Even though I typically feel some sadness or melancholy around my birthday, that feeling caught me unprepared this morning. After all, it's a clear-blue-sky sunny day after a night of thunderstorms. Everything feels clearer, sharper. More alive. Except me. It's my birthday week. A reminder that I'm aging quickly, that life has gotten harder in … Continue reading Do you ever feel sad around your birthday? I do.
presence
So what do you DO on a silent retreat??
My sister asked me this the other night: "So what do you DO on a silent retreat?" It's a good question, one that worried me tremendously on my first silent retreat 14 years ago. On centering prayer retreats and spiritual direction retreats (like the one I went on last week at the Benedictine Sisters Retreat … Continue reading So what do you DO on a silent retreat??
Presence among presents
In this time of gift-giving, I'm suggesting an extra present for your loved ones. The gift of your presence. If we'll focus on being present these next few days - being fully where we are, fully with the people who are there - we'll be giving our loved ones an extra gift. We all can … Continue reading Presence among presents