“How can the soul or the world be re-enchanted once it has lost the enchantment? Only by returning to the story of the soul and retelling it up to the point of fracture; only by placing our own story within the the context of the greater song.”

–Caitlyn Matthews, The Celtic Spirit:  Daily Meditations for the Turning Year

Day 343 – Welcome 2018.  I knew I wanted to do something a bit different with my jlog (prounounced jay-lawg) this year, but couldn’t really figure it out.  I could feel my shift in November and December back into dance; the space and health opened up to me.  My head, body, and spirit are in the right place and I welcome the transition from 2017 into 2018, although still reluctant to put out goals into the universe.

Today, Rolf names his internal point of focus as usually being his heart.  He goes on to describe how his favorite is god, writing:  “Opening my heart and my mind to freight trains of love, I sit still and let the light pour into my soul.  This is worthwhile.”  To hear one’s heart, one’s soul, one must go deep within and, through practice in stillness and contemplation and letting go, discover what one’s purpose truly is.   And while I play many different roles within the context of everyday life, the work I’ve done over the past few years, particularly in 2017, has nurtured forgotten dreams and rekindled hope in 2018 (and beyond).  And it is worthwhile to cultivate this.

As I hear the pounding of the Fred’s weights on the back porch (deadlifting, yes), and the blowdryer in the bathroom (Nina’s just come from a long bath, using all the hot water), and the pitterpatter of dog feet and purring of the cats, situated strategically around the house (two in Harry’s room, two on my bed, and one in a closet), I can only be grateful for all that love has created–even if there’s no hot water.  Indeed, this is “freight trains of love” and worthwhile.

As I move into 2018, I’m going to continue with Meditations from the Mat, restarting in a few short weeks.  I am also going to incorporate Caitlyn Matthew’s The Celtic Spirit book, which is quite marvelous.  After a year or two spent in “disenchantment,” searching for ways to break ennui and pessimism, which Caitlyn Matthews describes as states where “our soul’s story is out of phrase with its sacred connection,” I’ve come to realize that enchantment, hearing those “ancient choirs of songs” of my ancestors–perhaps not the yogi’s–propels my soul’s story back on track.