💛
In this crazy world where some of us wonder if we should do much more, your kind words help me understand that just a simple phrase can make a difference to someone. I hope you and your family are well and enjoying the promise of spring.
Yes! I just shared in another comment here that the line "Gather all the kindling" has really become a kind of mantra or koan for me this week -- it jumped out at me while I was doing the lettering for this post, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then. I hope you've been able to gather enough kindling this winter as well, Switter 🙏
Ahh I love hearing that, Minaz -- I was about to say it's wonderful to meet another fan of John O'Donohue, but that doesn't feel like the right word at all. Perhaps more a fellow devotee :) Thanks so much for reading and being here! 💛
Ahh I'm so glad to hear that, Jacqueline -- I shared in another comment here that it is truly the kind of book you turn to again and again, and there is always something to speak to the moment life finds you in. I hope it's a beautiful companion for you! 💛
Much needed beauty in these dark times. Grateful for John O'Donohue, daffodils, and you.
Leah, thank you so much for your moving comment -- I'm so glad John's words spoke to you as much as they did to me 💛
Beautiful, Candace. Your introduction before the hand lettering gave me the impression that this is how we keep faith. This is how we minister to ourselves and to our neighbours. With this small, tiny voice of truth. With a smile. With a yellow daffodil. With a gentle reminder. The world doesn't need another great philosopher or spiritual leader. What we need is love. kindness. compassion. acknowledgement that this, too, is hard; and not all hard things are bad. And that wherever we are, there is still light.
Amanda, I can't begin to thank you enough for your beautiful and moving words -- I want to write them out and keep them close by in the weeks and months to come. Here's to keeping the faith, one humble daffodil at a time 💛 Big hugs and gratitude to you!
There is so much darkness and wrongness in the world right a lot of it caused by an orange, daffodils are so pretty
Thanks so much for reading and being here, Jo 💛
Oh, bless you, Candace! Thank you for bringing those particular words of John O'Donohue to us just now, along with the surprise of the first daffodils and your own warm and wonderful light. I feel the warmth and love you are emanating. You are such a gift!
Thank you so much for your moving words here, Susan! I'm so glad John's blessing spoke to you as much as it did to me -- it was just what I needed to hear, and his line "Gather all the kindling" has especially become a kind of mantra or koan for me this week. Sending a big hug and much gratitude your way today 💛💛
Thank you so much for this! I need to find this book and get several copies to spread around! Joy is resistance and you keep giving me joy! Thank you!
Yes! I couldn't agree more with you, Katharina -- I absolutely believe joy is resistance, and I even wrote about it in a subscriber essay early last year, after things began to grow dark in the US. I'll share it with you here, just in case you'd like to read it :)
https://dandelionseeds.substack.com/p/dear-pine-cone
And I so hope you'll be able to get a copy of "To Bless the Space Between Us" soon -- it is truly the kind of book you turn to again and again, and there is always something to speak to the moment life finds you in 💛💛
Thank you so much for reading and being here!
Thank you... we all need this tiny spark.
Absolutely, Cate -- I'm so glad John's words spoke to you 💛
Oh so welcome this post! Thank you.
I'm so glad John's words spoke to you as much as they did to me, Julie 💛
Always.
Thank you. ❤️
💛💛💛
I just ordered the book, it sounded like just what I needed.
Ah I'm so glad to hear that, Heather -- it is truly the kind of book you turn to again and again, and there is always something to speak to the moment life finds you in 💛
Your insightful creative posts have sparked inspiration for me. I also really have enjoyed this book, it’s new to me, but feeling blessed by what I’ve read so far. 😇
Ahh I'm so glad to hear you've also begun reading "To Bless the Space Between Us," Ángel -- thank you for letting me know! To share another of my favorites, you might also enjoy reading John's blessing, "For the Artist at the Start of Day." I just find them so beautiful and moving in their specificity 💛💛
Thank you for your reply Candace 😌 I’ll be sure to look for that book too 🤗
Magnificent, Candace. Thank you for this. And that spectacular daffodil. Those flowers always amaze me with their resiliance against the snow. In Truckee, we planted daffodils all over our front yard, but there was a particular bunch of them that always emerged before the rest of them did. Because of that, they would repeatedly be beaten down by the snowstorms that came in spring. Truckee winters last about five-six months, often dumping several feet in April or even May. Those daffys always stood tall when the snow melted back. They always sprang back up to shine their sunny blooms in defiance.
"They always sprang back up to shine their sunny blooms in defiance." Sue, those might be the most poignant words I've read all week to speak to this moment -- thank you for your beautiful comment, and for all the resilience and hope it contains 💛💛
In this crazy world where some of us wonder if we should do much more, your kind words help me understand that just a simple phrase can make a difference to someone. I hope you and your family are well and enjoying the promise of spring.
Some much-needed warmth and comfort in these dark and trying times. Thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for letting me know John's words spoke to you, Frances -- I'm so glad to hear it 💛💛
So good. We all have dark seasons in our lives and need to gather our kindling and a single spark.
Yes! I just shared in another comment here that the line "Gather all the kindling" has really become a kind of mantra or koan for me this week -- it jumped out at me while I was doing the lettering for this post, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then. I hope you've been able to gather enough kindling this winter as well, Switter 🙏
I remember reading Donahue's work as a kid. Truly heartwarming❤️
Ahh I love hearing that, Minaz -- I was about to say it's wonderful to meet another fan of John O'Donohue, but that doesn't feel like the right word at all. Perhaps more a fellow devotee :) Thanks so much for reading and being here! 💛
Just beautiful, as always, and oh so needed. I, too, am ordering a copy of the book. 🙏💓
Ahh I'm so glad to hear that, Jacqueline -- I shared in another comment here that it is truly the kind of book you turn to again and again, and there is always something to speak to the moment life finds you in. I hope it's a beautiful companion for you! 💛
I just want to echo what Leah Rampy said. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much, Og -- I'm so glad John's words spoke to you 🙏