I don’t know about you, but my mind rushes to judgment at the tiniest provocation. My worst judgment erupts while I’m driving. It gets triggered by everyone who is jumping across lanes to get where they want, blocking me from changing lanes, driving too fast/too slow,...
fear
Peace in the Chaos
“Peace can be difficult to feel because of the chaos that surrounds us.” I wrote that line more than a year ago for my 2019 Mindful Advent series, but is really true now. Everything in this year feels like chaos — the disruption of a pandemic, the helplessness created...
Craving Connection
When I began planning my crazy Birthday Month of Connections event series, I seriously wondered if anyone would show up. It’s summer, and people want to be outside. People are tired of being on Zoom. “People wouldn’t be interested in hanging out for my birthday,”...
Leading with Feelings
I have a very good friend who I call when I’m having a lot of feelings. They tell me that they treasure these rambling voicemail messages that usually start sometime like, “I’m having two or three feelings at one time, and I’m not quite sure what to do …” So the fact...
What is my part to do? (Or Mindful Anti-Racism for White People)
***** Upcoming events! ***** The ideas in this blog are indebted to a number of people of color who have been writing, thinking, speaking and teaching about anti-racism much longer than I have. Here are a few links and resources that really influenced me this week:...
The Social Distancing Walking Club
Even before the coronavirus and the advent of social distancing, I took walks almost daily. As someone who lives in about 700-square feet and works in that same space, I knew the importance of getting outside and moving to help the blood and ideas flow during the work...
5 Practices for Calming Anxiety
Fear, anxiety and confusion may be taking an unhealthy grip on us. Already we were immersed in an anxious, divisive culture, and in walks the corona virus, threatening us, our loved ones and the most vulnerable among us. Yes, there’s lots to be anxious about. Here’s...
5 Reasons the Ocean Humbles You
Fear was the theme of last week’s blog. I was preparing to do a 1.2 mile ocean swim as part of a team completing the IronMan Superfrog triathlon. I reflected how the fear of sharks (and any number of other things) can stop me (and others) from even attempting things...
Anticipating Sharks
On Sunday, I will attempt a 1.2 mile swim in the Pacific Ocean as part of a Half Ironman Triathlon race. What makes me nervous, as I’ve been training, are the waves that will shove me like a rag doll away from the buoys located only 200-300 yards in front of me. I’ve...
Feel Into Fear: Sermon Miniseries
Fear is so pervasive in our lives and culture. Whether it is fear that prevents us from doing the next great thing in our lives to the fear that prevents us from standing up for what's right in the culture or politics. To find that brave center, you first have to move...
Our Daily Scare?
Recently I got one of those nifty, reusable bags from my favorite yoga clothes store, Lululemon. On one side of the bag, it has pictures of those highly athletic people who always smile while running a marathon or look totally Zen while doing an upside down, pretzeled...