An Invitation to Live

A poem for the New Beginnings that a New Year offers

(I took this picture in the vineyards of Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2014.)

Perhaps the art of harvesting the secret riches of our lives is best achieved when we place profound trust in the act of beginning. Risk might be our greatest ally. To live a truly creative life, we always need to cast a critical look at where we presently are, attempting always to discern where we have become stagnant and where new beginning might be ripening. There can be no growth if we do not remain open and vulnerable to what is new and different. I have never seen anyone take a risk for growth that was not rewarded a thousand times over.

— John O’Donohue

It is the last two sentences here of John O’Donohue that I want to sit with and invite you to sit with me here also. Don’t move too quickly here and pass the wisdom he is offering us. This year, my friend, might just hold a new beginning for you as you take a risk for growth.

This is precisely why new beginnings are so important. When we think of it, we are always beginning—a new grade in school; a new job; a new church; a new city; a new opportunity and so many other portals to discover great truths about ourselves, the world and the Creator of it all. New Beginnings are invitations to always start again. I see this like taking a new step of faith—putting faith to action for yourself and the sake of the world. These new beginnings are spiritual; emotional; physical, relational, and may impact our vocation. There are many ripples to anyone who takes a new beginning.

So, here is my poem for myself and perhaps a few others as well. It is about my own new beginning and in the poem, I invite you to remember with me, some of what I’ve written about this new beginning: my pruning; my stump life; my eventual greening; my invitation to write poetry from within this rich and vibrant season and the expansion of my faith. You’d have to scroll back to read some of what I’ve written in Substack to have the back story of this poem. I’ll spare you of telling you this again.

This is a poem of great hope and it is my truth. My invitation to become alive was not something I thought was possible. I thought I would just dry up and die as a stump. But that is not the case as the poem explains.

Join me on January 6 for a long lunch with me and Peter Ivey where I’ll read this poem live to you and we will discuss John O’Donohue and explore his masterpiece in his poem, “For a New Beginning.” We’ll also pray the compelling prayer penned by Thomas Merton about discernment and finding our way forward. Peter Ivey will read one of his new poems for the new year and together we will reflect upon the Great Annual Examen, a way to think back through five areas of your life to gain clarity for what you really desire and want in the new year. You can register below—all the information is here:

To help with this, I want to invite you to consider a few opportunities.

1. Consider downloading your copy of The Great Annual Examen. This is a guided exercise, based on the wonderful work of Ignatius of Loyola to reflect back in order to move forward. You can download your own copy or consider getting the version where you can make multiple copies for your family, church or organization with granted permission. Here’s the Link to Review Your Options.

2. Join Peter Ivey and myself as we are offering a live, 2 hour online retreat on Zoom on January 6, 2025 at Noon EST. where a limited number of folks (50) can join us for a guided and reflective time to consider the New Year using poems and the Great Annual Examen. When you register, you’re provided with a copy of the Great Annual Examen in your fee. Start now to do a section a day or plan a time when you cna have uninterrupted time to complete the Examen. Doing this kind of work is enhanced by a community like this where sparks ignite other sparks and the flame is brighter together. Here’s the link to consider the January 6 OnLine retreat. This will also be recorded and available if you’re unable to attend or for future reference. We will use the poetry of John O’Donohue, Thomas Merton, Stephen W. Smith and Peter M. Ivey. You’ll get your copy of the Great Annual Examen when you register. Give some time PRIOR to our lunch retreat with it. That’s important.

And now, I hope you’ll reflect on my poem in the dawn of the New Year and for sometime to come!

As you read the poem, what one line or phrase stands out? What triggered something in you and is inviting you to hold space for your own new beginning?

Please leave a comment so we can all benefit from our collaborative processing!

Every blessing!

Steve