For much of my life, my beauty was outwardly focused, concerned about the exterior, and the way I presented myself. Whether it be the latest fashion or an executive title at work. Not necessarily conscious of these behaviors, they were my path to my self-preservation of achievement and worth.
Continue reading “Looking Pretty”
Our world seems to revel in chaos and destruction; our culture is laden with desire for money, power, and clout. It can be easy to lose sight of what is important when we are living in the eye of a cultural storm. But Saint Benedict, his life and The Rule can serve as a compass to point us in the right direction.
Continue reading “Healthy Habits”
With the season of Lent almost upon us, how will you prepare? Lent is the desert season where we turn inward and allow ourselves to be purified. Will you ask for the Lord’s direction?
Continue reading “Prepared for the Journey “
Recently I read where a 116 year old Vincentian nun attributed her recipe for life “to prayer and a cup of hot cocoa”.
Continue reading “A Recipe For Life”
Is there anything standing in your way to living your best life? What about an irritating situation, a challenging person, an unwanted illness, or questions around your mortality. St. Oscar Romero says these situations can make a good examination of conscience as something that irritates me can actually be a call to my conversion.
Continue reading “Irritations Become Gifts”
Sometimes I forget to play. I get caught up in living life, my personal and spiritual growth, and work, and play tends to be last on my list.
Continue reading “Finding balance”
I lift my soul to you God, please fill it with joy. Teach me your way, so I may walk in your truth. I praise you with all my heart and call your name forever. Your mercy to me has been great, and you save me from the depths of hell. (Psalm 86)
Continue reading “Renewed In You”
The law of the lord is perfect. It revives the soul. (Psalm 19) Lately, I am understanding that I need healing in my relationship with authority. It makes sense as, during most of my formative years, power or authority was used in a negative way, and I rarely had the benefit of unconditional love to shape my identity. I’m seeing how this skewed way of thinking has played into my persona of the quiet rebel. The one pointing within playing out in destructive patterns around eating and drinking too much without boundaries at times.
Continue reading “Mystery Being Revealed “
The other day I was walking on campus, running late to a meeting. As I was rushing through a sea of people trying to get where they were going, I passed a gentleman who was looking at a map. I walked by and continued a few steps ahead, and then listened to my heart.
Continue reading “Where Kindness and Truth Meet”
Reflections for contemplative living
I can’t pinpoint the day or describe how it happened but the gift of my vocation was eventually revealed to me. I became painfully aware that I didn’t really know how to love and yet I was so strongly called to love. This is when I leaned in, got curious and dived deep into learning, listening, hearing, and finally understanding.
Continue reading “Forgotten Prayer “
Smitten With Goodness 