I am not interested in how you earn your living,
I want to know what you aspire to,
And if you dare to dream of fulfilling the burning desire of your heart.
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I'm not interested in your age.
I want to know, if for the pursuit of love and your dreams,
For the adventure of feeling yourself alive,
You will risk being considered crazy.
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I am not interested in the stars that cross your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own suffering,
If the betrayals you’ve experienced have opened you up,
Or if you wilted and shut down for fear of future hurt.
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I want to know if you can live with pain, whether it’s yours or mine,
Without stirring it up to hide it, diminish it, or fixate on it.
If you dare to dance, overwhelmed with ecstasy down to your fingertips and toes
Without being prudent or realistic and without remembering the conventions of humankind.
*
I am not interested in the truthfulness of the story you are telling.
I want to know if you are capable of disappointing someone in order to stay true to yourself.
If you support the accusation of betrayal, without thereby becoming unfaithful to your soul.
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I want to know if you know how to trust, and if you are trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty, even on dark days
And if you can find the source of your life in the presence of this beauty.
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I want to know if you can live with failure, whether it’s yours or mine.
And yet still stand at the edge of the lake
And shout: “Yes!” to the silver disc of the moon.
*
I am not interested in where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if, after a night of sorrow and despair,
You can get up and do what is necessary for the children.
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I am not interested in who you are or how you got here.
I want to know if you can stay in the center of the fire with me, without backing down.
I am not interested in what you studied, where, or with whom.
*
I want to know what supports you inside when everything else crumbles.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself,
And if you truly enjoy the company of your empty moments.
Oriah Mountain Dreamer (an Indigenous Elder)
Have a good day… Marylena