I wondered if I might be of service as a well keeper today by actively reconnecting with what I found energizing in my youth. I was raised in a Catholic community that stressed the importance of vocation. While at that time, that often translated into a calling to religious life, I was very fortunate to be educated by nuns who were very much ahead of their time and stressed the importance of answering your calling, sharing your gifts and therefore being of service in whatever way was uniquely you. I think I became a well keeper in part because as an adult, I discovered the work of Teilhard de Chardin where he posed the question of what is humanity's calling. This possibility fueled much of my life, but the richness of the possibility had diffused for me. Today, I found myself drawn back into, and remembering, how essential both questions are for me in the present moment.

In addition to spending some time in meditation today, and taking a special walk around the local pond, I dipped back into de Chardin and read the whole of "The Universe is a Green Dragon". This was Brian Swimme's effort 40 years ago to translate de Chardin and others into more accessible language. The very end of the book speaks to our role as "fire keepers" and I think the spirit of it is the same as that of this group. As I head off to bed with the intention of more awareness when I rise, I wanted to remember this from his summary:

"As we lie in bed each morning, we awake to the fire that created all the stars. Our principal moral act is to cherish this fire, the source of our transformation, our selves, our society, our species, our planet. In each moment, we face this cosmic responsibility: to shape and discharge this fire in a manner worthy of its numinous origins. ... This is the central fire of the entire cosmos: it must not be wasted on trivialities of revenge, resentment or despair. We have the power to forge cosmic fire. What can compare with such a destiny?"

Today I have been reminded that I need to use my metaphysical hearing aids on a daily basis and not leave them in the drawer. There are still messages out there for me, and contributions to make. Thank you for helping create this space of love, encouragement and possibility together.