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In a world that loves success, independence, expertise, perfection and winning life's battles:
I LOVE the foolishness of living day by day with the consequences of love and melting down the walls that divide us with tears that flow from hearts broken open by love.
I LOVE living here in Belfast and showing the world that there's a love story here worth telling - a story of tomorrow where our people are living together in peace, embracing their diversity and singing a new song together to the beat of our different drums.
l LOVE that our breakdowns today and our sure defeats tomorrow are because in the midst of fear and threat and loss and grief we still believe that LOVE can transform EVERYTHING.
I LOVE having friends in Israel and Palestine, Syria and Iraq who know despair just like mine and still choose LOVE.
I LOVE having friends who know what it is to be different and never question their belonging.
I LOVE being part of a community where I am already loved and already forgiven without ever having to ask.
I LOVE that there is a place for everyone where they can shine brightly.
I LOVE Children, Ice cream, Chai Latte, Good Books, Hot Lavender Baths, Bright Silk Scarves, Open Fires, Snow and Walking by the Sea.
AND ... I LOVE THIS POEM!
Self Portrait
It doesn't interest me if there is one God
Or many gods.
I want to know if you belong -- or feel abandoned;
If you know despair
Or can see it in others.
I want to know
If you are prepared to live in the world
With its harsh need to change you;
If you can look back with firm eyes
Saying "this is where I stand."
I want to know if you know how to melt
Into that fierce heat of living
Falling toward the center of your longing.
I want to know if you are willing
To live day by day
With the consequence of love
And the bitter unwanted passion
Of your sure defeat.
I have been told
In that fierce embrace
Even the gods
Speak of God.
~ David Whyte ~
(Fire in the Earth)
