Creativity as a Catalyst of Healing

Categories: Beauty · Creative Practice · Intentional CreativityTags: · · · · · · · · · ·

Sharing an article I wrote for Columbia Theological Seminary entitled, ‘Creativity as a Catalyst of Healing’ that explores the “I’m not creative” belief that many people claim. A few years ago, I completed work at CTS in Spiritual Formation. When I began, I didn’t even know what Spiritual Formation was. When I completed the work, I wondered how I’d survived so long without it (the formation and practices). The Spiritual Formation work truly transformed the way I experienced day to day living and had me asking hard questions about the faith I’d lived for so long. I connected back with…

The Power of Breath

Categories: Creative Practice · Encouragement · Healing & RestorationTags: · · · · · · · · · ·

A few months back, my friend Kristen and I went to a Transformational Breath workshop. Truthfully, I had no idea what we had signed up for, but I thought the guides may teach some good breathing techniques to help when life throws a curveball and since I love learning about new healing modalities, I was on board. The experience that day was astounding. I learned that we only use about 30% of our breath capacity on any given day. I learned that our breath has amazing power… much more than we realize. Through this particular breathing technique that we practiced,…

The World Needs Your (love) Voice

Categories: Creative Practice · EncouragementTags: · · · · · · · · · · · 2 Comments

You haven’t taken a vow of silence. But, you’ve believed there are certain things better left unsaid. When you’ve tried to champion the cause, spoken the alternate view, you’ve been met with resistance, or worse, disengagement. You don’t want to ruffle too many feathers, take a chance on not pleasing the listener. It’s only natural that you’ve wrapped your bruised voice in burlap and steel wire. You stick to the pallid pleasantries of life. (but) take notice. this is no time to remain silent. Those “certain things” you’ve believed are better left unsaid are the very words we need. The…

You’ve Got the Power

Categories: Creative Practice · EncouragementTags: · · · · · · · · · 4 Comments

Here I am breath held exhale weak halt of flow without awareness I zip up shrink back suck in Do you? ember out quiet down lay low fade to invisible [shallow breath] finger snap spark twinkle glow rays of light awaken my vigilance The practice of flow is minded Air within heaves beautiful rhythm (now) I witness the promise of God’s breath, the very strength of holy dwelling within With intention, I open myself draw in long and slow inhale power Will you? expand yourself feel the source exhale love abundantly given [bottomless breath] you and I connected to divine…

3pm: All Shall Be Well (Lenten Pause)

Categories: Creative Practice · Encouragement · Holy DaysTags: · · · · · · · · · · 3 Comments

This season of Lent, I am focusing on the monastic practice of seven daily pauses. Each week, I offer you a poem and piece of gradually changing art for each pause. Last week, we rested at the Hour of Illumination(12pm). This week, we break at 3pm, the Hour of Wisdom. A wonderful book greatly aiding me through this series is Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr. Here we are, midafternoon, By now, the day has 
witnessed us trip up, led astray, race quick Ashes have fallen upon us 
in word and deed, we swept in by the waves of life:…