Two years ago, I shared with a senior colleague that I was craving more time to think about non-legal things and try my hand at creative writing. We were simpatico in our inclusive approach to corporate law, he approached everything with an openness and curiosity that I appreciated, and he always had wise words to share about my scholarship. I knew he would have a lot of thoughtful things to say about my latest revelation. Instead, all he said was “I want you to listen to this.”
The “this” was an interview of John O’Donohue, Irish poet and philosopher, by Krista Tippett. Titled “John O’Donohue - The Inner Landscape of Beauty,” in it O’Donohue discusses cultivating one’s own interior landscape, a theme I explored in my essay, On Guides and Journeys | The Brevity Blog - WordPress.com, and one which I gravitate towards.
In the On Being Interview, the words roll off O’Donohue’s tongue, and you can tell that he is speaking from a place of authenticity, clarity, and spirit.
“Beauty is not just about nice, loveliness,” he says, “beauty is about more rounded, substantial becoming…”
“Beauty is about an emerging fullness, a greater sense of grace…a deeper sense of depth, and also, a kind of homecoming for the enriched memory…”
But here is where he got me:
“Your identity is not equivalent to your biography. There is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there is a seamlessness in you, and where there is confidence and tranquility.”
After listening to that interview, I took a two-year leave of absence from law teaching.
I do not have it all figured out, but what I have learned is identity is not biography, but when biography becomes identity, therein lies your life’s work and your bliss.
Wishing you all things good,
Tamara
/P.s. Thanks for being part of a community of people who share your interests in these tiny moments of joy. If you ever want to share your own SIITL moment, I would love to hear from you! Please “like,” subscribe, share, or drop me a line in the comments section below. /|./
Thank you for this one. I'm going to find that On Being episode and listen today!
Such a powerful post!