Magic 201: The Representative
People are remarkably visual creatures. We make a novel of assumptions about each other based on the way we appear, on the things we wear, on gender and ethnicity and every other visual cue. The accuracy of those assumptions does not really matter, either.
I’ve always found that to be a real pain in the ass. I’m lazy. I want to wear my men’s sweats and Timbs or tennis shoes. I want to put my hair up in a messy bun, put on deodorant, lotion up, put on sunscreen, and be done with getting ready. Keys, wallet in one of the pockets, out the door. Perfume if I’m feeling fancy. I’ve always felt like this should not prevent me from getting things done, nor should it be held against me. Shit’s comfortable.
My life has not rewarded dressing up so much as it’s rewarded the ability to haul ass as necessary. Say what you want about Timbs, but if they’re laced on, you can run pretty easily.
Of late, the morning routine has a lot more steps for me. The clothes are less comfortable, and comfortable is not a word I’d use for three or so inch heels. I can’t quite hit the same speeds in a set of heels, either.
One of the things we give up to be a priest or spiritual worker is as intimate as how we care for ourselves and what we wear. Much the same way a workplace might insist you wear a suit, the spirits insist you dress as if you represent something and someone important. Unfortunately, because this is a 24/7 job, that dress and self-care requirement does not have off hours. I spend more time looking longingly at those sweatpants than wearing them.
I am reminded, when I stare longingly at those sweats and my Timbs, that as a priest I am the crossroads at which people meet the spirit. I am where those who lack the capacity to see the spirit get to see the spirit. I am the mouthpiece of the spirits and people do be getting distracted easily by what they consider to be ordinary clothes. I am also the representative of my children, some of whom might get to skulk around in comfortable clothes with sometimes very lax personal hygiene, but need to see that there’s more. Hurt people tend to sabotage themselves and on occasion healing people means showing them what they could be, not just encouraging them to do better or quietly buying them soap.
The children without those particular wounds want to be proud of their mother.
There is not much in my life that the spirits have not touched and is not touched by my service to the spirits.
