I like to walk barefoot through the parsonage. Carpet, wood, laminate, tile—each surface speaking in its own quiet way. When my feet touch the floor, nothing stands between us. Skin meets surface. The body knows something the mind often forgets. In that small act I feel the connection to the ground beneath me. Not just … Continue reading Barefoot
The author reflects on how they cling tightly to their interpretations of sacred texts, cautioning against confirmation bias. They encourage letting go of preconceived notions and listening deeply for new meaning. Questions prompt readers to consider how their interpretations have evolved and how to remain open to new perspectives in sacred reading.
In the iconic sword duel from the movie “The Princess Bride,” Inigo Montoya battles a masked man, admiring his swordsmanship and acrobatics. When Inigo presses for the man’s identity, he’s met with the response, “Get used to disappointment.” This line has resonated with me deeply. Disappointment is essentially the failure of our hopes or expectations … Continue reading Get Used to Disappointment
Some mornings- like today!- I cannot get aligned or grounded in my morning practice. My mind is wandering everywhere even as I sit my meditation/centering prayer. I cannot “draw” or release myself back to the moment. I let go and let go and let go and let go. I may rationalize that this is building … Continue reading Returning to Thanks
The sun is passing directly over the equator today. The length of the day will be roughly equal in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the North we are passing out of summer into fall and winter. In the South, it is passing from winter to spring and summer. Nature gives me pause in its … Continue reading Autumnal Equinox.
There is something beautiful and pristine about the pre-dawn morning. I sit in the silence of this space, hearing sounds that are drown during louder parts of the day. My heartbeat is louder, more easily identified. The day is beginning and I feel unrushed which is a feeling unlike much of the rest of the … Continue reading Sunday Musings
How do you relax? Sabbath. Every Friday is a day set aside for personal rest. The key to keeping it relaxing is to keep myself from forming some list of items that must be accomplished on that day. Relax and release are closely related words for me. Most of the days of my week seem … Continue reading A Day Without Agenda
Are you holding a grudge? About? The word “grudge” immediately brings to my mind savoring the perceived wrongs, intentional and unintentional, that have been done against me. There is even a sour flavor I can almost taste when I remember some of the grudges that shaped periods of my life. And shape my life they … Continue reading Holding Tightly to Past Wrongs
I find it meaningful to begin my day in gratitude. So I have a gratitude practice. Gratitude Practice (summarized) Open my journal. Close my eyes and “breathe myself here.” Open my eyes and say, “I am thankful for…” Write name by name what arises from that statement. When I reach a “stopping point,” repeat out … Continue reading Joy of Being Thankful
What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life? I begin each day with meditation. If I do not begin my day that way, the experience of the day is altered, seeming less “real” and more reactive. This daily practice of “letting go” helps me live more awake and attentive to the … Continue reading Receive and Release
Infinitely Precious 