At times, when faced with life's turbulence, the self I've constructed to protect my ego implodes. I gasp for air, trying to find my bearings. This contraction is a recurring phase in the rhythm of my existence. A particular vulnerability in my introspection gets triggered, and instead of expanding, I contract. My inner critic never … Continue reading Embracing the Ebb
Tasks constantly weigh on my mind, urging immediate attention. However, I'm realizing that my often-neglected lists shouldn't consume my thoughts on the Sabbath. Yet, their persistent calls beckon even as I pen this blog post. "Attend to me! Attend to me…" they seem to chant, even as I find solace in my chair. I take … Continue reading Beyond the List: Finding Peace on A Friday
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive? I wonder if we have lost a sense of the need to rest. In a world that touts productivity as our ultimate goal, there seems little room to slow down. I wonder if we have begun to imagine living IS doing?! I fear we have demonized … Continue reading Rest Is Life-Giving
When you think of the word "successful," who's the first person that comes to mind and why? The measure of a successful life is meaning. There may be other, more popular ways of “measuring” success; after all, “successful” is a subjective accolade. My standard rests on person’s sensed and shared meaning. Using this criteria, I … Continue reading A Meaning-full Life
What makes a good neighbor? The English word “neighbor” has its origins in Old English meaning near-dweller. It was proximity that defined the neighbor. My first thoughts go to folks adjacent to me. After that initial thought, however, I realize there are bigger implications to the word. The world is getting smaller What defines distance … Continue reading More than Proximity
What could you try for the first time? There is a fascination in this life with “new things.” What could I try for the first time? The answers are wide ranging as there are many things I have not tried. I find myself wondering aloud- here in writing- what my next new thing could be? … Continue reading Everything Old Is New Again
periodically I come across quotes I find particularly moving. Today was such a day and here it is. Enjoy! Every single creature is full of God and is a book about God. Every creature is a word of God. If I spend enough time with the tiniest creature, even a caterpillar, I would never have … Continue reading The Gift in All Creatures
What principles define how you live? Living intentionally invites me to be clear about my values. Those values as they are shape my life; these values determine my choices and daily interactions. I regularly state my values usually writing them in my journal to see how they “sit” with me; then I examine my life … Continue reading An Examined Life
What have you been putting off doing? Why? My traditional pattern for living has been to put off everything until the last minute. That way, there is a reason when it is not perfect. The longer and harder I work on a project and the more invested in the outcome I am, the more I … Continue reading Recovering Perfectionist
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)? What is a grown-up anyway? There have been a number of moments in life when I imagined I was finally grown up. I was certain when I hit some self-created marker that this was adulthood. For an instant in my mind, … Continue reading The Growing-Up Project
Infinitely Precious 