Greetings!

This past summer, I wrote an article on my blog about self care for clergy.  But, I realize that everyone needs to be intentional about self care. This month's Bishop's newsletter. encourages everyone to find ways to balance the demands of life.  I've also included a video from our kitchen table, in which I discuss the value of food as a spiritual discipline.

In 1992, I began to seek a new call.  I had served a church and school in Brooklyn, New York for a little less than six years, and after that time and work - I was burned out.  Toast!

When I made the move to Charlestown, Rhode Island in 1993, I made a commitment to be in ministry for the long haul.  That meant finding a balance to work, life and play.  While I love the work of ministry, I also wanted to be someplace for the distance - I was making the shift from sprinter to marathon runner. 

Here is what has worked for me. Beg, borrow and steal what works for you.

1. Form deep and lasting friendships with people.  As a pastor, I sought to have friends both inside and outside the church.  I believe it's important for people to have friendships outside their work setting.  I encourage everyone to view the cultivation of friends as a spiritual discipline.                                            
2. Find a hobby or passion that takes you in a different direction.  For me this was a recovery of my interest in photography, which had begun at the age of 12. Photography allowed me to explore both a creative as well as a technical outlet.  I'm not sure what your thing will be - painting, carpentry, rugby, pottery, motorcycles.  Explore, experiment.  
3. Find a good spiritual director and hang with them for years.  I have had several different spiritual directors ever since I was in seminary.  That's nearly 30 years of SD.  Wow!  You'd think I'd be more spiritual by now.  In each of the four cities that I have lived, I've sought out someone who could help me understand myself, and my connection (or lack of) to God.                        
4. Get physical.  My wife likes to walk with a friend, I like to go to a gym and work out. Another friend rides a bicycle.  What are you doing to get those endorphins going?  Our modern world is geared toward a sedentary lifestyle.  We were created as physical beings.  God gave you a body -use it.  Most of us need a partner to do this well, so find someone else who wants to start walking in the afternoons.  Out of everything on this list, I would suggest starting with this one - you'll have more energy to do the others.                                                
5. You are what you eat.  Our U.S. American diet just plain stinks.  It is a wretched display of fats and sugars.  If in 1950 there had been a commission set up to create a food supply that was designed to increase obesity, clog arteries, create more cancer and heart disease and diabetes, in 2012 they could look at the food supply in America and realize they succeeded.  I don't know how you do it, but find a way to detox. Join a 12 step program.  Start an eating well group at your church.  

Food & Health

Taking care of you is an expression of who we are as Christians. The list above has some suggestions that work for me.  I'm not perfect at it - I'm still a sucker for cookies and ice cream.  I occasionally slough off the afternoon workout and sometimes think, "Oh there is so much work to do.  I can't take time for me."  But, I'm committed to this marathon, and now that I'm serving as bishop, I'm realizing the importance of self care. 

You owe it to yourself, your family and friends.