Feeling Uncomfortable, Unwelcome, Unprepared? Good News: You’re Not Alone.
Once upon a Christmas, Pedro* and I set off for church. I'm spending the holiday with L'Arche in part to get a chance to see my husband (whose holiday schedule has him sharing time for up to 13 hours a day) and in part because the L'Arche members are a part of my family. I've spent my last five Christmases with them, so when my friend Pedro sets his heart on going to mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral, I open my heart and say yes to accompanying him there. We take a few wrong turns in the labyrinthine parking garage,...
Read More
How to Love Someone Who (For the Moment) Thinks That You’re The Devil
Since it's the holiday season, I think it's only right that I share a story about keeping love alive in a tense time. Because let's be honest -- if you're human, you're probably going to experience at least one moment of stress when it comes to spending time with your loved ones this year. Someone is going to do something or say something that will drive you a little crazy. (Or a lot.) When this happens, how will you respond? Will the difficult experience serve as a gift disguised as a dilemma, actually bringing you closer? Keep these questions in...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
What To Do When You Are Afraid (& Some Big News)
"Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don't open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument." - Rumi I woke up this Saturday morning feeling entirely out of sorts. I'd had a nightmare, I felt exhausted, and all I could think of were the million-and-one things on my to-do list for the month ahead. I didn't think about the sunshine and beautiful weather, or the Skype date I had scheduled with my best friends. Despite the excitement of this season of my life (*hints at the big news*), I just...
Read More
10 Life Lessons You Can Learn at L’Arche
As I was trying to decide which of my L'Arche friends to focus on for today's post, I realized: I didn't want to choose just one. Instead, I wanted to bring you the words of wisdom that each of them has shared with me over the years. And, while I don't want to give the impression that L'Arche is a field of daisies wherein the members spout words of wisdom at every turn...I have been blessed to learn from some very wise individuals. Some of the wisest people I know. Don't let the balloon hats fool you. So,...
Read More
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...
Read More
How To Deal With Difficult People (Yourself Included)
This weekend, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Thanks to a friends' invitation, we were able to spend our days at Stillwaters, a rural recording studio and bed and breakfast. The two days we spent at Stillwaters felt unhurried, rich and full. Though I usually spend weekends working online, I didn't touch a computer. Instead, I disconnected. I went without a cell phone, wrote in my journal, took walks and slept in. Likewise, Jonathan and I embraced the freedom of unscheduled time. We went exploring without a plan-- driving down country roads, stopping wherever we...
Read More
What To Do With Doubt & Discouragement
I don't know about you, but I'm in shock that it's September. Where did the summer go? The season is changing. School is starting, sweaters are on sale, and there are just a few months left of 2011. It's a time of transition, and it tends to make us question ourselves. Are we where we hoped we'd be? Are we doing enough for others, being enough? In August, my husband and I faced multiple stressors: overwork, fatigue, illness, death, mourning, (minor) injury and car breakdown among them. It was enough to leave me weary...and when I get tired, doubt and...
Read More
How Breakfast At Tiffany’s Teaches You To Become A Classic Writer ~ Guest Post At Men with Pens
Hello Readers, Today's a big day: I have guest post at Men with Pens! Men with Pens is a well-known team of web designers and writers, committed to "changing businesses (and lives!) through high-end websites that get results." I'm honored to be posting there, sharing what Breakfast At Tiffany's has taught me about great writing and great love. Today's Post: How Breakfast At Tiffany's Teaches You To Become A Classic Writer Readers from Men with Pens, Welcome to A Wish Come Clear! To receive your gift from me, I invite you to visit the ‘Subscribe’ field on your right to...
Read More
