A General Apology
I love this blog, and I continue to be amazed at the steadily increasing amount of traffic it receives. Sometimes I feel like I am the host of the most amazing party, where a variety of intelligent (and opinionated!) people, all of whom share my interest in and love for contemplative, emergent, and/or Celtic Christianity, as well as interfaith spirituality, gather together for shared conversation, insight, and the occasional debate. It’s truly one of the singular joys of my life.
However… (you knew there was a “but” in there, didn’t you?)
I’m beginning to find myself a bit unable to keep up, both with the comments posted on my blog as well as emails sent directly to me. I love the feedback I receive, whether public or private, and at least so far I am able to read everything that comes my way — but I’m finding that I simply cannot respond to it all. This morning I received an email from a person who was concerned that I wasn’t receiving her emails, because I hadn’t answered any. Sigh. The truth is, every day I get wonderful emails from folks with whom I would love to engage in conversation. If I responded to all of those wonderful messages, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have time to write any new posts for the blog!
So if you’ve posted a comment here, hoping to get my take on a particular topic, or if you’ve sent me an email with a particular question or insight, please accept my apologies if you do not hear back from me. Please do not take it personally. If time were of no consequence, I would love to engage in in-depth conversations with anyone and everyone who comes my way (I am, after all, an INFP, and we like in-depth, meaningful conversation). But alas, time is of consequence, and as I have a full-time day job, a family, Lay-Cistercian and teaching commitments, and am also beginning to put together my notes for my next book… it’s important for me to balance the desire for online interaction with the need to be a good steward of my finite resources (and time is, alas, finite).
I appreciate your understanding, and as I said, at least for now I am still able to read every comment or email that comes my way. And I’ll still respond to some, depending on how much time I have at the moment, whether I feel like I have anything to say, or whatever. So please keep your comments/feedback coming. As I’ve seen on several occasions recently (such as this conversation between Burl and Guido), even if I can’t respond to your comments directly, somebody else who is probably smarter than me anyway just might pick up the conversation. After all, that’s what makes this blog special. 
judith quinton
Rest, Carl, in the knowledge that you are loved.
And no expectations emanate from these quarters, at least.
Judith
brazenbird
Carl,
I’m willing to bet that people will continue to come here to read what you have to share because you are hitting a chord here that so many people are hearing and you are providing a place for us to come and see that we are not alone.
It’s so good to hear that your blog is growing exponentially in readership. Yay!!! And congratulations!
Rest easy brother, you’re doing a good thing.
Amy
Thanks, Carl, for the words. But I think most, if not all, can identify with your time restrictions. As a reader, I’d rather you spent time on your reflections and sharings than on replies. The responses are like a community Lectio, where many find some tibit to share, something that strikes them, or resonates. So much energy gererated through all of this! It’s why I keep coming back…less I miss out on something that “sends me”.
Nice to know you too are an INFP!
Ioannis
Carl, you hold yourself to very high standards. “Chill-ax,” friend.
Midway through Great Lent, high standards might seem like burdens. Those of us, like you, who keep the Fast from foods, indulgences, and the like do so in order to give more to the poor, pray, and focus on behaviors that promote inner silence. The Fast compels us to ask for mercy; we cannot reach the mark set for us without mercy. I take it, from what you have written today, that you have been faithful to the Fast.
Κύριε ἐλέησον, Χριστὲ ἐλέησον, Κύριε ἐλέησον.
Christ says to us: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” [Matt. 18: 12-14].
Jo
You are in big trouble now. I was not aware I could e-mail you personally LOL!!!
Gary Snead
You’re funny, Carl. A contemplative apologizing that he has to become less, that others will know more than you do about the impact of your presence. Those are goals or consequences of contemplation of the Divine, right? You are so tuned to yourself and we are in harmony (like Amy said, resonating) with you, it’s cool.
& ditto to everyone’s comments. I particularly liked being reminded by loannis of the fun I had studying New Testament Greek 30 years ago at LSTC.
Cindy
You are an inspiration and I think your rhythms make good sense. Take care of yourself and know that you’re well loved.