{"id":234,"date":"2011-07-30T11:41:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-30T11:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2011\/07\/the-first-harvest\/"},"modified":"2011-07-30T11:41:00","modified_gmt":"2011-07-30T11:41:00","slug":"the-first-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2011\/07\/the-first-harvest.html","title":{"rendered":"The First Harvest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

In a new post on her blog, author and teacher Thorn Coyle asks \u201care you harvesting what you expected?<\/a>\u201d I normally think of Lughnasadh as a time for thanksgiving. Samhain \u2013 and the secular New Year \u2013 is when I think about reviews. <\/p>\n

But there is value in taking frequent looks back. We set goals earlier in the year, we made plans \u2013 how are we doing? Are we where we thought we\u2019d be? Are there triumphs we need to celebrate? Do we need to make course corrections and reset our feet on our chosen paths? <\/p>\n

At the very end of 2010, I wrote this in my personal journal: <\/p>\n

Be the guy who\u2019s spreading the word, promoting the faith, articulating Pagan concepts and values. For the mainstream folk, preach God-in-Nature and the sacredness of the Earth. For Pagans, preach the Old Gods and Goddesses. Do your Daily Practice. Read. Think. Write. Teach, speak and lead ritual. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How am I doing? I\u2019ve had more opportunities to write and speak in public than I ever thought possible and more are coming. I\u2019ve recommitted to my daily practice<\/a> and I\u2019m taking it deeper than ever. I began some new studies I\u2019m not ready to discuss yet, but that will prepare me for new things and open more doors in the future. This hasn\u2019t been perfect and I see some places where I need to make some tweaks, but to answer Thorn\u2019s question, yes, I\u2019m harvesting what I expected.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I\u2019m struggling to do some of the things I need to do to support my spiritual calling. I need to eat better. I need to bring some structure to my physical exercise. And some things which occupy large blocks of my free time are going to have to be reduced or eliminated \u2013 I need more time for reading and more time for rest. <\/p>\n

Which brings us to another theme of Lughnasadh \u2013 sacrifice. At Mabon the apple trees will give their fruit and go on living, but at Lughnasadh the grain is cut down to feed us. Sacrifice is a sacred act, but it is also an act of necessity.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a reminder of that by Damh the Bard<\/a>. Happy Lughnasadh.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a new post on her blog, author and teacher Thorn Coyle asks \u201care you harvesting what you expected?\u201d I normally think of Lughnasadh as a time for thanksgiving. Samhain \u2013 and the secular New Year \u2013 is when I think about reviews. But there is value in taking frequent looks back. 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