111 Invitations offers a pathway of possibility and understanding, exploring the full range of human experience and emotion. The poems, prayers, and reflections invite entry into a new and deeper awareness of self. Accepting these invitations is an opportunity to: • slow down and tune into inner wisdom • be with life’s questions • express the truest version of self • explore life’s contrasts and contradictions 111 Invitations reminds us that peace can be created in the midst of whatever life offers and that moments of unrest are natural and temporary. The reality we create is up to us. The greatest invitation is to boldly step into the full richness of life, with all of its uncertainty, glory, and pain – to live life wholeheartedly. "Let Barb's writings soothe the busyness and shed the burdens so you can invite peace, calm, and blessings back into your heart..." ~ HeatherAsh Amara, author of Warrior Goddess Training "Dig in to these invitations the way you’d put your hand into a mystery sack of treats, pulling out carefully and with anticipation a delicious delight that will please your palette and your senses. With each treat will also be the bonus of discovering yourself within. Read and soar." ~Laura Berman Fortgang, author of The Little Book on Meaning "This beautiful, soulful collection of poems and prayers reminds us of the power of sitting with life’s big questions…" ~ Renee Peterson Trudeau, author of The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life, and Nurturing the Soul of Your Family
111 Invitations
Step into the Full Richness of Life
By Barb KleinBalboa Press
Copyright © 2016 Barbara Klein
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5043-5526-1Contents
Foreword, xi,
Opening, xiii,
Introduction, xviii,
Beginning, 1,
• The First Invitation, 2,
• I Sit on the Sidelines, 3,
• How Often?, 4,
• A Prayer for New Beginnings, 5,
Begin Anew, 7,
• Wake Up!, 8,
• Yes!, 9,
• Look through the Eyes of Love, 10,
• Your Story, 11,
• This Day, 12,
• One Day at a Time, 13,
• Yes or No?, 14,
• A Fulfilled Life, 15,
A Turn into the Unknown, 17,
• Between, 18,
• Standing on the Threshold, 19,
• Inner Work, 20,
• Full Expression, 22,
• Freedom, 23,
• The Angels Want, 24,
• Loving Ourselves, 25,
• The Places We Grow, 26,
• Don't Lose Yourself, 27,
• Remember, 28,
Show up to Life!, 31,
• A Prayer for Georgianna, 32,
• A Soul Felt Its Worth, 33,
• Show Up, 34,
• Embracing This Life, 35,
• Never Doubt, 36,
• Limitless Possibility, 37,
• A Mystery, 38,
• Your Last Day, 40,
• Tragic, 42,
A Twist into Doubt, 44,
• Slay the Dragon, 45,
•A Powerful Ally, 46,
• Shadows and Doubts, 48,
Authenticity, 50,
• Touch the World, 51,
• If You Only Knew, 52,
• Steps, 53,
• We Lose Ourselves, 54,
• Magnificent, 55,
• Being Me, 56,
• Vulnerability, 57,
• Essence, 58,
• Shooting Star, 59,
Stillness, 61,
• True Connection, 62,
• Presence, 63,
• In the Stillness, 64,
• Merely Being, 65,
A Quiet Turn, 67,
• Yoga, 68,
• Sleep, Sweet Child, 69,
• Retreat, 70,
• Peace Within, 71,
Nature's Soothing Embrace, 73,
• Let Nature Transform You, 74,
• On the Water, 76,
• Simple Moments, 77,
• Seeking Serenity, 78,
Twisting into Turbulence, 80,
• The Rat Race, 81,
• Lifeline, 83,
• Inconceivable, 85,
• In the Dumps, 86,
• The Lotus, 87,
• Denial, 88,
Acceptance and Surrender, 90,
• Acceptance, 91,
• Finding the Flow, 93,
• Lay Down the Burden, 94,
• Serenity, 95,
• Hold Me Steady, 96,
Separate Lives, 98,
• The Dance of Our Lives, 99,
• My Greatest Teachers, 100,
• I Have Always Loved You, 101,
• Love and Let Go, Sweet Mama, 103,
• A Parent's Love, 104,
• Untethered, 105,
Finding Grace, 107,
• Message from Above, 108,
• Grateful, 109,
• Best We Can, 110,
• Center, 111,
• Guide Me Gently to Grace, 112,
• Grace, 113,
Lost in Confusion, 115,
• Wondering, 116,
• Powerless, 118,
• Confusion, 120,
• Don't Let Me Lose Myself., 121,
• Clouds, 122,
• Stronger than You Think, 125,
Inner Guidance, 127,
• Silence, 128,
• Choices, 129,
• A Walk with Essence, 130,
• Answers Lie Within, 131,
• Finest Expression, 132,
• Within You, 133,
• Listen, 134,
Be Real, 136,
• Lean In, 137,
• Let Me Be, 138,
• Challenging Passages, 139,
Shared Journeys, 141,
• Wish I Could Do More, 142,
• The Web of Your Life, 143,
• Hearts Intertwined, 144,
• Come with Me, 145,
• Be the One, 146,
• A Showering of Grace, 147,
Rebirth, 149,
• Healing, 150,
• Truth, 151,
• Nurturing New Life, 152,
• Heal Thyself, 153,
• Free Yourself, 154,
• This Pure, Precious Moment, 155,
• Rise Up!, 157,
Gratitude, 159,
• Old Me, New Me, 160,
• Illumination, 161,
• I Am Blessed, 162,
• A Prayer of Gratitude, 164,
Closing, 167,
Walk the Labyrinth, 169,
Acknowledgements, 171,
CHAPTER 1
Beginning
The First Invitation
Being born is life's first big invitation.
The angels smile lovingly upon you
with a whisper:
"Come, sweet little one.
Come grace the world with your gifts.
You are a light.
Come.
Shine brightly the glory that is you.
Come.
Learn your lessons.
Brighten the world.
Welcome.
We are so glad you are here.
Flow in grace
and be who you were born to be —
there is no other like you.
Come."
From your very first stirrings,
your very first breath,
life invites you to show up
and be all you were born to be.
Life calls you
to question, wonder, and discover
the world that awaits you.
I Sit on Sidelines
I sit on the sidelines
enjoying the view —
nothing to risk here,
nothing at all.
Just be an observer ...
put my head down,
avert my eyes.
No one will notice.
I like it that way.
I'll never be chosen
to enter the game.
I have nothing to offer —
no remarkable talents at all.
I'm content in this land
of nothing to lose.
It's safe and it's cozy.
I don't have to choose.
Sunrise to sunset.
The daily mundane —
mealtimes and bedtimes
mark my days.
How Often?
How often have I entered a space
trying to be invisible,
believing that no one
wants to know me,
hear me, or see me?
Believing it wasn't safe?
Denying even the attraction
from those who dare to approach
despite my fortress walls.
How often have I...
