And why does it speak so strongly?
So often our world puts such weight on material things, and things the eyes can see - but it forgets about the real treasures, the ones that live within us. I learned long ago (in business and in life) not to put too much weight on the words that come from people's mouths, because words are cheap. Instead, I measure someone by their actions. These speak to the beating heart that lives inside.
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 dreams, 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 to life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from the 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.
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. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy!
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day, and if you source your life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on 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 for 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.
