Overcoming Passive Barriers: Impossibility Vs Possibility
First, a big thank you to readers ~ A Wish Come Clear has a Facebook page & username, thanks to your support! *** I'm a big fan of breaking down barriers. Passive barriers, to be precise. I'd never heard of them until recently. For a brief introduction, I quote from Ramit Sethi, who defines passive barriers like this in his guest post on Get Rich Slowly: "Passive barriers are things that don’t exist, so they make your job harder. A trivial example is not having a stapler at your desk; imagine how many times a day that gets frustrating. For...
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The Art Of Giving And Receiving: How You Can Come Full Circle
Today is a big day for me: I'm set to have a digital strategy session with Ash Ambirge of The Middle Finger Project. This is my first big investment of time and formal 'coaching', and I'm very excited. A wish come clear is nearly 2 months old, and it's time. The decision to do consulting took me at least a week to think over. First, it meant spending money (I tend to be frugal.) Second, it signified an intent, a commitment to make this site all it can be. Third, it meant asking for help. Can you guess which one...
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Uncomplicate, Or, Don’t Bake The Bread (Saving Your Sanity, Part 3)
This post is the 3rd in a 4-part series on “Saving your sanity.” The final post (Part 4) will focus on streamlining daily routines. My posting schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday; subscribe for free via email (via the box at the top right of this page) to get new posts straight to your inbox! *** A few months into my first 'tour of duty' at L'Arche DC, I shared the story of cooking my first L'Arche supper with a new assistant, Allison. I told her how intimidated I was by the idea of cooking for 17 people - the entire...
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What It Takes To Be A Clutterbusting Champ (Saving Your Sanity, Part 2)
This post is the 2nd in a 4-part series on “Saving your sanity.” Subsequent posts will focus on streamlining daily routines and simplifying. (Part 3 will run on Monday.) My posting schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday; subscribe via email (via the box at the top right of this page) to get new posts straight to your inbox! Finally, I'm happy to share that A wish come clear was a featured link on this weeks' 'Simple Living News Update' on RowdyKittens. In case you've not visited Tammy Strobel's fantastic site, here's your chance! *** Have you ever found yourself watching a...
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The Art Of Gracefully Declining (Saving Your Sanity, Part 1)
Hello and good morning, all! This post marks the start of a 4-part series on "Saving your sanity." The next three posts will focus on clutter-busting, streamlining daily routines and simplifying. Part 2 will run this Friday. My current posting schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday; subscribe via email to get new posts straight to your inbox! *** Everything I learned about gracefully declining (that is, saying no), I learned from Alan*. Alan lives at L'Arche, and he has a fantastic sense of humor, an engaging mind, and intellectual disabilities. He is my friend and my teacher. As such, I'll never...
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5 Simplicity DIYs (You’ve Been Too Scared To Try)- Guest Post At Bemorewithless.com
Good morning, all! Today I'm excited to have a guest post -- "Simplicity DIYs (you've been to scared to try)"-- at Courtney Carver's lovely site, Be More with Less: life on purpose. Thank you, Courtney, for this opportunity! I happily redirect you there to read and get the goodness: 5 simplicity DIYs (you've been too scared to try) I'll note that simplicity isn't a usual 'focus topic' on A wish come clear. However, I believe it goes hand in hand with what I'm writing about here, and I'll likely post more on this topic in the future. Our relationship to...
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“The Opportunity Of Adversity” And How Language Shapes Thought
I'd like to share something that moved me this week, as it connects perfectly with what this site is all about. It's Aimee Mullins' TED talk on, "The opportunity of adversity." I've watched it twice, and her strength just shines through. She knows who she is, and she is beautiful. Aimee Mullins was born without shinbones. Rather than seeing this as something to be 'overcome', the adult Aimee sees her disability as something that shaped her character and gave her strength. She also talks about how one person's affirmation of her strength made a significant impact on her self-perception as...
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The Gift Of Doing Things Differently: Are You Ready To Receive?
Last night, in the midst of celebrating her 8-year anniversary with L'Arche, Cassandra* was asked, “What are the gifts you have discovered about yourself since coming to L’Arche?” With a slight smile, she replied, “The gift of doing things differently.” Needless to say, I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The gift of doing things differently. Not the burden or the curse, but the gift. Having lived with Cassandra for 2 years (and known her for nearly 4 years), I can tell you a few of the things that she does ‘differently’ from the rest of the world. Each day,...
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Redefining Courage
Last night, I listened to an exceptional talk by Brene Brown, Ph.D., on wholeheartedness and vulnerability. You can find it here. It reminded me of a prayer-time at L’Arche in which Cassandra* showed great transparency. I write about it here: “When Cassandra’s asked the question, “What hurts do you carry? What hurts does L’Arche help to heal?” she replies, after a long pause: “Well. When people I love die. And. Not being able to do things right.” She looks straight back at me. My throat closes with gratitude that this woman has put into words the two great wounds that...
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A Very Clear Idea (Loving My Brother, Part 1)
Hello everyone, First, thank you—I’ve been overjoyed by the response to ‘A Wish Come Clear’ so far. Next, I’d like to share good news with you—a post I wrote about minimalism and life at L’Arche is going to be featured in Francine Jay’s Miss Minimalist! The post won’t run until April 4 (I’ll post a link at that time.) Meanwhile, check out her site and look forward to reading about how minimalism and L’Arche meet and marry 🙂 I’m looking forward to crafting a contribution to Amy Julia Becker’s blog Thin Places as well (in the guest column, 'Perfectly Human'),...
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