Sometimes, everything seems difficult. Life is overwhelming. Physical or mental pain may seem to take over our world, events just keep crashing down on us, there seems no way out…
What we need at those times is a single light. Be it an actual flame – the pause as we light a candle and take a breath – or something external that ‘sparks’ us back to ourselves from admist the chaos… we need the reminder that we must hold on. We battle through, for the sake of ourselves and those who love us.
As Pagan folk, there should be any number of Inspiring Things which help during crazy times. But that’s easier said than experienced. When you can’t see the path for the sheer noise around you, you might simply not be able to see what you need to, what’s right there waiting to help.
We need that candle-moment, that pause, that breath. It’s a skill, certainly: cutting through with a mental laser, to reach who we are at source. The I, Me, Self, who may well be sitting, trembling, curled in a ball and unable to move. Or who’s banging on a thick glass wall, trying desperately to be heard.
It’s impossible to act truly if you aren’t truly in your Self. If the true, inner Core of you has been squashed down, nullified and silenced by sheer busy-ness. Once that Self has been rescued, the breaths will come more easily. You throw your Self a lifeline, remembering who You are and what’s important. What do you need to do, right now? The rest can wait.
One thing at a time. What can you do? Even one breath, then another. One Thing. One spark, to light the flame.
Once you’ve accomplished that, the rest begins to flow more easily. The flame within you remembers that it’s needed to keep you alive and warm.
I always have an actual candle lit by me when I work. It keeps me reminded. Sometimes the hardest thing is to get to the point of lighting it… but once it’s there, I believe that I can do what is needed.
Know that this light is burning for you as well, my friends.
(Originally published on my Patreon, 7 September 2018. To see an exclusive post such as this every week, please do consider supporting me – it really does help keep me going.)
The Catbox 
Dale Marshall said
Love this crazy sync
noaidi1 said
Thoughtful post.
DragonflyChaser said
Strange how one comes across things when one needs it. I’m currently ‘stuck’ (mentally) in the car..unable to drive home or go anywhere else. I’ve found a quiet spot to park under some trees. Your post made me think. Whilst I’m struggling and focused on that, I’ve found I also stopped somewhere I find soothing. Its quiet (even though just outside the city). There is wind in the trees to be heard. Leaves drifting to the floor. Squirrels chasing about…I cant get out of the car but I can begin to relax a little.
It is sometimes so difficult to find a switch in thinking from the trauma to the salve.
I appreciate your words.
Thanks Cat x