Darlings –

So here’s a thing…

You know the expression, “Physician, heal thyself?”

There’s a similar one.

“Preacher, hear thyself.”

When I wrote to you last week, I felt as though I was at the end of my rope, burned out, knowing I wasn’t giving you my best work, but pushing through to try to do the best I could.

I was trying dig deep, find something meaningful, remind people of something helpful, something that would nourish your spiritual lives, something concrete and actionable.

I told you that sleep was essential to creativity. I told you that Americans are chronically underslept. I told you that deep rest is one of the “magic bullets,” along with enough water and movement, that can keep us well in body, mind, and spirit.

And then, dear friends, a week later, I realized that I had worked 18 days in a row.

18.

I was working flat-out on new projects, on responding to people, on offering new aspects of ministry, on writing, on letting people know what I’m up to. The work was good.

But eighteen days? Really?!

I didn’t even KNOW when I sent that video and love letter that I was really writing to myself.

How is it that we get into these “Do what I say, not what I do” moments? How is it that we can become such hypocrites?

That’s how I feel right now. Like a big hypocrite.

Then again, human. Human I am, and I know I’m not the only one among us who’s overworking and/or missing our own messages.

So this week’s Reflections is unusually short.

Why?

Because I’m going to spend the rest of the day lounging, playing with my fountain pens, writing letters to friends and family, and perhaps taking TWO naps. I might read about whales. Or even dig into the new novel my wife has been telling me about. Or listen to a podcast or two – something not directly related to my ministry.

I love you. AND I need to fill the well and listen to my own words.

I do have one exciting thing I want to share, though, before I sign off. This week, February1-2, is the fire feast of Imbolc, sacred to the Goddess Brighid, and one of my favorites. Some of you have asked that I offer something for the holiday. Not just the usual short video, but something a little more substantive.

I decided that I still don’t have the energy to write and coordinate a whole ritual this year. My apologies if you were hoping for that.

BUT!

I’m going to try something new…So do watch your Inbox this coming Friday or Saturday for something a little “meatier” or, as we in Stone Circle Wicca say for those of us who are vegetarian, something with a little more avocado.

Love you so much.

Signing off for a nap –

~Catharine~