I'm writing about cherry trees, in the middle of winter. Curious, I know. But as I look back on this past year, one of the things I'm most thankful for is the invitation to play with collage. This is the story of how that invitation came to be and what it means to me. The … Continue reading Enough: Invitations, Collage, and the Wisdom of Cherry Trees
On New Year's Eve, I said good-night to my 11-year-old, and the weight of a decade hit me in the chest. Where were we 10 years ago? In another life. Another city, a different house, we only had two kids, neither in school yet. Time and circumstances have reshaped the way we spend our time … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Live Yes? (On Marking Time and Living Forward)
Wonder is on my Christmas list this year. Why wonder? Faith starts with wonder according to Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In God in Search of Man, he writes: "The sense for the 'miracles which are daily with us,' the sense for the 'continual marvels,' is the source of prayer." In contrast, "The surest way to … Continue reading Cultivating Wonder
“Man only plays when he is in the fullest sense of the word a human being, and he is only fully a human being when he plays.” ~ Friedrich Schiller Do you ever have "I'm sailing!" moments? You know, like from the movie What About Bob? when Bill Murray is tied to the sail boat … Continue reading “I’m Painting! I’m Painting!” and Learning to Pray through Play
Some situations call for excellent analytical skills, but generally, employing these skills directed at the people around us isn't helpful. It separates us. I try to 'understand' them, but without putting myself in their shoes. What if there is another way of seeing those around us? The phrase "It is" has been repeating in my … Continue reading Embracing the invitation of “It is”
I've been contending with empty pages for a while now. Empty journal pages—pen poised in my hand for 30 minutes and the page still blank. Empty word documents—cursor blinking and not a word to type. Empty pages sometimes feel like failure. In a few days, I will be staring down another blank page. For the … Continue reading Welcoming Empty Pages and Spacious Places
Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone started their day by cultivating lovingkindness in their hearts? (I'm an idealist. I like to imagine these things. I like to think that anything is possible.) Maybe that's too big. I should start smaller. How would my day, my interactions, my heart change if … Continue reading Heart Exercises: Stretching your heart with lovingkindness
For some reason, I'm finding words to be scarce this summer. Although, sometimes you don't need many words. A few will do just fine. A Poem: It sounds cheesy and much too simple, but I honestly believe it is True. The Answer is Love. The way, the truth, the life: this is the Love that … Continue reading A Poem and a Practice: Adored.
“Creation itself is a sacred text through which the presence of God is revealed to us.” –Christine Valters Paintner Last weekend, I hiked with my family through a gorgeous piece of woods in a state park close to home. The trees were green with young leaves. Warm sunlight illuminated young ferns and a myriad of … Continue reading Walking with your Eyes and Heart Wide Open
"What is your question? Your question for today?" my wise friend asked me gently. "I can only choose one?" I asked nervously. Do questions swirl in your mind like dry leaves on a blustery day, thick and unsettling? Maybe your questions are more blizzard-like--a blinding morass keeping you from moving forward? Then maybe this question … Continue reading What is Your Question? The One You Need Today?
Jessica Sanborn 