Happy New Year, Readers! My 2024 intention is to settle into more life-giving rhythms. “Sacred” is a word I keep turning to because it invokes a reverence that encourages me to slow down, take a breath, look, and listen. I love learning how sacredness manifests in different cultures. Here you’ll find treasures from my exploration. I hope they inspire curiosity and peace.
IN MY OWN WORDS
Are You Listening, 5/2022: Listening can help attune us to the sacredness around us ~ in our relationships with others, ourselves, art, and nature. This piece has practical, reflective suggestions on how to become a better listener.
Blessed Bodies, 12/2023: What started as a light-hearted conversation with my 13-year-old sparked this essay nudging him (and me) to remember that our bodies are sacred gifts in all stages of life.
INSPIRATION
SACRED: Milestones of a Spiritual Life: This documentary, created by over 40 filmmakers around the world, is a whirlwind tour of faith traditions. It gives glimpses into the wide array of rituals that mark turning points in life.
Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC): For years I have learned from the wise CAC teachers, led by Fr. Richard Rohr. The Daily Meditations always encourage reflection and thoughtful action, and the Interior Castle class is deeply moving.
First Nations Version: Reading text that you have heard hundreds of times in a different format can bring a new kind of understanding. That happens to me when I read from the FNV, an indigenous translation of the New Testament.
Bonus: A few books shaping my days.
ENCOURAGEMENT
My local children’s museum recently developed an exhibit called Sacred Places that highlights the religious and cultural stories of people in six different regions of the world, and this photo essay features faith traditions that made their way to my hometown of Indianapolis over thousands of years (and miles).
What are the spaces and traditions in your life that might be considered SACRED to you, your family, or your community? Take time to reflect, visit and explore!
CONNECTION
I’m thankful to be a part of the Redbud Writers Guild, a sacred community of diverse writers, where relationship, authenticity and craft are honored and cultivated. I had the opportunity to retreat with my fellow Redbuds in the Redwoods this fall. It was a time to rest, write, connect, and share the joys and challenges of the writing life.
What comes to mind when you hear the words “SACRED+CULTURE”? …and for my past email subscribers, what do you think of the new Substack format?
I’d love to hear from you!