Forget Christmas Presents – Let’s Talk About ‘A Gift Disguised as a Dilemma’
Note: there's a giveaway AND a special announcement at the close of this post -- so be sure to read to the end! *** Recently, I watched the documentary film, Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic as research for a feature piece I was writing for Autism After 16, wherein I interviewed director Todd Drezner. Within minutes, his film had me captivated. The documentary explores the nature of autism, asking the tough questions: what causes autism? Is there a 'cure'? How do we best support individuals with autism, and how can we learn more about their inner worlds? Drezner includes scientific research...
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Launch Day: Love’s Subversive Stance is Here!
It's the day you've been waiting for; Love's Subversive Stance is finally here! I'm proud to offer you this ebook, which contains 90+ pages of stories to help you go deeper with your most challenging relationships. If you want to say YES to standing on the subversive soil of love, pick up your copy today! Some early reviews: "The more I read of this book, the more I love it. It's really a beautiful collection of stories." -Allison McGinley, Be Not Afraid "Congratulations! I love the book...beautifully laid out." -Arvind Devalia, Make It Happen "...All I can say that it...
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How Far Would You Go To Forgive? Or, 7 Lessons Learned from 7 Days and 2,500 Miles of Thanksgiving Travel
If I may offer a single suggestion to you this holiday season, dear reader, it would be this: be wary of any road trip that promises to take longer than 24 hours one-way. With love, compassion and kindess for all, I say, simply, watch out. Take care. Such a trip is hard on your body, mind and spirit, even if you are traveling with (or toward) your best friends in the world. This warning goes double if there is a newborn or a two-year-old involved, or if you're harboring any hurt feelings whatsoever towards the people you are...
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Little Known Ways To Face Your Fears & Wow The Crowds…Maybe.
This is a story about a time when I fell flat on my face. Metaphorically, I mean. And I don't know about you, but that's a big fear of mine. Preparing and trying to do my best, and instead...completely blowing it. When L'Arche DC celebrated its 25th anniversary birthday, I volunteered to give a speech with Leo at the Saturday evening banquet. I was his accompanier, and L'Arche DC's 25th anniversary was more Leo's celebration than anyone's. As the community's founding member, it was a milestone for him. So Leo and I practiced in an interview format, as...
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How To Be Anxious & Stressed…& Then Not.
During my first week at L'Arche, I heard someone say, "Today was a thorough day." As it turns out, this is L'Arche-speak for God-awful stressful and 10+ hours and You don't want to know. This week was full of thorough days. I helped my friend William* get through a major surgery and transition back to L'Arche. He had surgery on Monday, and he came through it well. Along with the assistants, I spent hours each day in the hospital. By Thursday, he was ready to return home, and I blocked off the entire day to facilitate the process. ...
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On Being Present & Embracing Enough (Could it Change Your Life)?
At prayer-time at L'Arche this Thursday, we passed a candle around the table, as is our custom. The reflection question was posed to us was: "How are you feeling?" Such a simple, ordinary question. Yet in that moment, I saw how powerful that simple inquiry could be. To check in with myself, asking, "How am I really feeling? What is really true for me, inside?" To check in with others, asking, "How are you?" and really listening to the answer...these are acts of love. At L'Arche, we keep our meditations simple. That said, what arises from those simple...
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Sometimes You Get What You Need: On Moving, Family + Unexpected Grace
My husband Jonathan and I moved this weekend, and though it was a small move by most standards (we moved 0.1 miles uphill from a small studio apartment into an even smaller one), it was still a move. But there was this strange and beautiful moment amidst the chaos, one that made us laugh and made us think, and that's the moment I want to tell you about. That said, moving day did not start off well. There was a tiny misunderstanding involving a sofa that would not fit through a door. This may or may not have been my...
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What To Do When You Feel Like Giving Up
This past week, I vacationed with my husband's family at Lake Martin, Alabama. I had brave, active days: driving a WaveRunner, tubing and water-skiing. Yes, water-skiing. For my first day out, however, it would be more accurate to say, "I went out into the water, wearing skis, with every intention of water-skiing." I managed to get to a standing position maybe twice. Mostly, I fell down. As my failed attempts continued, I felt a connection between my attempt to ski and every task or relationship that I've been tempted to give up on. I thought of my brother,...
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Your Declaration Of Interdependence
Author's Note: There are several Declarations Of Interdependence as of this writing; declarations of religious, racial and environmental interdependence among them. But today, this one's for you. If you enjoy it, please pass it along. Thank you! *** In honor of the holiday…no, scratch that. Inspired by the holiday, in honor of one woman, I'm writing a declaration. You see, I worked with a Your Life, Supported! client this week. (I'll call her V.) A bit of background on V: she's the sole caregiver for her son, P, and has been for many years. How did this happen? Years ago,...
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On Launching An Ebook (And Reliving Dance Class)
I went for a run on Saturday night, to clear my head. On the whole, I'd spent a satisfying day... shipping a thank-you gift to my best friend and virtuoso (ebook + interior) designer Tammy drafting the chapter outline and first few pages of my next ebook (!) doing 2 hours, 22 minutes of line edits for "Your Creed Of Care" with Tammy, via Skype eating tacos with my husband. All this should have added up to a sense of accomplishment (except, perhaps, for the tacos.) "Your Creed Of Care" was (is) moving along right on schedule. It looks amazing,...
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