When I was researching and preparing for our trip to Portugal last year, the word saudade kept coming up. Saudade:a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one cares for and/or loves. Moreover, it often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never…
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Saudade
We Can Do Better Than That
What a crisply ironed shirt reminded me about care Photo by Mike Bird on Pexels.com I love a crisply ironed shirt. It doesn't have to be a "special-occasion" shirt, or something new. I just love a simple cotton shirt, pressed smooth, collar sitting just right, sleeves with a faint line where the iron last passed…
Sitting in Discomfort
Photo by Vi Nguyen on Pexels.com This morning, I went to a Yin Yoga class. There was a time when I was almost religious about my yoga practice. In those years, I tried just about every style, and for a while, it was simply part of who I was. But it’s been a long time…
The Forecast Calls for Rain
A reflection on Lent, renewal, and the quiet ways prayers are answered There’s a part of me that, in years past, would have looked at this weekend’s forecast and felt immediate disappointment. Rain, all weekend. Plans rearranged. My beautifully planned outdoor Easter tablescape rendered useless. I might have selfishly had a general sense that something…
Redefining Time and Purpose in Retirement
Retirement isn't just about stepping away from work. It's about learning how to relate to time differently.
Life is what happens when you are making other plans
Just before Thanksgiving, I finally pulled the trigger and retired from corporate life. I was ready, and it felt earned, although I didn’t fully realize how ready until I stepped into this new season. To my surprise, the transition felt natural, even easy. It’s been a world of possibility and opportunity. And more than once…
Continue reading ➞ Life is what happens when you are making other plans
So many frogs!
Which one first? My husband is a voracious reader. I like to read but have found that after a day of handling emails and slack messages and spreadsheets, I don't set aside the time for reading in my free time that I would like to. Dave does continue to suggest books occasionally, and a few…
Scar tissue
Hmmm, does this look like he loves her, or that he might want to strangle her? 🙂 Well, here we are, a little over a week after my knee replacement surgery. Recovery is going well, probably even better than I might have hoped. I'm more mobile than expected and can even get around the house…
Favors
"I only talk to God when I need a favor. God, I need a favor" - Jelly Roll I once had a friend tell me that for some people, it's much easier to minister to others than to accept ministry from others. We were talking about someone else at the time, but over the years…
What makes a good leader?
Photo by Polina u2800 on Pexels.com "A boss has the title, a leader has the people." - Simon Sinek I returned home from our annual company kickoff meeting last Friday evening. It's a common cadence in most sales organizations - everyone comes together, learns the themes and messaging that the organization wants us to spread…
An Epiphany!
e·piph·a·ny [əˈpifənē] a Christian holy day (traditionally January 6) that celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or become conscious of, something that is very important to you It's not exactly true that I had an epiphany on the Epiphany, but it does…
Red Chair Reflections 