To all who connect with me on a regular basis - an
apology for my absence over the last few months. There have been reasons. Two long periods of ill health and, in
between, a very special pilgrimage.
It wasn't all bad. For a month, I travelled
2,000 miles around Britain with a visitor from New Zealand. Our tour took in some beautiful scenery and
stunning wildlife. We spent time in some really 'thin places', enjoyed some
amazing experiences, traced Joy's family roots on the islands of the Southern Hebrides, and felt the closeness of God along the way. A true pilgrimage, in every sense of the
word.
And, as all good pilgrimages do,
it changed me. It changed me in many
ways, but the question I came home with is "How can I intentionally live
in ways that enable me to become my best self?". I had an immediate opportunity to reflect on that when,
after that hectic and happy time travelling, I was frustratingly hit by a nasty
illness that laid me low for almost a month.
Officially, it was diagnosed as a virus, but I suspect it was as much
about my body forcing me to have a period of complete physical and mental rest
- a time perhaps when my soul needed to catch up.
There's a significant relationship between soul care and
healing, isn't there: something I'll be
exploring in my upcoming retreat at Penhurst.
When life gets out of balance and we neglect those things we need for
our own wellbeing, the body frequently responds with dis-ease. Good soul care
can sometimes contribute to our healing.
For now though, I'll be pondering that question: how can I intentionally live in ways that
enable me to become my best self? Think
I'll start by stepping up the soul care.
How about you?
.
