Category Archives: religion
Grace in a Box
I do not go to church often because I don’t seem to find God there. I find Him at the beach, I think we are kindred spirits. I also find him at Holy Cross Abbey during silent monsatic retreats. Some … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality
Tagged grace, Holy Cross Abbey, spirituality
13 Comments
On Peace and Forgiveness
This holiday season we greet strangers with softness and compassion, “Happy holidays!” we say. “May your holiday season be filled with love, happiness, and peace!” we bestow upon friends and family. Love, we know what loves is. We know how … Continue reading
Make a Joyful Noise
I believe God has a sense of humor. Sometimes I think He thinks He’s funny and I respectfully disagree. This happens when one too many things go wrong at once, or when I’m faced with one too many ironies. But … Continue reading
The Confessional of a Sinner
Here is my confession: Through my life, in the different iterations of me–the wilder one, the irresponsible one, the uptight one, the good girl one, the anxious one, the depressed one; in each of these phases of my life, I … Continue reading
Posted in Mindfulness, Relationships, religion, spirituality
Tagged authenticity, courage, religion, spirituality, vulnerability
11 Comments
God, Vivienne & Lightning Bugs
Oh, the difference a season makes. The last time I went on a silent monastic retreat, it was the winter of this year. A snow storm was heading in as I drove away from the quiet solitude at the end … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality
Tagged God, Holy Cross Abbey, silent monastic retreat
8 Comments
God Comes to You
Silence. Monks. Two words that don’t automatically come to mind when you think of me. Safe to say I’ve never been known to be religious, or quiet. At the end of my three-day silent monastic retreat, Father Vincent said to … Continue reading
Vigils and Lauds And Complines, Oh My!
I just spent three days with Trappist monks on a silent, self-guided monastic retreat. It’s taken about 15 years for the stars to align for me to finally experience one of these. I’m grateful it’s taken so long–I realized a … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality
Tagged Berryville Virginia, Holy Cross Abbey, silent retreat, Trappist monks
6 Comments
Members Only
We spend the Christmas holiday with my immediate family every year. I took the kids to Christmas Eve mass at my parents’ parish this year. En route, my son asked, “Are we members there?” I told him no, his grandparents … Continue reading
Posted in religion, spirituality
Tagged Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve Mass, equality, joy, love, peace, religion, spirituality
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Are You There God? It’s Me…
I went to church today. I know, normal people wouldn’t make that kind of proclamation, well, at all. Because it’s part of many people’s lives. I am, however, a wretched soul who has always been ambivalent about spirituality, faith, and … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality
Tagged God, mindfulness, religion, spiritual awakening
7 Comments
All We Need
“Faith, Family and Friends. That’s all you need in life. No wait, Love and Kindness too. That’s all you need in life,” declared my 7-year-old daughter. “What?!” I ask. We were out shopping for a frame to display her school … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, Parenting, religion, spirituality
Tagged all you need in life, faith, family, friends, kindness, love, priorities, values
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Thrive Fully Creative 