Monday, November 22, 2010

The Isolation Trap



There is a trap that first responders like police officers fall into. It works like this:





First responders typically spend their days dealing with an endless round of tragedy. Every day they deal with people who stop communicating with words and start communicating with fists. All week they attend an interminable series of accidents and heartache too often caused by someone's stupidity. All month they deal with an ceaseless see of faces of people trapped in addictions which are fueled by a life of crime. You may think that the upcoming Christmas season, advertised as a time of peace and goodwill to mankind, would be an exception to this. That's not the police officer's perception. Christmas is the time of year when people who haven't seen each other for a long time get together, have a few drinks... and then remember why they haven't seen each other in a long time. For the cop, Christmas is an unending series of interventions in violent domestic squabbles. The world is a chaotic and often dangerous place.





Here's the trap: Because this is all they see in a backbreaking schedule of lengthy shifts and overtime, they sink into the perception that this is all there is out there. That, as you might imagine, is a pretty depressing place to be.





First responders aren't alone in this. On my daily walks I frequently pass people plodding to the bus stop, the store, the appointment, head down, shoulders hunched, avoiding eye contact, fearful of the world around them.





So here's what we all need to do for one another. When you pass that person in the street, say hello. When you're at the store, hold the door for the person behind you, and say hello.





That's it. Just smile and say hello.





By doing this you're reminding these people that this chaotic world doesn't just contain tragedy, that the bedlam they percieve actually has some sane inhabitants. There are good people out there, though we sometimes don't notice them. It doesn't hurt to remind others about that. Actually it makes a big difference, because it makes people feel that they have a purpose and that they are not alone. Especially at this time of the year.



For more thoughts about Yule, check out the Order of Scathach blog: http://scathachisland.blogspot.com/


In Her Service, Kerr

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Ancient Soup Recipes


I just posted some ancient soup recipes on my fantasy writer blog if anyone would like to check them out: http://caennis.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Pagan Religions Book Update

Lots of people have been wondering what is happening with the 4th edition of the Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca, which has been renamed Pagan Religions: A Diversity Training Manual. I got the updated manuscript with a few final questions from the editor at Acorn Publishing last Friday and got the reply back to him Monday morning. He assures me that this should be the last of the editting and that he will get down to the business of final layout. So hopefully this book will be out soon.

Bright Blessings, Kerr

Monday, November 1, 2010

Gatetway Home


Thrakos Shadowwolf wrote to me about a week long program that he is putting on for soldiers returning to civilian life called Gateway Home: A Warrior's Transitional Journey.


WHO: Former Military personnel of Pagan/Heathen/Wiccan spiritual paths who feel they have not yet successfully reintegrated into civilian life or who feel emotionally stuck in, or haunted by, their past military experiences.


WHAT: An intensive week long seminar journey through classes, workshops, and Rituals transforming the former soldier into a true Warrior with the skills and wisdom to create a personally satisfying and honorable future.


WHEN: Mon. 15 November - Sun. 21 November 2010


WHERE: 20 Acre organic mini-farm and forested nature retreat on the Cumberland Plateau. 1 hr. N of Chattanooga, 2 hr. SW of Knoxville, 2.5 hr E of Nashville, TN.


FOR DETAILS AND REGISTRATION GO TO: http://www.swordandcauldron.org/


SPONSORED BY: Temple of the Sword and Cauldron