Lughnasadh is on Monday... and time has run away from me.

Lughnasadh is next Monday, apparently. 1 August, as it is every year. It's not like I don't know this, but for some reason, this turn of the wheel feels as though it sneaked up on me... where did the rest of the time go, where we're suddenly focused on the harvest, the year waning down to Samhain?

I wanted to have a full week of posts for Lughnasadh, but, while I'll have quite a few days with some great information, it won't be a for all seven days. I didn't plan it very well this Sabbat. Who knows why, really -- I could have made it a priority, but instead, I put other things first. Big things, sure, that will hopefully turn into bigger things as the weeks press on, but regardless, things other than Lughnasadh.

It seems almost the perfect Sabbat, though, to experience this kind of feeling, where time seems to slow and events suddenly appear around the corner when, even just a month ago, they seemed so far away. As the Sun gives way to darkness and another year comes to a close, I'm reminded of how short it's been since last Samhain, the last dark night of the year. And I realize... just as the year has flown by, so has life. Just another year stored away like grain, the summer harvested away to remind us that a new beginning, which feels like it'll take forever to get here when in the depths of winter, is actually a lot closer than we think.

Yesterday and today, as I realized that Lughnasadh is mere days away, I actually did a lot of reflecting on life, especially the parts coming to a close and the new starts I'm hoping to reap from them. I'm not entirely sure what the future will hold, but if the gains are any reflection of what was sown, I'm looking at a good harvest to hold me through. More on that as I discover. ;) But this is just one year... what am I to make a priority in the one that follows?

I want to make this coming year about my faith, about my personal Pagan path. I've made my family, friends, education, and career my main concerns for a good part of my life, and while I still want to keep them on top tier, I also realize that I need to put myself first on occasion, and what better way than to learn more about myself through faith and personal introspection. More than just thinking about it, I need to find a way to make it happen.

In fact, think about how quickly this year has gone by already. It's almost August 2011, people! I'm still writing "2010" on occasion, and we're only months from 2012! Whatever your dream, make it happen! Put aside your responsibilities -- some of which are valid, sure, but others of which are only excuses, ones that are holding you back from living your personal dream every day of this incredibly short life of yours -- and bring yourself and loved ones on a journey you'll never forget. After all, you're the only one who can chase these dreams.

A fire has been lit under my ass recently, one with embers bright white and with flames that reach out to every corner of the world. I hope one of these flames reaches you, and that it sets your own passions ablaze with power and a need to pursue your dreams. One day, your own fire will be nothing but ashes; do you want your efforts to keep it alight remembered as futilely rubbing two sticks together, or do you want each bit of kindle thrown to it make it seen by the gods themselves?

What are your dreams, your passions, your goals? How do you want to see your future? And most importantly... what are you doing to make it happen?