Checking In
It's okay to take a break, catch your breath, & say what you need
Hello again,
How’s everyone doing this week?
I get the sense that you too are feeling the busy-ness of summer settling in, and that giving yourself permission to enjoy things like book clubs is not coming as naturally as it did a month ago. I know that I didn’t envision I’d be making an international move when I started Viriditas, and I’m tempted to feel guilty or critical of myself when I’ve needed to make adjustments to things around here because of that change. But you know what? Sometimes we have to make adjustments, and it’s okay. It’s good, even. I’ve often heard people say that ‘we are not machines’, and I love this alternative from Joy Clarkson:
So in the spirit of Joy’s wisdom here, I thought we’d make some adjustments to our schedule and take this week as a chance to check in with ourselves and each other. We can return to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn next week, but in the mean time I wonder if you’d like to join me in the comments to share what’s nurturing your own spirituality this summer.
Whether or not you’ve been involved in the book club so far, I invite you to take a moment to reflect. Give yourself permission to close your eyes, take a deep breath, maybe journal or simply take time and allow thoughts to come. What are you noticing about your relationship with yourself, others, the world around you, and/or the transcendent? Where are you feeling most connected? Disconnected? What do you need?
I’ll share my own answers in the comments, and I’ll be very glad to meet you there and offer support or help if I can.
Here’s an updated schedule, but please don’t worry if your own schedule looks different. Take the time you need and check in when you can.
July 21 - Chs 27-35
July 28 - Chs 36-42
Aug 4 - Chs 43-49
Aug 11 - Chs 50-56
Something else I’m considering if there’s sufficient interest is a ‘live chat’ in the comments of the final post for the book club, in which I will be attentive to comments for a set time and invite you all to come and go during that period as well. If I were to do this in the evening of 11 August Central Standard Time in the US, I wonder if you’d be able to join? Alternatively we could pick a weekend day. I know we’re all checking in from different time zones, so do please let me know in the comments what you think of this idea!
As ever, I’m grateful to each of you for joining me here. I hope the rest of your week is what you need it to be… whatever that looks like today. I leave you with this blessing from John O’Donohue.
A Blessing for Presence
May you awaken to the mystery of being here
And enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift
And find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and anxiety never linger about you. May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift, Woven around the heart of wonder.
I’ll see you in the comments,
Janette x
Feeling a bit 'in-between' this summer.
Usually I enjoy the in-betweenness that summer can provide. A gap to relax and recharge. However, I don't feel the need to recharge. Instead I feel pressure to do and to go. I should be less hard on myself or maybe I should ride the wave... Who knows? Maybe after this year and a half of cutting myself a break, I just need this uncomfortable momentum to kick start whatever comes next.
For the past 2 weeks, my family and I have been on vacation in Alaska. My last trip there was 18 years ago (at which time my husband and I got engaged). The trip was such a healing salve to my spirit. I felt God everywhere...so much of our trip was in nature. We are not particularly outdoorsy, but this trip really pushed us to try new things....really dig deep for those memories. We went glacier climbing, rafting and took a wildlife cruise. We learned about the Alaska native populations and saw what life was like for them. This trip was very different for us. We needed it so badly.
In all the good, there was some hard. We had 2 ER trips for my youngest son due to his underlying health concerns, and in those moments, I wondered whether I made a mistake bringing him all the way up to Alaska. The doctors there treated his needs and got us back on our way. I should tell you that my sister is a nurse, and she travels with us to provide support for Tate. She is very good at her job, but we still needed more help I wondered if the ER team judged my parenting choices, but as I left, one of the doctors told me I was BRAVE because we did what most people in our situation wouldn't do. We knew the risks and we took them to give him this trip. And guys...he was SO HAPPY for the last 2 weeks. But this trip really wasn't for him. It was for my other kids...who sat on the sidelines for the last 2 years while everything revolved around Tate. We are healing together...learning how to navigate waters that are dark and deep. My family has taught me to be brave.