What's Rotting Inside You?

considering the wisdom of the desert

A blue heron on the Milwaukee river.

The Verba Seniorum is a collection of sayings from the fourth century Desert Fathers, a group of Christian hermits who left behind cities in order to dedicate themselves to the love of God and others by living in solitude, simplicity, and humility among the rocks and sand of the desert.

Lately, I’ve been sitting with their sayings by reading Trappist monk and mystic Thomas Merton’s The Wisdom of the Desert, and here’s one I wanted to pass on to you to ponder.

If you have a chest full of clothing, and leave it for a long time, the clothing will rot inside it. It is the same with the thoughts in our heart. If we do not carry them out by physical action, after a long while they will spoil and turn bad.

―Abbot Pastor

Now, consider… Is there something in your heart that is starting to spoil?
A necessary conversation?
A stalled calling?
A neglected creative project?
An postponed adventure?

---

I’ve been up to a few things this year… If you’re new around here or need an update, check out my latest (re)introduction on Instagram:

akabenkatt

A post shared by @akabenkatt

Looking for longer form thoughts? Check out my new book The Way Home: Discovering the Hero’s Journey to Wholeness at Midlife.