Hey Reader,
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Why do you do what you do?

I don't mean Reader, why do you always use the same mug for your morning cup of tea - but more 'what is it that drives you to keep plugging away at your business/job/relationship/family life'?

Because understanding your why is what helps you to dig deep when things are tough.

It helps you to trust the process and be confident that the pursuit is worthwhile, even if you aren't entirely sure what you are hoping for. Knowing the deepest root of your why, can mean that when you are in a season of feeling discouraged or derailed, you can pivot your direction, give yourself permission to stop and start again, or even try something new.

It short, it gives you vision.

To be honest, I've not always been entirely sure of my why.
I knew from about thirteen years old that I wanted to act professionally. I knew that I felt most alive when on stage as part of a play or musical, and that I had an enormous hit of the blues as soon as the run was over.
I knew that I was talented at singing with my heart - and I was good at creatively inhabiting and telling a story with my whole self. So the journey of actor training and getting work in my chosen profession was something that made sense for a long while - and it absolutely still does, despite the long season away from that world.

BUT, what I have discovered along the way is that more than simply being in plays and shows - which I love and miss doing massively - what actually drives me is the desire to see people connect with their own stories, and ultimately to connect to the author of the one big story we are all part of.

I also realised that I love to work as in community - passionately honing our eloquence for sharing and reflecting the beauty and truth of our inherent dignity and belovedness; offering hope and comfort in pain, empathy with suffering, and celebrating with abandon when joy is dancing high.

There is nothing like the camaraderie and connection of working with a group of people to bring a story to life.

To mine the work for truth and connection in rehearsals, the creative excitement of seeing the ideas become a physical reality in set, lighting and sound design, and the shared vulnerability of stepping out together in performance - offering that precious story to the audience - hoping that they will see themselves in it.
My longing is for the work to offer comfort, validation, hope - and courage to carry on working for more.

It is a rush, and it is also immensely hard work.
But the joy of knowing that you have birthed something beautiful into the world is a privilege that is hard to beat.

For me, over these past nearly eleven years of mothering, I have had to learn to lean in to the story of now, recognising the value of honing my craft for a much tinier audience. It has meant getting to the heart of the story and seeing the joy in these amazing humans who came out of me. These people, who were created hidden from view out of the love and stories of both Pete and I, already with their own stories furled to develop and unfold.
It's been my job to build community right here, to share the love I know, and to grow more in my compassion and empathy, and in my understanding of what it means to share an experience of story. And it has been a humbling process.

And at the same time, I have still had opportunities in church, on stage, over a cuppa, and out and about - to use my voice, my words, my artistry, my whole body and my actions - to build other people up and encourage them to connect to their story.
Because in doing so, we are more able to connect to each other & to the author of our story, and ultimately learn to walk in greater freedom.

This is my why.

It's why I keep writing to you, and making cards, and leading worship at church, and singing silly songs, and dancing, and performing characters, and setting psalms, and recording podcasts, and coaching people, - and generally refusing to stay quiet!

Some days it can feel like I am doing it all into a void - but I know that I am not. Because I am seen in my efforts by the author, and such valuable efforts do not return empty - even if I will never see their impact. But it does require trust.

Yours are also seen and treasured - and my desire is that you would know just how valued you are too.

So what is your why Reader, and how can you lean more fully into it this week, to find the courage and the joy to keep going?

On The Podcast

In case you missed the start of the new season, here are the links to the past three episodes, and they go live at 9am BST Thursdays on all the usual platforms, or click the links below.

Episode 036 Quiet & Space How do you create without some quiet and space to pause, reflect and learn to hear your own heart and thoughts?

Episode 035 Felix Felicis & Other Tangental Clarity What if those following those tangents and rabbit holes actually brought you closer to your goals than you realised?

Episode 034 Rhythm & Ritual How can we put in (or take things out) little rituals and shape to our days that offer us a sense of rhythm and an anchor point for feeling like ourselves?

Reading, Listening & Watching

The Maid by Nita Prose - It's a story of a murder in a hotel, and the central character Molly isn't as aware of what is going on as clearly as you, the reader become. She's a delightful heroine, and the way the story unfolded was heartfelt and slightly unexpected. I really enjoyed it and found myself reading late into the night - always a good sign.

The Dance of Intimacy by Harriet Lerner Ph.D - This was a really helpful book about the nature of relationships, seen in all their complexity and offering stories and practical techniques for working on the intimacy and connection in relationships in your own life. Not in any ways exclusive to couples, I have found it has given me food for thought as I navigate my own wider relationships.

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I don't know if you've been watching The Rings of Power series on Amazon Prime, but Pete and I have and as a result, I have been having another attempt at The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien - this time narrated by Martin Shaw on Audible, and I have been enjoying diving deeper into the backstory of the whole of Tolkien's world. It's dense and rich, but with more of a visual to help me connect the dots, I've found it easier to get into this go around.

And as it is officially Autumn now 🍁 🍂 Pete and I have started re-watching Gilmore Girls together in the evenings, complete with cosy cuppas and candles, and I has really been filling me up! We've started from season three, and are very much enjoying re-visiting the old favourite.

What are your favourite seasonal & comfort reads or listens?

Blessing

May you seek to hear your own heart in the quiet moments -
May your deepest WHY become clearer -
And may you have the courage to keep pursuing rest, joy and rhythm in your life -
as you lean into your reasons for doing what you do.

Have a wonderful week,
God bless,
Cassie x

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