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“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,” writes the poet Mary Oliver, “don’t hesitate. Give in to it.”

Gratitude By Melody Beattie Say thank you until you mean it. Thank God, life, and the universe for everyone and everything sent your way. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal intoContinue reading ““If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,” writes the poet Mary Oliver, “don’t hesitate. Give in to it.””

Faith is being so sure of what the Spirit has whispered in your heart that your belief in its eventuality is unshakeable. -John Lewis

This week I share an excellent reflective article on gratitude and generosity. I find it especially relevant as we head into Thanksgiving soon. Blessings on your week ahead! Gratitude Leads to Generosity By Vinita Hampton Wright When we develop an outlook of gratitude, we train ourselves to perceive the world in terms of abundance rather thanContinue reading “Faith is being so sure of what the Spirit has whispered in your heart that your belief in its eventuality is unshakeable. -John Lewis”

If we truly believe that God surrounds us, we believe that prayer is an everyday experience of being alive…. When you step outside and engage with the world in quiet listening, prayer will happen, and it will take on its own way of being for you.—Kaitlin Curtice

Last night I drove my kids to San Jose to see my hometown Philadelphia Flyers play against the Sharks. I was raised as a big ice hockey fan, and I am proud to pass along that enthusiasm to my children. Although the Flyers lost, we enjoyed this annual ritual yet again. Simply sitting still togetherContinue reading “If we truly believe that God surrounds us, we believe that prayer is an everyday experience of being alive…. When you step outside and engage with the world in quiet listening, prayer will happen, and it will take on its own way of being for you.—Kaitlin Curtice”

Life has a way of tenderizing you. -David Brooks

This morning on my early walk I encountered a fellow walker, who described how his activity first thing each morning alleviates some of the pain caused by his Parkinson’s disease. I listened with admiration as I marveled at his perspective. He expressed deep gratitude for the gift of his daily walk, and for me thatContinue reading “Life has a way of tenderizing you. -David Brooks”

Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing. -St. Katharine Drexel

Today I enjoyed reading this interview here with Sr. Stephanie Henry. I am learning more about her religious order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Below is an impressive excerpt from her comments: “We are called to open our hearts to God and to other people. God is inviting us to joy. Responding to GodContinue reading “Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing. -St. Katharine Drexel”

It takes time and intention to recongize the generosity of God in everyday signs of wonder and beauty. -Kathy Hendricks

I appreciate this time each year when life (finally) feels like we’re settling into a groove…at home we have had just enough weeks of consistent afterschool sports practices, combined with enough time with our kids getting to know new teachers…to feel like we (sort of) have things together. Yesterday my daughter marveled at the teamworkContinue reading “It takes time and intention to recongize the generosity of God in everyday signs of wonder and beauty. -Kathy Hendricks”

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -Francis of Assisi

This past weekend our family attended the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. This free annual event is a San Francisco treasure. I am pleased to share a performance by artist Leyla McCalla, who we were introduced to on Saturday. I also share some prayer resources that have come my way recently. BlessingsContinue reading “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -Francis of Assisi”

Genius is in the idea. Impact comes from action. -Simon Sinek

Last week I was privileged to enjoy time in the New Orleans area with our school leaders. Learning and growing alongside them is one of the best parts of my job. Speaking of learning, last night I played my guitar for the first time in a while and I learned a new chord configuration…thirty yearsContinue reading “Genius is in the idea. Impact comes from action. -Simon Sinek”

On The Fine Art of Weeding- Christine Rodgers

The further in you go the more you prune away the thicker it grows back. Such diligence required to keep a path cleared for God. Today’s Gospel reading from Luke speaks for itself. Jesus provides such a meaningful framework for life and relationships in this teaching. Blessings on your week ahead! The Beatitudes 20 And he liftedContinue reading “On The Fine Art of Weeding- Christine Rodgers”

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. -Anne Lamott

This past weekend my family and I escaped to the beach with three other families, as part of a Labor Day tradition where we’ve had the blessing to witness each of our ten total children grow in their relationships with one another, and in their appreciation for the beautiful setting of Cailfornia’s Central Coast. ThereContinue reading “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. -Anne Lamott”