We begin, like my newest friend, Fiona, loved for exactly who we are.At two months old, nothing is expected from Fiona except for her to be as she is. She is not asked to “do others,” “try harder,” or “be better.” The rest of us, old enough to read, live with shame. — Shame […]
Is it Kosher? *** Two quotes from author Robert Brault:“Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.”and“Life becomes easier when you learn to accept the apology you never got.” *** We are
02 — An apology An overdue apology from organized religion. We lied. Those of us who work in organized religion lied to you. We also might have shamed you. Some members of the clergy might have even physically abused you. That these things happened is unconscionable. Unconscionable. We lied. We shamed. We abused. We hurt
— It opens up a bit of compassion to think of the people who are the hardest to like as needing the most love. — Love is unconditional positive regard. Its attributes are recognition, acceptance, understanding, and response. — Certainty means you are certain. Not that you are right.
Hello, beloved. Perhaps “Hello, beloved” is a lot to begin with. I considered, “Hello, friend” instead. But, “Hello, friend” falls short of “hello, beloved” in a crucial way: the love part. And, why bury the lead? I want to make certain you get the message of this book. You are beloved. —
“Something isn’t right,” I think as I type in BUR, the first three letters of my destination. The voice in my head ramps up: “They won’t have your reservation, just watch. Something is wrong. You can feel it in your gut, just now. You know I’m right. Something is wrong.” I select Burbank from
I thank you, Nicole. Read More »
I am biking towards Annie’s school. She forgot her ring binder at home. I remember being in middle school, frustrating my parents with my not-yet-adult frontal cortex and executive function. I forgot things all the time. As I bike past the construction site where the school ball-field is getting a redone, I realize, “I forgot a mask!”I can’t
I’m in College Station.Texas A&M country. For a wedding. It’s home of Kyle Field, the college’s stadium (capacity 110K), “Home of the 12th man.” The inherent sexism in that phrase doesn’t register with anyone I speak to here. — I ask the pastor, with whom I’ve just officiated, if the reading he did from Ephesians,
MADE BELIEVE. Fabricated stories of Bat Boy do not make him real. And, the devil is no more real than Bat Boy. Jack Lewis and his brand of Christianity created the idea of the devil you have in your head. I want to wash that devil right out of your hair. — JESUS, C.S.
I indulge the dogs’ desire to sniff a dormant blueberry plant, as I’m trying to slow my pace. I want to be near Siddhar and Marilee’s stoop when they get there. Siddhar walks determinedly with the assistance of two walking sticks. The thin, yellow headband holds down his long, frizzed gray hair. A horizontal orange
Connecting Nonetheless Read More »