Uphill idealist

Earlier this summer, I was gifted a copy of Simple Abundance , by  Sarah Ban Breathnach . As I've learned from reading this day book regularly  - if you happen to have a copy of it you cherish it! Day in and day out, Sarah writes about creativity - life - and all the everyday struggles each of us have. Somehow, every time I pick it up to read the book speaks to me. Sometimes I'd say it's a bit too close for comfort, but the fact that it connects so well, even on all things challenging, makes it well worth a read. A few days ago, I found a SECOND copy of the book at a discount store and picked it up for a friend that I think will enjoy as well. As I've been told, its very unusual to find an extra copy, as people protect and save this book to be read and re-read throughout their lives. Thank you to the person who passed on their copy - so I can pass it on to a friend that could also use the gift that is, Simple Abundance.

In the fall of 2010 I was introduced to TED talks.  I watched an eighteen minute talk by researcher and storyteller - Brene’ Brown. ( brenebrown.com ). If you haven't seen a TED talks they have become an international phenomenon,  where people from various and unlimited backgrounds share short talks that are:  “Ideas worth sharing”. (For more information on TED talks – look online here: www.TED.com ) Brene’ Brown captured my attention in her short talk when she talked about the difference between divided living in contrast with “whole-hearted” living. Through her extensive research, Brene’ discovered an essential ingredient to “whole-hearted” living – vulnerability . She claims that vulnerability is an important key to living out lives in the place of wholeheartedness.  The more I listened to her words, the louder my own heart pounded. The words I heard were making something deep inside me sit up and take notice.  Once my perspective on vul...

Image from Amazon.com. When my daughter was little, she loved the Richard Scarry book collection. Her favorite was the three story collection of Pig Will and Pig Won't. As you can guess, Pig Will was easy going and willing to help where help was needed and take care of things that needed to be done. Pig Won't - for the most part, wasn't interested in helping or doing much of anything. Scarry's books are filled with cautionary tales, but the endearing animal characters ironically humanize the conflict of each story. Years after reading these books, the lessons have stuck with me - as a parent and personally. While most of the time people fall in the middle of will and won't - the story of these brother pigs have reminded me how important my attitude and action (or inaction) are. Years ago, if my kids started out having a bad morning I'd say, "Hey, why don't you run upstairs, hop into bed, hop back out and start your day over again?" or when the...

Peregrinatio pro amore Dei is Latin for the phrase - "Pilgrimage for the love of God". I was recently introduced to this phrase in the paper pilgrimage of Unnoticed neighbors by Erina K. Ludwig. Unnoticed Neighbors Trailer from The House Studio on Vimeo . The love of God is something grander that I can ever comprehend; yet I feel the call to share it in more and more practical ways. As followers of Jesus we are at times called to speak God's love to others, but it's imperative to never forget the quieter call to be the hands and feet of grace in the slice of world we happen to live. This life of grace can involve our voices and ears, but it's purpose is not for ourselves - its for the benefit of others. It's not just speaking, listening, doing or being quietly present - but a combination of all of these means structured in the grace of God that we are called to as Jesus-followers. The pilgrimage may or may not take us to far away lands - but the call to lo...

For more information on Thomas a Kempis and the source of this image, go to Society of Saith Pius X in Canada. Last year I purchased a copy of Thomas a Kempis's "The Imitation of Christ" for my husband as a Christmas present. The reprint I have of this text was originally published in 1418. In the introduction, Steven James explains Thomas's writing and life to be a catalyst for reader to embrace, "...the "Jesus life" (as) one of faith rather than sight, simplicity rather than extravagance, moderation rather than indulgence, sacrifice rather than acquisition, and risking the ways of God rather than settling into the soul-numbing security of the ways of the world." I'm only three short chapters into this text and feel Thomas's words and ideas directly challenging my perspectives ,yet compassionately inspiring authenticity in growth in learning how to closer walk with Christ in daily life. There is a great deal to contemplate in this short...

I like to go new places and meet new people. In that way, I suppose I could be considered to have an episode of "Wanderlust" here and there. When I feel a need for a break from the status quo, one of the best ways for me to reflect and recharge is to go to a place where I can listen, talk ( of course) with folks of similar vocation, and wait upon God to tap my shoulder here and there as if to say; "Yup you are on the right track here and hey you should head this way soon." Sometimes I need to leave town for a bit to recharge, sometimes going on a walk or run does the trick, and sometimes I come across a book that speaks to my heart like like having coffee with a dear friend who knows who I am, and loves me anyway. Reluctant Pilgrim by Enuma Okoro a true-story-telling of quote " A Moody, Somewhat Self-Indulgent Introvert's Search of Spiritual Community." . For me, it was a break away for me to read and it allowed some things I've been wondering abo...

What is Enough? Enough , by Will Samson is a book that asks questions for those who seek contentment in an Age of excess. With all the privilege and possession I have in my life and world, how is it that at times I still feel I'm missing something? It's in reading his book that I find that I'm not the only one asking these kinds of questions. "We were living the model American Christian life. We had nice kids, great jobs, fun cars and still found time and a bit of money for the church. Why wasn't I happy?" (Samson, pg 23) As a result of Samson's honesty, I discovered a sense of freedom to ask my own questions concerning my search for contentment. In all the striving for possessions, what is being lost in the exchange? What is the human cost of consumption? To break it down further, how does unending consumption effect the heart, mind, body and soul of humanity? It was refreshing to hear Sampson's perspective in struggling to resolve the conflicts that...