I spoke at a retreat last weekend on the theme of “Beginning Again” from St. Benedict’s beautiful line, “Always we begin again.” If you’ve read my blog in the New Year, then you know that concept has really become significant to me, a reminder that proficiency isn’t life’s main goal. Instead, we wake up and—with intention—begin again in most every area of life. Thanks to grace.

I talked about beginning again with ourselves and how gnarly it is when we realize what we will do at our own expense. The ways we will sell ourselves out. The ways we will ignore getting well. And, also, if we’re willing, the ways we can firmly stand on our own team with compassion and care. Day after day.

I also talked about beginning again with others because, and maybe this is just me, but when I’m feeling overwhelmed and I’m turning on myself in the midst of my overwhelm, I tend to not want to let people see me in that state. But, I’m learning, this is also a part of getting well. We begin again with others. We send the text asking for prayer. We let someone else help. We allow ourselves to be in need and we allow someone else to meet us in that place of need. We let ourselves be seen when what we’d rather do is hide. This is revolutionary.

Dr. Seuss writes: “I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.” Beginning again with ourselves and with others changes the game. We stop drowning in the void of self vs self, one small decision at a time.

Do you need to begin again with yourself in some way?

Do you need to begin again with someone in your life?

I believe in you,

Leeana

[photo by Katie Gardner Photography]