In one of the funnier book I have read (and reread many times) the central characters are English witches. They are not the typical witches of North America, scary and haunting but practical in the midwife/caretaker/medicinal ways that wise women used to hold before the fear of evil set our imaginations alight.
In the old ways, the stories have apprenticeship and guides from elders, those that had more experience. One dialoged between two of the elders goes like this:
“Did she help people?” Miss Level added. “She made them help one another, she said. “She made them help themselves.” Miss Level sighed. “Not many of us are that good,” she said.”
Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky
In chaplaincy our ministry is to help people reconnect to ways they have used to help themselves and those they love, it is not a quick fix but an awaking of knowledge the heart already holds. And while we do many other things like rituals, worship, prayer: this is the heart of our learning/teaching. To remind those in our care that the wisdom to heal and sustain is already present in their hearts and minds. So today let us tap into our own hearts for the wisdom we already possess (even if it is buried in busyness) and share it with each other and those in our care.
We have within our caring community the means to make life rich and rewarding.