creative unearthing podcast with emma freeman

In this episode, I read a beautiful poem by John O'Donohue called, "For a New Beginning" from his book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings. I also share why this poem is meaningful and healing for me in my art practice and my life. John O'Donohue was an Irish poet, philosopher and spiritual teacher. 

For a New Beginning

By John O'Donohue

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Emma Freeman, the host of Reflections from My Art Table podcast, is a queer mixed media artist who works in many mediums including textiles, fibers, collage, mark making, book making, drawing and cyanotype. She designs greeting cards, fabric and other products and teaches online art classes as a teaching artist. She is a highly sensitive person and has a playful, contemplative art practice. She lives in Wisconsin in the United States. You can learn more about Emma through her website www.emmafreemandesigns.com and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/emmfreemandesigns.

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