Just busy livin’ a good life

by | Jan 14, 2011 | Uncategorized

It’s not Thursday, but here are thirteen random things none-the-less…

  1. In case you haven’t seen it on Facebook or Twitter, I now have short and sassy red hair. Just reflecting my new attitude! Smile. (Maybe I’ll add “sassy” to my word for the year. What do you think? It goes well with “joy”!)
  2. I’m writing a book! Really truly! It’s happening and the words are flowing and I’m having so much fun. Chapter three is beginning to emerge this afternoon. (It may mean, however, that you won’t see a lot of profound writing around this little ol’ blog for awhile. Bear with me.)
  3. I’m also working on a little collaborative e-book that’s shaping up to be a lovely piece of work and I can’t wait to share it with you. In a few weeks.
  4. AND I’m working as a story coach for two people writing their own books, and I’m loving that too. It’s a line of work I didn’t think I’d get into, but I’m enjoying it so much I’d be happy to take on new clients. Know of anyone who could use my wisdom? Send them here for more info.
  5. Martyn Joseph is singing one of my favourite tunes to me right now and I am in love. “In the veil of circumstance, waiting for grace.” Mmmm… lovely.
  6. I ran today, even though I was so tired I wanted to crawl back into bed. More than 4 miles – the furthest ever! Do you think I can make it to 13 miles by June for the half-marathon?
  7. I started taking a new art class. Acrylics this time. At Forum Art Institute. I am LOVIN’ the vibe at that place. Don’t know why I didn’t go there sooner.
  8. Speaking of classes, it looks like I’ll be taking on more of them at the university. Classes that actually sound even MORE enjoyable than the one I’m teaching, if that’s possible. It seems my students raved enough about me to the administration that they want me back for more. Grin.
  9. On the flip side, for the second time since I started this self-employment thing, it looks like a government contract is being put on indefinite hold. Do you think perhaps I’m not meant to go back to government work? (This one may still pan out – just not right away.)
  10. Now Bruce Cockburn is singing “come all you stumblers who believe love rules, stand up and let it shine” and I’m lovin’ that too.
  11. I am becoming rather addicted to kalamata olives.
  12. An hour from now, I get to hang out with a good friend over chai lattes. A happy thing to do on a Friday afternoon.
  13. Olives, writing, teaching, coaching, running, red sassy hair, good music, good friends… it all adds up to a pretty contented version of me.

Long and rugged road

by | Jan 12, 2011 | Uncategorized

Listening to the Wailin’ Jennys this morning…

It’s a long and rugged road
and we don’t now where it’s headed
But we know it’s going to get us where we’re going
And when we find what we’re looking for
we’ll drop these bags and search no more
‘Cuz it’s going to feel like heaven when we’re home
It’s going to feel like heaven when we’re home

(lyrics by Ruth Moody)

Writing, thinking… and thinking about writing

by | Jan 8, 2011 | Uncategorized

For over a year now, I have been telling myself (and others) that I’m writing another book. (I say “another” because I once wrote a novel that never got published despite repeated efforts and a few close calls.) I’ve been telling myself that, but I haven’t really been writing it.

My heart has been all over the place with what this book should be. Should it be a memoir? A spiritual guidebook? A leadership book? A creativity book? A collection of personal essays? And if it’s a memoir, should it just focus on one part of my life, or a more general “story of my journey” kind of book?

There’ve been lots of rough outlines drawn, a few false starts, lots of inspirational moments… and yet, somehow nothing really stuck. Try as I might, I just couldn’t find the illusive thread that would tie the pieces of my book together.

When I quit my job in the Fall, one of the things I knew I had to do was write a book. It’s just been a deep longing for so long that I know I have to do it, whether or not it ever hits anyone’s bookshelf but my own.

Over the holidays, I wrote a guest post for Magpie Girl (Rachelle Mee-Chapman) about “the place where worldcare and soulcare meet”. As I explored a very personal story of a time in my life when worldcare and soulcare collided and taught me a valuable lesson, a little voice told me “This is it. This is the thread for the book. Now start weaving.”

And so that is what I’ll do – start weaving. And one day I will share with you whatever tapestry emerges.

Now go on over there and read the post, and then cheer me on as I try to give birth to this new baby.

And then one day, when I’m on the bestseller list (ha!), you’ll be able to say “I was there at the beginning!”

A blessing for the New Year

by | Jan 1, 2011 | Blessing, Uncategorized

On the day when
The weight deadens
On your shoulders
And you stumble,
May the clay dance
To balance you.
And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The gray window
And the ghost of loss
Gets into you,
May a flock of colors,
Indigo, red, green
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
In the curragh of thought
And a stain of ocean
Blackens beneath you,
May there come across the waters
A path of yellow moonlight
To bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
Wind work these words
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.
– John O’Donohue

How to be a Sophia Leader

by | Dec 10, 2010 | Uncategorized

Fly boldly in the direction of your calling,

Even though it may feel more comfortable and easy to stay where you are.

Give your heart to this world,

Even though you risk having it returned to you broken.

Challenge people, inspire them, and lead them to transformation,

Even though sometimes you will fail and they will give up.

Lean deeply into Sophia’s chest and trust the wisdom that comes,

Even though resistance and doubt will try to trip you up.

Spread compassion to the broken-hearted,

Even though you alone can’t heal them and often they will remain broken.

Love lavishly and deeply,

Even though you won’t always be loved in return.

Run and dance down the path that is yours and yours alone,

Even though you’ll trip sometimes and get lost in the underbrush.

Speak loudly and clearly from the voice the Spirit breathes in you,

Even though listeners may feel uncomfortable with your truth and fear will try to silence you.

Be a joy-seeker, traveling to the ends of the earth to find it,

Even though tears will always insist on joining you on the journey.

Lose yourself occasionally in laughter and whimsy,

Even though you won’t always be taken seriously.

Be a witness for the world, pointing people toward truth & beauty,

Even though you may be taken for a fool.

See the world deeply and clearly, and be always mindful of what you see,

Even though sometimes what you see will cut you to the core.

Trust people and seek the best in them,

Even though sometimes they will fail and disappoint you.

Seek truth, seek justice, seek beauty, and seek love,

Even though some days all you will find is ugliness and hate.

Go now, boldly, and be a Sophia Leader.

The world is waiting.

How to be a Woman

by | Nov 29, 2010 | Uncategorized

Some of you will remember this from my old blog. Today I just felt the need to give it a home here – as a gentle reminder.

If you need reminders, like I do, feel free to print it, hang it in a special place, or share it with friends. To download a free pdf, click here: How to be a woman

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