Blessings Around Us

As I sit in my basement listening (or trying not to listen) to the sounds of hammering as the roof of my home is being replaced post-derecho, I think to myself, I’m so glad I talked to Sister Nancy today. How many times have I had that thought over the years? How many times have…

What We Need Just Now Is Murmuration

Have you ever been awed by the balletic panorama of starlings flying in vast, undulating, geometric patterns across the sky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnndQgIUraQ)? These astounding acrobatic formations are called “murmurations,” when hundreds or even thousands of starlings create dynamic, swooping, intricately coordinated patterns, formed over the flocks’ communal roosting site. Among other purposes, their unchoreographed ballet serves as mutual…

Life After Enlightenment

“Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.” —Zen Proverb In any kind of spiritual practice, whether that be prayer, routine meditation or silent retreat, we might glean sudden wisdom or understanding for something that previously had us feeling stuck. No matter how profound the discovery, life will give…

We Can Do This Hard Thing

I know we’re weary. I know we’re worried. I know we’re impatiently waiting for an answer we’d hoped would come quickly and decisively. This whole year has been about waiting and worrying and being oh-so-weary in the face of an unprecedented global pandemic. For those of us in the Cedar Rapids area, the last three…

Lean into Active Hope

“Active Hope is waking up to the beauty of life on whose behalf we can act. We belong to this world. The web of life is calling us forth at this time. We’ve come a long way and are here to play our part. With Active Hope we realize that there are adventures in store,…

Deep Breaths

What is it about taking a deep breath that settles everything? A deep, full-belly breath is like touching a reset button somewhere inside. When I do this, I instantly feel calmer and more relaxed. I remember my psychology professor sister telling me once that taking deep diaphragmatic breaths stimulates the vagus nerve. My artistic self…

Treasuring Our Trees

On Sunday, we came together with six other area organizations to host the first of three seasonal Treasuring Our Trees events. Nearly 100 individuals and families joined us via Zoom to honor our beloved trees and our deeply felt connection to them. It was a time of song and poetry, of ritual for mourning and…