Excerpt from my quarterly newsletter, designed to let you learn about my latest thoughts and activities, and to ask questions or leave stories. To subscribe, click here.
As the new year opens, I want to begin a discussion about the shared responsibility of tending to our relationships, a discussion where cultural, social, spiritual, and individual wholeness are vital and intertwined.
We are born whole, healthy. Our life is on track. But over time, as we try to please, to fit in, to belong, we lose pieces of ourselves. Bit by bit, our wholeness gets chipped away. Take heart. With intention, we can put ourselves back together again. And we can do the same thing in our communities.
It’s taken me many years to retrieve the lost parts of myself, many years to learn the nuances of burnishing and polishing the soul. Now, it is my responsibility and my joy to give back, to pass on that blessing. And I need your help for that.
Here’s what I want to know from you:
What steps are you taking to restore yourself and become whole again?
How are you helping your community become whole again?
Let’s hear from you so that others can benefit from your experiences.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this and encouraging others to do the same.
For me, reflection and quietude are restorative. And when I’m refreshed, I’m better prepared to help others and my community.
As a musician, I’m helping my community by working with other musicians at my church. Many people are dealing with difficult circumstances in their lives, and through listening and prayer, I’m able to help.
I’d love to hear from other readers as well!
John
Thanks for your reflections, John, & for being the first person to share your thoughts about community… & what it means to flourish.
Caring for ourselves, so that our own wells can be full as we care for others is essential… we can sometimes lose sight of this, so thanks for your reminder.
I deeply appreciate your gifts – musical & spiritual – that you offer so generously.
Deep bow, my friend.