“Mom, do me a favor and don’t ever just give up, ok?”
“Ok, giving up isn’t really my thing…”
“Yeah, I know. I know it’s hard right now with school and things.”
“Thanks, E. Are you worried I’m going to give up?”
“No, maybe, I dunno. It’s good that you’re asking for support, I like that you know when you need it and that you ask for it.”
“That’s part of being human, we all need to care for each other. Asking for help is in no way giving up, sometimes it’s the only way to make it through.”
“Yeah.”
“You know why asking for help is a really good way to prevent giving up?”
“No, why?”
“Because once you ask for the support, you have to show up to receive it.”
************************************************************************
The power of showing up over and over, consistently, consciously, continuously is known to the folks who do it and keep doing it. The fantasy of laying low and the busting on the scene for the dramatic climax is a powerful trope in our society, but it’s a belief that keeps us from investing in the imperfect moment of now.
This is not a post about the grand entrance. This is not a post glorifying the moment the seal is broken. This is not a post about thunderous revelation or lightening bolt epiphany. This is a post celebrating the persistence of being. The middle span between high and low where foundations are created.
On this night ten years ago there was a Blue Moon. I went into my backyard and meditated under that moonlight. It was that night that I began my process of showing up. First I had to learn how to show up for myself, then for my children and now my community. It’s taken me 10 years to learn how to do this.
And there is no grand entrance on the horizon. Just more showing up. Just more making sure shit gets done. Just more responsibility and more incremental rewards. Happy self, happy kids, happy folks. The swings between high and low are minimal in my life. I keep as even a keel as possible.
It’s witches’ New Year’s Eve, for this witch, it’s the eve of a new decade. Tonight I’m celebrating a decade of getting shit done. Wearing the cloak and hood as the goddess of thankless tasks. Asking for the continuing strength to end what needs to end and begin what needs to begin.
