For leaders and many caregivers, organizational life turns heavily on a strange rhythm of gatherings called meetings. No one admits they like meetings and everyone says they want less of them. Having attended thousands, I can often see why many people dread them. Meetings can raise energy, but most meetings drain it away. No one wants more meetings. Everyone would like more meaningful meetings – gatherings in which the mission of loving care is truly advanced.
Most faith-based, and some other organizations, begin meetings with a brief devotional. It usually 
takes a few minutes after which the leader will often say something like: "Now let’s get down to business." The brief devotional is tossed aside by most as a necessary evil rather than a true source of inspiration to inform the texture of the rest of the meeting. This can change if leaders and team members find the courage to make a few changes. The typical meditation in the Journal takes less than three minutes to read…
In fact, most meditations are written to be read in a few minutes with the hope that the reader will reflect awhile longer and absorb the reflection into their being. Our spirits must be fed as well as our minds and bodies. When caregiver spirits are not refreshed with reflection, burn-out can settle in.
Meditations remind us of the meaning of our daily endeavors. A key sign of burnout is a loss of meaning in our work.
Each day, we ask others how they are doing. An equally important question is: How are you being?
Three minutes reading a meditation – here in the Journal or from some other source – can help support caregivers who are seeking to be present to life. That is the principle goal of the Journal – to help you in your goal to be present – to help you breathe in meaning and breathe out Love.
Ritual #1, the subject of the previous meditation, was the Three Second Pause which I encourage caregivers to take before (and during) each encounter. Three seconds to take a breath and reflect on the sacred nature of caregiving work.
Ritual #2, today’s subject, calls us to set aside a Three Minute Reading and three more minutes to reflect. We need to quiet ourselves at different moments across the day because it is in the quiet 
space that we can reconnect with Love’s light.
Take a few minutes now, to pause, breathe and reflect. I know you’re busy. I also know you would like to breathe more life into your days. Three minutes reading a meditation like the ones presented here in the Journal can help you find your breath and your heart.
See you here tomorrow.
Journal of Sacred Work 
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