Spirituality
Suicide. Cruelty. Kindness…. and a possible movement.
It’s been a painful week, hasn’t it? Wow. Kate Spade. Anthony Bourdain. A general glut of cruelty and lack of kindness. I told myself I wouldn’t write another piece about suicide, but then I made the mistake of looking on social media, and what I saw upset me so, well, I can’t help myself. I begin…
Read MoreWhen we are here… here…look!
As some of you know, I popped off social media a few days ago. I’m a bit conflicted, I admit, and probably in the thrall of withdrawal, if you will. I miss people — and I hope they will find me and reach out. But I’m also much more at peace. I do not need another…
Read More2017 Year End Gratitude
People I trust have told me that practicing gratitude leads to feeling gratitude. Sure, I think, but some years (or days) make it easier than others to find the silver lining. 2017 has been brutal… still…. still… A story: Some years ago a young man had come to an impasse. He realized he had…
Read MoreFrom Darkness to Light
The ancient Celts believed the new day began at sunset, as do modern pagans, Jews, and some Christians. Similarly, the ancients celebrated the new year on Samhain, October 31. I love this idea. I love the idea that there is a period of dark gestation prior to the actual birth. The ancient new year celebration…
Read MoreA Return to the Beginning
T.S. Eliot’s Little Gidding. These lines: We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. Circles. Wheels. In Indigenous spirituality, in Pagan spirituality worldwide, as well as in mystical forms of all major religions, this form has…
Read MoreWisdom for a Hunger Moon
Here in North America, Indigenous people tell us the name for the full moon in February is the Snow Moon, or the Hunger moon. Yesterday we had what New Jersey folk call a snow storm, and while it was a bit blustery, for this Canadian, 4 inches of snow is hardly a storm. Still, it…
Read MoreTrump, Death, Resurrection and Safety (Pins)
As dear friend of mine — a Catholic nun I will not name to protect her anonymity — said to me: last night’s election feels like death; but I believe in resurrection. I do, as well. But sometimes the holy one needs a hand up out of the tomb. So, let me share with you…
Read MoreA Feather for Orlando
This morning, while at prayer in my garden, I found a feather. It’s tiny, surely from either one of the breast feathers of a bird, or perhaps from one of the babies starting to appear. It’s a bluish grey and white. Fragile as a dandelion wisp. I have a long history with feathers turning up…
Read MoreSister Rita's Thanksgiving
My dear friend, Sister Rita, SSJ, and I are writing a book together, and will tell you more about it as we go along. For now, let me just say I couldn’t be more excited about it, as the wisdom I’ve received from her over the years has been, and continues to be, invaluable. She…
Read MoreHomecoming
This morning I woke up and, after taking the dog out to do his business before the rain started, made up my bed, smoothing the linen cover, plumping the pillows, setting the lavender sachet among the pillows just so. Then I went downstairs and made coffee, and while the water boiled I looked out the…
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