Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Solstice
  Druids celebrated the summer solstice as the wedding of heaven and earth. The Catholic tradition celebrates it as the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. How did you celebrate the longest day of the year last Friday eve?
   Sometimes the event falls on June 21. This year, it occurred, technically, on June 20.
   The real question, of course, is not the length of our days, but how we live them. If we never find our sacred eyes, it doesn’t matter how long the day is because our heart will never notice.
   So many struggle to live longer lives as opposed to living better lives. As any afflicted old person can tell you, life may not feel so precious when its quality has been compromised.
   That is the gift each caregiver brings to those who suffer in illness. Caregivers can heal with loving care as well as with medicine. They can restore meaning to broken lives with the special touch of their hands and hearts. 
   You may have missed the experience of watching the last rays of light as they faded into Friday night. You may have been standing by a bedside, filling out a chart, or starting the night shift.
   Whether you noticed the length of the day or not, I hope you will celebrate love in each hour that remains in this year. How are you doing drinking in the quality of your days? Which is more important to you, the length of your minutes, or their quality? How do you invite the exquisite into your life?

-Erie Chapman

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3 responses to “Day 175 – Summer Solstice”

  1. Karen York Avatar
    Karen York

    It was a fabulous weekend here in Nashville, with warm days and breezy evenings. I celebrated the solstice by being outside as much as possible soaking up the energy of the new season. The extended daylight invigorates me to complete more projects, perhaps feeling a little guilty watching TV inside, when it is so glorious outside. I drink in the quality of each day by paying attention to the exquisite in nature, in human engineering, in the texture of my daughters’ skin, in the seemingly impossible design of a butterfly wing. It’s all a marvel and a mystery to me.

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  2. Yvonne Ginez-Gonzales Avatar
    Yvonne Ginez-Gonzales

    I love summer solstice. It comes once a year just like any other holiday or event on the calendar. I remember in High School, one of my teachers had made reference to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. We were told that the “midsummer night” is actually the night of the summer solstice. It is said that on Midsummer Night elves and fairies come out in great numbers. In some traditions, the summer solstice is the time of the Sun God. How funny to have remembered that all these years. It was a beautiful night as my children, my husband and I went up to the Griffith Observatory to see the sun set. The weather was warm and the night was clear. It was a wonderful time to share as a family and explaining to my little ones what summer solstice is. I was in wonder as I watched their little faces lit up as I shared with them about the elves and the fairies, that I had learned about in high school. They are moments I will never forget. I feel blessed to have these opportunities.
    SUMMER
    Summer dawns, the Solstice drawing near
    I walk among the stones of bluish-grey,
    Towering arches in a mighty circle lay
    And I in thought of ancients walking here.
    I touch a stone, a central altar piece,
    I feel a surge of power rise in me
    A shudder through my body, none can see
    The spirit enter, whilst my hand release.
    Blue sky above, larks rising high in song
    And all around me glows the power’s light
    Strains of the pipes of Pan my ears delight
    My feet respond, I rise in dance so strong.
    Barefoot amongst the green mounds of time,
    Arms upstretched swaying and entranced,
    Over mounds and grassland I have danced,
    Over resting places of ancient rhyme.
    Cease the music, power’s light growing dim
    Sunset forms a dragon to the west
    Red and powerful, Uther’s renown crest
    My eyes transfixed, I crumble limb by limb.
    Gentle drumming drifting on the air
    White robed figures leading majestic march
    Approaching the altar set within the arch
    Drumming getting louder, torches flare.
    The night goes on; dawn approaches fast,
    Looking east the sky in silver hue,
    Heel stone in grass heavy with dew
    Beholds the mighty Sun God’s strongest blast.
    Peasants cheer and celebrate the sight,
    Dawns the longest day and end of reign
    For Sol must surely turn the Wheel again
    From end of sunlight into shortest night.
    Sit and marvel at the blooming flowers
    Feast on, make merry till the close of day
    Drink ye ale, remember summer gay
    As Sol begins to weaken through the hours.
    ‘Tis Midsummer’s Day!
    ~ Darkwing

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  3. Diana Gallaher Avatar
    Diana Gallaher

    I’m in a place right now where I ponder summer solstice and think, “It is all gift.” And of course gratitude flows.

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