I wrote here about my intentions for, and here about my results with, "my word" for 2015: Put yourself in the way of beauty. As 2015 came to a close, I reflected on the fact that my word had truly stuck with me and changed the way I lived. And so I asked myself, what's … Continue reading Create
Tag: beauty
A Beauty-Filled Year
Never big on resolutions, last year I kicked that concept to the curb and instead chose a word. Truly, a phrase: Put yourself in the way of beauty. As I explained here, the phrase came from Cheryl Strayed's book, Wild. She received the advice from her mother and lived into it as she trekked the … Continue reading A Beauty-Filled Year
Advent 2 – Finding Peace
Ironically, during a week in which I've intentionally focused on expecting peace, I've found distress more often. The same hour I learned about the mass shooting in San Bernardino, I also heard that a neighbor, husband of an acquaintance, was in a suicidal stand-off with police. He alternately pointed a pistol at his temple and his mouth and, after hours of … Continue reading Advent 2 – Finding Peace
Reading Crisis and Pursuit of Virtue
One of my healthier antidotes to life's Too Much-ness is burrowing inside the covers of a good book. Preferably while also tucked tight into my bed covers at day's end, hot cup of tea at hand, until I can't keep my eyes open. Just one more page, just one more, just one, just... In addition … Continue reading Reading Crisis and Pursuit of Virtue
“There are such nice people in this world…”
...says Tween, as the lady burying the Target conveyor belt with items notices our simple three items - a pack of lip balm and two shower scrubbies - and invites us to jump ahead of her in line. Of course he's right. There are such nice people in this world. This week we met fantastic doctors … Continue reading “There are such nice people in this world…”
Help. Thanks. Wow.
Anne Lamott, or as others call her, St. Anne, claims that the Essential Prayers sound this simple: Help. Thanks. Wow. I have prayed many, many words over many, many years, but I’m not sure I could come up with a prayer, petition, or praise that wouldn’t fit those three categories: help, thanks, wow. Other than … Continue reading Help. Thanks. Wow.
Moms’ and Kids’ End-of-Summer Camp Out
A queue of 40 email responses filled my inbox before I saw Email #1 inviting me to participate in an end-of-summer overnight camp out with moms and kids, and by then the sites had been booked. Besides, I expected (hoped!) to be just returning from a sixteen-day family camping trip, so the timing wouldn't work … Continue reading Moms’ and Kids’ End-of-Summer Camp Out
Slow Down
An ordinary afternoon dog-walk around the neighborhood turned gruesome. A car passed just as I noticed a squirrel hunkered in the middle of the lane. Car 1 slowed down, paused until two cars were directly opposite in the other lane, and then blared its horn. Horn terrified Squirrel who leaped sideways under the tire of Car 2, followed by … Continue reading Slow Down
Sari, Not Sorry
A couple months ago our church had a women's retreat. I'm a little funny about gender exclusive events and wasn't sure I'd go until I opened my mouth to invite others to join me. And then the organizer asked if I would model a sari in the fashion show. Why a fashion show? would be a great … Continue reading Sari, Not Sorry
Marvelous Monday
Not Moaning Monday, as I appreciate a fresh start. And no Meatless Monday recipe, either. The schools had Teacher In-Service Days so we took our kids and friends to San Francisco for the day - hooray for flexible jobs that allow such freedom! We started at the California Academy of Sciences, walked through Golden Gate Park to lunch at a … Continue reading Marvelous Monday