This is simply so inspiring--one of my dearest instructors gave a copy to all of us in school at the very beginning of the year, and it truly was/is an invitation to simply BE. It is what began one of the most incredible years of metamorphosis that I'll probably ever see in my own lifetime; I felt I should share it here for some of the newbies just now joining the QT Fambly, and anyone else in search of a reminder of what it means to simply LIVE...Enjoy! ~Ashley~


"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 center of your sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine & your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

"I want to know if you can be with JOY, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

"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 faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours or mine, and still stand on the edge of a 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 are, or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center 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. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."

This definitely speaks to me. In all the relationships I develop, I seek truth.... the real person. This says it so eloquently. Thank you Ashley for sharing this.

Thanks for posting this. It's reminded me that I have her book which goes into detail about each thought here. I think I'll dig it out of the stacks and re-read it. The title of the book is the same as this writing in case anyone is interested in finding it. It would make a wonderful Valentine's Day gift for someone you love. My sister gave me my copy for my birthday a few years ago.

Hi Ashley,

I agree with you on the book. It is a great one!I borrowed it from the library and did not get it back in time, had to pay late fees. hehe 1.80!!! Got it back the day before I came back to Brasil. Money well spent.

But it does seem like everyone wants to say what they do or have done, or their medals or whatever, and not "just be"! Me included.

Namaste, Dennis

Yes, I've got the book and it is a good reminder to let go and be and be done with all the attachments.

Definitely will be there around the 13th in Rio dennis. will keep you posted
Love
wendy