From the President

I was moved by the recent coverage of President Ford’s funeral proceedings.

As I watched, floods of memory gushed into my head. It was an odd feeling. I remembered news reports from thirty years ago, recalling my reactions and perceptions as a twenty-something; automatically comparing them to the more contemplative responses of a fifty-something.   Yes, I had other things to accomplish that day; however, I couldn’t tear myself away from listening to dignitaries and family members speak about a man who wouldn’t speak about himself nor his accomplishments.

Mr. Ford never sought the office of vice president nor president. He was content to serve the people in the House of Representatives. This made me consider what he accomplished in his short tenure as president. I considered his wisdom in the very unpopular decision to pardon Richard Nixon, which in retrospect, was the best action to take at the time.

The fact that he never sought the office of president makes him very different than every other president of our nation with the exception of George Washington. Mr. Ford was a reluctant leader. Even so, he stood up and did what needed to be done.

When I consider the landscape of national politics as a macrocosm, I can also reduce this landscape to the microcosm of contributing to the practice our Keltrian spirituality. I think about the wealth of our membership and wonder how many of our own reluctant leaders are out there waiting for someone else to write that article or essay for Henge Happenings. I wonder how many reluctant leaders choose to wait for someone else to start a study group.

In the quarter century that I have been active in the pagan community, I have seen many leaders come and go. As a rule, the people who have sought leadership roles did not have the staying power, while those who stepped up to the challenge simply because there was a need have had the most lasting success.

Service of the membership is the way to ensure that the Henge of Keltria will thrive.

Just do it.

Walk with wisdom,
- Wren

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