“We are careening towards oneness.” Recently I heard theologian Cynthia Bourgeault use these words to describe the state of our world. I immediately resonated with the sense of careening. Police are attacking peaceful protesters. Routine traffic stops end in fatalities. Hurricanes devastate coastal communities. Political discourse has lost much of Read more…
For the past few weeks my heart has been powerfully stirred by the indigenous-led effort to protect the water, our shared water, from the Dakota Access Pipeline. The people at Standing Rock who are blocking the construction of an oil pipeline under the Cannonball River (before crossing many other rivers) Read more…
This past weekend I participated in the Minnehaha Creek Water Walk, a prayer walk that traveled the 22 miles from Lake Minnetonka to the Mississippi River. Sharon Day, an Ojibwe elder, led this ceremony. Before you think about being impressed by my long distance walking skills, I should tell you Read more…
My heart is still full from singing practice at Hidden Falls Park, with the gorgeous Mississippi River and bald eagles calling out in what felt like a response to our song. It was special because my life also requires that I spend a lot of time at my desk and Read more…
Oh, the allure of checking Facebook (or email or your phone)! I catch myself hoping I’ll discover something really wonderful. Something that will make me laugh or sigh with beauty. Maybe some photos of my far-flung friends and family. I log in, expectant, ready for Facebook to make things right. Read more…
Here comes the holiday season! With all the extra cooking, shopping, parties, and darkness I often find myself worn thin. The time around Winter Solstice is in fact a “thin time” in that the material and spiritual worlds are very close. It is a time to prepare ourselves for new Read more…
Some days just throw you around, as if they were somehow set on “agitate.” I don’t live inside a washing machine, but it can feel that way. Life is complicated and then the unexpected throws us for a loop: illnesses, computer crashes, theft, car accidents, injustice or simply the burnt Read more…
Nearly six years ago I drove home from the hospital with our newborn daughter. She was (and is) a precious passenger and it felt like a jarring risk to drive this tender bundle along the highways on that sub-zero day. I still glance into the backseat, feeling like I am Read more…
I’m a generally hopeful person. But I’ll be honest and say that some moments it takes a great deal of discipline to remain hopeful. Like after listening to the news. I need to feed my hopeful self. Lately I’ve been nourishing myself by visiting Coldwater Spring, a place sacred to Read more…
My experiment involves dancing with a full cup of water. I found myself learning a life lesson about living fully. This was the exercise I led in a recent outdoor dance class. I encourage you to try it yourself with your favorite music. (You will see why it’s advantageous to Read more…