We live in a culture of fixing. Everything from cracked screens to broken hearts to complicated systems—we’re told there’s always a way to make it better, quicker, neater. And often, that desire to fix comes from a good place: love, care, even hope. But lately, I’ve been learning—and relearning—a difficult but freeing truth: not everything … Continue reading Letting Go of the Need to Fix
The ninth day of Christmas brought an unexpected gift: darkness. Not a new kind of darkness, but an old and familiar one, rediscovered. It manifested in the symbol of night, a theme poetically delivered to my inbox by one of my favorite poets, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer (wordwoman.com): “…and the night is a nestbig enough to … Continue reading The Ninth Day of Christmas: Embracing the Gift of Darkness
In my usual morning spot, I sit, gazing through the window at the neighboring tree. The bright yellows have faded to browns, leaving much empty space. The tree has shed its leaves, which served it faithfully through spring and summer. I ponder: Is it easy for trees to relinquish their leaves annually? This question lingers … Continue reading The Leaves through my Window
Like many, I have a few websites that I visit regularly and hold dear. Here are my top picks, shared a bit late for a recent daily writing prompt but with no less enthusiasm. The Center for Action and Contemplation (cac.org) Founded by Father Richard Rohr, a modern-day contemplative and Franciscan friar, this site has … Continue reading Exploring My Favorite Websites
“The early morning quiet, a time typically reserved for rest, often eludes me. Unlike most, my Sundays are not days of rest; they are days of work, leading and experiencing worship. I was reflecting on the why of this ‘sabbathing’ thing I practice weekly. A day to not do? Seems suspect to me and my … Continue reading Embracing Rest: Sabbath as Transformation
As I settled into my chair at the usual time this Friday morning, around 7:45 AM, I noticed the sun’s rays highlighting the yellowing leaves of the neighboring tree. With the intention to begin my morning meditation, I reached for my phone to set the timer. However, the sight of 57 unread emails on my … Continue reading Living a Life Amid Distractions
The journey of introspection and understanding oneself is an ever-evolving process. Just as Descartes proclaimed the importance of thinking in defining our existence, it's equally essential to recognize the limitations of this perspective. Our thoughts are mere fragments of our entire being, and to box ourselves solely within the parameters of our cognition is to … Continue reading We Are More Than Our Thoughts
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
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
Infinitely Precious 