One of my tools to keep me on the right track is to sign up – and read – any and all newsletters that will inspire and energize me. Of these, one of my biggest inspirations is Chris Guillebeau, the creator of The Art of Nonconformity.

In today’s AONC newsletter Chris posted a poem by the amazing Mary Oliver, whose work has always moved and inspired me.

What perfect, serendipitous timing!

Oliver expresses exactly what I’m feeling right now. I’m reposting it here in the hopes that it may inspire you, my imaginary audience.

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you kept shouting

their bad advice–

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

“Mend my life!”

each voice cried.

But you didn’t stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late enough,

and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world, determined to do

the only thing you could do–

determined to save

the only life you could save.

~Mary Oliver