Quotes and Testimonials

The Invitation

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer



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 centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled 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, be realistic, 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 is 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 at 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 centre 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.

 
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson



 “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

 – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Testimonials


"I came to counselling this time with the intention of unravelling and better understanding my role in a difficult relationship. I found Steve to be welcoming, supportive and non-judgemental. His ability to really deeply listen and reflect has helped me to find my feet again. After nine weeks I feel more solid, more sure of myself and more able to speak my own truth without fear. Steve has a gentle way of showing an unconditional acceptance that has encouraged me to rediscover my own acceptance of myself. His skill and commitment have also built my trust in the counselling process. Thank you." AP 










"As you know, I was processing some very difficult news and dealing with a variety of different emotions when we first met. However, I really appreciated the way you let me talk without trying to interrupt or steer our sessions in a certain direction. I felt as if I was in control of the sessions and you were acting as a sounding board for my thoughts.


With your help I have been able to overcome those emotions and get to the point where I now feel ready to continue with my life and start a new chapter." MC


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