A poem for the New Year

Here’s something that gripped my heart recently:

Suppose that what you fear
could be trapped,
and held in Paris.
Then you would have
the courage to go
everywhere in the world.
All the directions of the compass
open to you
except the degrees east or west
of true north
that lead to Paris.

Still, you wouldn’t dare
put your toes
smack dab on the city limit line.

You’re not really willing
to stand on the mountainside
miles away,
and watch the Paris lights
come up at night.

Just to be on the safe side,
you decide to stay completely
out of France.

But then danger
seems too close
even to those boundaries,
and you feel
the timid part of you
covering the whole globe again.

You need the kind of friend
who learns your secret and says,
“See Paris first.”

                                                            — “Fearing Paris,” by Marsha Truman Cooper

Oh man. That last line — “See Paris first” — it reverberates through me every time I read this.

Can I write it again? SEE PARIS FIRST.

Of course, the question is: What is your “Paris”? To me, it’s that nagging feeling that something needs your attention. It’s that subtle “something is off” feeling about something in your life.

Most of us will travel the whole world, going everywhere except our own “Paris.” We’ll work on all kinds of parts of ourselves…except that one. But, of course, the longer we wait, the more complex, gnarly, unsettling “Paris” becomes.

So, today, let me be that kind of friend for you.

Today, let me suggest: Hey you, why don’t you see Paris first?

…

I first read “Finding Paris” in James Hollis’ lovely book “Swamplands of the Soul,” which I highly recommend.

As always, you’ve got this. I’m rooting for you.

Katie