For Those Who
Have Far to Travel
An
Epiphany Blessing, by Jan Richardson
If you
could see
the
journey whole
you
might never
undertake
it;
might
never dare
the
first step
that
propels you
from
the place
you
have known
toward
the place
you
know not.
Call
it
one of
the mercies
of the
road:
that
we see it
only
by stages
as it
opens
before
us,
as it
comes into
our
keeping
step
by
single
step.
There
is nothing
for it
but to
go
and by
our going
take
the vows
the
pilgrim takes:
to be
faithful to
the
next step;
to
rely on more
than
the map;
to
heed the signposts
of
intuition and dream;
to
follow the star
that
only you
will
recognize;
to
keep an open eye
for
the wonders that
attend
the path;
to
press on
beyond
distractions
beyond
fatigue
beyond
what would
tempt
you
from
the way.
There
are vows
that
only you
will
know;
the
secret promises
for
your particular path
and
the new ones
you
will need to make
when
the road
is
revealed
by
turns
you
could not
have
foreseen.
Keep
them, break them,
make
them again:
each
promise becomes
part
of the path;
each
choice creates
the
road
that
will take you
to the
place
where
at last
you
will kneel
to
offer the gift
most
needed—
the
gift that only you
can
give—
before
turning to go
home
by
another
way.