Play

From the moment my niece came into this world, she brought out play in me. One Christmas she gave me a rusty metal horse. It sits on a window sill, reminding me to play. Who, or what, encourages play in … Read More

Credentials

Credentials, knowledge, wisdom, discernment, giftedness… A woman turned to me and said one phrase, “Boy! I bet you feel like a loser!” Actually, I was feeling a bit proud of myself. I had remained focused. As person after person voiced … Read More

Owl Medicine

Many people connect Owl with knowledge and wisdom. Knowing satisfies us. In short, we are comfortable in the light. Owls; however, are active at night. Their vision is sharp and their hearing, extraordinary. According to Medicine Cards, by Sams and … Read More

Peacock

Peacock, “Are you proud or simply being true?” Peacocks are known for their color-saturated feathers. Still, if we take a closer look, we see dark and dull ones, too. Peacock invites us to wholeness. Imagine being swept away in Love’s … Read More

Lizards and Pick-Up Sticks

I remember the anticipation I felt playing pick-up sticks, as a child. Who could pull a stick out from the heap, without disturbing the pile? Similarly, in life, we never really know if or how our words and actions will … Read More

Vaporize

I saw it in the other, because I noticed it in myself, and vice versa. Anything we substantiate, becomes a target. When we vaporize our identities; however, arrows can fly through us. On one side, I could have ignored the … Read More

Jaguar

People often ask, “What happens in a spiritual direction session?” Rather than describing spiritual direction with all its uniquenesses, let’s engage in a group exercise. A friend recently shared, Missionary Eaten by a Jaguar, by artist Noé León, on social … Read More

Panther

Twenty-six years ago, the dark night of my soul met me like a ferocious panther. There, I entered the unknown to face myself. Curiously, as I accepted all of me, the universe became more benevolent, as well. Traditions, communities, families, … Read More

Wild Boar

Before moving west, I lived in America’s evangelical south. During our country’s recent upheaval, I have read prayers like, “Lord Jesus, come and rescue us.” If we’ve never done heart wrenching soul work, we are surprised when Life confronts us … Read More

Spirit and Flesh

For a long time, we could keep them separate. Then a babe in a manger moved us along to seeing both spirit and flesh, wrapped up together in swaddling clothes. Being both human and divine, Jesus invited us to embrace … Read More

Nouns and Verbs

My question was more of an expression of wonder. I was not expecting an answer, yet a shooting star, like a big white horse, sped straight over my head. Images and actions give us stories, complete with nouns and verbs. … Read More

Peace

Peering out the window, I watched Dove swoop down through the air and land on Mother Earth. Dove’s presence alone, offered the peace I needed. When we are grieving, nature offers us healing like few remedies can. One day, everything … Read More