What is contemplative writing?What is not contemplative writing?And why do I want to prioritize contemplative writing in my life? While teaching the “Contemplative Writing” workshop series this October, the importance of definitions has become increasingly clear. “Contemplative writing” invokes a range of interpretations, so this blog post defines the term and shares questions for exploring your relationship with writing. From there, I offer a guided meditation for ... Read more ...
habits
Contemplative Writing: Journaling and Other Practices for Reflection, Mindfulness, and Intentionality
This October, I’ll be teaching “Contemplative Writing,” a series of writing workshops offered through the Fayetteville Public Library and sponsored by the Brown Chair in English Literacy at the University of Arkansas. Much gratitude to Professor Eric Darnell Pritchard (the Brown Chair) for initiating and sponsoring this collaboration! As an extension of this workshop series, this blog post launches a series of posts (more will come throughout the month of October) ... Read more ...
Lessons from Turtles, or How I’m Practicing Saying “No” to Say “Yes”
Recently, I moved homes, and throughout the move, I kept seeing turtles. Turtles walking across trails, peeking out of shells, and sunbathing on logs.Turtles in real life and on divination cards and in photographs.Turtles of different sizes and species: box turtles and snapping turtles. At first, I thought these turtles were symbolizing that home is with me wherever I am. To go home, go within. This message continues to be comforting as I create a new home-space. Then, I ... Read more ...
Planning Writing Projects: Workshop Handouts and Resources
Welcome to this page of handouts and resources for the upcoming workshop: “Planning Writing Projects.” This workshop is offered through the Fayetteville Public Library and sponsored by the Brown Chair in English Literacy at the University of Arkansas. Much gratitude to Professor Eric Darnell Pritchard (the Brown Chair) for initiating and sponsoring this collaboration! I'm really looking forward to this virtual, public workshop coming up on Thursday, July 29th. I’m sure ... Read more ...
Reflection Questions for Committing, Creating, and Pacing This Summer
Recently, a Patreon subscriber shared that they appreciate reflection questions, and their feedback prompted me to consider which questions feel especially important for this summer (summer 2021). Spinning off the original Q&A response (shared as part of the Q&A newsletter for subscribers), here are some questions I’m sitting with. These are influenced by the CHANI app (“astrology for self-discovery, mindfulness, and healing” by Chani Nicholas and team). The app ... Read more ...
Countering Imposter Syndrome: Workshop Handouts and Resources
Welcome to this page of handouts and resources for the upcoming presentation “Countering Imposter Syndrome and Affirming the Right to Belong.” Designed for students and faculty, this presentation is sponsored by the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The event will be held remotely via Zoom on Tuesday, May 4th 6:00-7:30pm Central time. Workshop Description How can we (researchers, mentors, advisors, ... Read more ...
Vegan and Gluten-free Tempeh Sticks
This spring I’ve been enjoying vegan and gluten-free tempeh sticks regularly, almost daily. Throughout the pandemic, so many things—my health included—have shifted, as I know it has for many people. During the pandemic, I’ve been largely in quarantine mode, so it’s been more than a year since I’ve had acupuncture or gone swimming or had allergy shots (all of which were key to supporting my body). Through the fall and winter, I also managed my emotions through an old ... Read more ...
Reflections on Silence, Fear, Courage, and Writing: Always Come Back to Writing
This past month I’ve read Audre Lorde’s The Cancer Journals: one of the books I’ve heard and thought and talked about long enough that I’ve felt a knowing of it, yet never read it. And the timing of reading it now—during a global pandemic, in the midst of winter, and at a time when I’m trying to figure out my relationship with worsening asthma—has felt miraculously timed. It’s felt particularly significant to read Lorde’s oft-cited quote “your silence will not protect ... Read more ...
Questions for Honoring Creative Energy and Play
Throughout today's writing retreat, I've been considering how to honor creative energy and engage in creative play. Inspired by the CHANI app (and surely by this week's new moon), I’ve been feeling such a pull toward creative play (crocheting, drawing, baking, gardening, and even listening to and writing poetry). And I’m realizing that creative play (with color, texture, shape, craft, and purpose) might be just what’s needed to fuel, inspire, and sustain more serious ... Read more ...
Contemplative Practices for Setting Intentions and Welcoming the New Year
As we approach the new year (saying goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021), I recognize that this year especially is calling for intentional reflection, ritual, and recommitment—ways to mark the passage of time and to honor longings for change. Over the past weeks, I’ve received multiple questions for the Patreon Q&A newsletter asking for meditations and resources to set resolutions and goals for the new year. In this blog post, I answer by offering contemplative ... Read more ...
