Siv & the City

Hi there, I’m Siv (“see-v”). Thanks for stopping by my blog, Miracles in the Mundane. How about a Friday introduction? 1. It’s been sixteen years this month since we moved from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area. I still can’t believe I’ve lived in this home longer than anywhere else (still longer in … Continue reading Siv & the City

Beautiful Compost

Even the compost pile can be beautiful. Last month I submitted two articles to two different publications within six days. Both took a lot out of me and involved revisiting pain (more than a few tears shed) to excavate joy. Important, deep, meaningful work. Energizing and exhausting work. Last week I heard that one of … Continue reading Beautiful Compost

The Benefits of Paying Attention

I am over-the-moon that (in)courage has shared my article today. It begins: Last summer our family (my husband, teenage son, and I) took a month-long road trip through the United States as part of Dave’s pastoral sabbatical. We made a loop from our home in Northern California through the Southwest to Kentucky and back through … Continue reading The Benefits of Paying Attention

Be…

Kind. Gracious. Loving. Yourself. Unique. Quirky. Good. Creative. An individual. A lover of the light. Strong. Humble. A world-changer. An encourager. Still. At peace. A peacemaker. Silly. Happy. Hopeful. Gentle. Joyful. Respectful. Helpful. Hospitable. A good neighbor.  When I was a little one growing up in Southern California, I wanted to grow up to be … Continue reading Be…

One Chance at This Life

I've had a summer cold this week: congestion, brain fog, fatigue. Which has meant less exercise, less productivity, more staring aimlessly out of windows. Yesterday a project that should have taken about an hour took four hours instead. To say I've slowed down is an understatement. Enter this quote reminding me to pay attention. To … Continue reading One Chance at This Life

Reading: April-June 2022

During these busy few months, I've read fifteen books, a fact that simultaneously surprises me and doesn't surprise me at all. It should be surprising that I've been able to carve out significant time to read, and yet, reading is my still spot on the horizon when the world does loop-de-loops. Reading entertains me, educates … Continue reading Reading: April-June 2022

Create a Safety Wall

On our recent trip to Kauai, we went snorkeling twice. We asked around for recommendations and chose two locations: Anini Beach and Lydgate Beach Park. We started near Anini, though I don’t think we found the recommended spot. The guys eagerly swam away. It’s been a long time since I’ve snorkeled, so I moved slower, … Continue reading Create a Safety Wall

The Welcoming Prayer

As New Year’s Day 2020 dawned, many expected a year of clear vision. We could clearly see our priorities and accordingly set attainable goals, perhaps in an ambitious list of 20, like walking 20 minutes a day. And then the world toppled sideways. Our intentions for how we’d conduct “normal” life fell out the window … Continue reading The Welcoming Prayer

Writing as a Spiritual Practice

I will be leading a 4-week workshop on Writing as a Spiritual Practice (via Zoom). If you can tell a story to your neighbor when you meet at the mailbox, you can write. And if you’re a person of faith, you can use writing as one more tool in the toolbox to deepen your relationship … Continue reading Writing as a Spiritual Practice