"FROM THE INSIDE OUT"
Poem & Song
"FROM THE INSIDE OUT" by Alison Pothier
“For when the horizon overwhelms or fills you up with doubt, don’t look for your tools from the outside in, look from the inside out.”
The story behind the poem & music
I wrote this poem for my sister's wedding. It was the first time I was to speak in front of family and friends after my divorce. I wondered, What do I have to say that can help a couple just starting out? At first, no words came. Family and relatives dressed for the occasion, but I withdrew to my tiny bedroom at the top of our house, praying for words that would make a difference. Just moments before we had to leave, I looked out the window and began to write what I saw. In that moment, the words arrived into my ears as if someone was speaking them to me.
"The sun comes up, your wedding day, as I search my heart to find,
the words that are of a different gift, one of a lasting kind."
Months later, I found myself struggling to choose a name for my new retreat center. A dream told me that the name had already been given to me through my poem, "From the Inside Out". In the dream, the logo was drawn for me. That night, "Inside Out Retreats" got its name and its logo. I handed out bookmarks of the poem to all who came to our centre, but I edited the words to make its message universal.
xx Alison Pothier
Universal Version
From the Inside Out
The sun comes up, another day and you search your heart to find
the who you are, the one you knew, the one you left behind.
You make a vow, 'to myself be true' as you start to piece together
that life you dreamed up as a child that clouded with the weather.
So you'll need some tools to guide your sails the right way from today ...
a compass point, an anchor, a light to show the way.
For when the horizon overwhelms or fills you up with doubt,
don't look for your tools from the outside in, look from the inside out.
From the inside out there's clarity, you can see with the inner eye.
You can use the lungs within to breathe a deeper sigh.
From the inside out your inner voice speaks the vow with which you start
and there you'll find encouragement nestled deep within your heart.
From the inside out, the compass faces a different pole ...
from the inside out, the compass points to your inner soul.
When the soul is given voice, it is armor against the weather
and you can protect against the storms ... rise up, light as a feather.
--
copyright Alison Pothier
Wedding Version
From the Inside Out
The sun comes up, your wedding day as I search my heart to find
the words that are of a different gift, one of a lasting kind.
You make a vow to today be true to love and laugh together
but with best intent, no malcontent, you can cross some stormy weather.
So you'll need some tools to guide your sails the right way from today ...
a compass point, an anchor, a light to show the way.
For when the horizon overwhelms or fills you up with doubt,
don't look for your tools from the outside in, look from the inside out.
From the inside out there's clarity, you can see with the inner eye.
You can use the lungs within to breathe a deeper sigh.
From the inside out your inner voice speaks the vow with which you start
and there you'll find encouragement nestled deep within your heart.
From the inside out, the compass faces a different pole ...
from the inside out, the compass points to your inner soul.
When the soul is given voice, it is armor against the weather
and you can protect against the storms ... rise up, and stand together.
--
copyright Alison Pothier