I don’t care what you do for a living;
I want to know what you long for; and whether you dare to dream
of fulfilling your heart’s desire.

I don’t care how old you are;
I want to know if you’re willing to risk looking foolish
for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

I don’t care what’s bothering you;
I want to know if you’ve connected with the core of your own sorrow.
Whether you’ve been stung by life’s disappointments;
or whether you’ve shriveled up, shut yourself off, out of fear of the pain.
I want to know if you can endure pain—from me and from yourself—
without pushing it away or clenching your teeth.

I want to know if you can embrace the pleasure I give you and the pleasure you give yourself,
if you can dance with abandon, let ecstasy wash over you
all the way to the tips of your fingers and toes,
without urging caution, realism, or reminding us of human limitations.

I don’t care if the story you’re telling is true,
I want to know if you can let someone else down in order to be honest with yourself;
if you can bear the suspicion of betrayal without betraying your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful, and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty, even when not every day is equally beautiful;
and if you can trace your life back to its source.
I want to know if you can live with failure—yours and mine—
and still stand at the edge of the lake,
and shout “YES” to the silver glow of the full moon.

I don’t care where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if, after a night filled with sorrow and despair,
tired and broken to the core, you can get up
and do what needs to be done for the children.

I don’t care who you are or where you’re from;
I want to know if you’ll stand by my side when it really matters and
won’t back down.

I don’t care where, what, or with whom you studied;
I want to know what remains of you when everything else fades away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself;
and if you truly appreciate what your own company means to you in quiet moments.

– Oriah Mountain Dreamer –