Some of the best blessings we know can be found in Irish poet John O’Donohue’s book,  Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom. We first learned of it from reader Mary Kelly who nailed it when she wrote, O’Donohue celebrates our wildness and crazy strength…

We find this a fine benediction for an ordinary day:

May the light of your soul guide you.


May the light of your soul bless the work


You do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.


May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.


May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those


Who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.


May your work never weary you.


May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.


May you be present in what you do.


May you never become lost in the bland absences.


May the day never burden you.


May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,


Possibilities and promises.


May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.


May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.


May your soul calm, console and renew you.

 

We offer this Benediction from Anam Cara in PDF form to download and print or carry with you.

 

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2 replies on “Benediction for an Ordinary Day (John O’Donohue)

  1. I’ve been inspired by the children down the street who have been using sidewalk chalk to beautify the walkway and send inspiring messages to the many people in our older neighborhood who use the sidewalks daily. My life is barely under control for the foreseeable future, so I was looking for a quick creative outlet with minimal materials needed. The sidewalk in front of my house now bears the three O’Donohue lines above. I hope to change out the message every week. Thank you for the perfect works to begin my sidewalk talk!

  2. I am so impressed that you wrote O’Donohue’s lines in chalk, and plan to make a practice of it. I never thought of “sidewalk talk”. If you can, please take a photo or two and send them on. I’d love to see them: [email protected]

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