Like you, this was not the year that I had hoped for. So much disruption, loss, and chaos… So much “acedia” – a word from the 5th century that describes a state-of-being, perhaps less like clinical depression, and more like a restless agitation of the spirit- a mixture of boredom, listlessness, fear, and uncertainty (Zecher, 2020). It has been a year of decreased “productivity.” In my case, this meant that my work abruptly pivoted away from teaching at university & seminary, and I was thrust more deeply into bi-vocational work as a mental health provider and as clergy caregiver. Even as I was training pastors throughout 2020 on resilience in the midst of compassion fatigue, I myself had to be deeply intentional in my own practice of radical loving-kindness to myself as the caregiver, as well as to others. This required a new habit; one that brought me closer to Creation. It was not what I had hoped for, but it may have been what I needed.
For sister clergy in Los Angeles, I invite you to join me for “Junia time in the garden” to debrief about your year- the unanticipated losses as well as the unforeseen triumphs. If this appeals to you, reach out, and we can make an arrangement to cover your admission to the garden, and meet up, safely distanced, masked (and in my case, gratefully vaccinated) for an hour. Afterward, you can enjoy as much of the rest of the day as you like in nature.
