"From the Inside Out"

“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.”

— Alison Pothier

The story

Originally, 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 and I wondered, What do I have to say that can help a couple just starting out? Searching for an answer, the words didn't come ... at first. While family and relatives dressed for the occasion, I withdrew to my tiny bedroom at the top of our house and prayed for words that would make a difference. Looking out the window, only moments before we had to leave, I began to write what I saw ... and the words arrived in my ears.

"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, struggling to choose a name for my new retreat center, a dream said the name had already been given to me through my poem, "From the Inside Out". The logo was then drawn for me. That is how "Inside Out Retreats" got its name and brand. From the day we opened, I handed out bookmarks of the poem as our ethos, editing the words to a more diverse application ... for its message is 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.

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.