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 ...
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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 ...
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 ...
Q&A with Cedric Burrows about His New Book Rhetorical Crossover: The Black Presence in White Culture
This Q&A blog post features Cedric D. Burrows, Ph.D., an assistant professor of English at Marquette University and author of the new book, Rhetorical Crossover: The Black Presence in White Culture (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2020). Cedric’s scholarship focuses on African American rhetoric, cultural rhetorics, social activism, and the legacies and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Movement. As a colleague of Cedric’s, ... 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 ...
Reflection, Retreat, and Recommitment: Learning from the Winter Woods
In a year that’s cracked me open (like this cracked tree trunk), the week of the winter solstice feels full of possibility: renewing of light, changing of seasons, warming of spirits. I’ve found that sense of possibility most profound in the winter woods, where the natural world has so much to teach—and I have so much to learn—again and again and again. Too often, I focus on disliking winter and the cold, dark, and snow that go along with it. But this year, in the midst ... Read more ...
Invitation to Join Upcoming Theatre of the Oppressed Workshops
This fall, as part of the 40-Day Practice: Strengthening Emotional Stamina to Counter White Fragility, I’m facilitating two workshops using theatre of the oppressed. I invite you to join one or both of these workshops, if you’d like to experience Augusto Boal’s powerful approach, rehearse interventions into everyday racism, and connect with others engaged in this work. Here are the workshop dates and description: Friday, October 16th 2-5pm EasternFriday, November 6th ... Read more ...
![A fellow writer recently reminded me that writing retreats are TREATS, so if you’re looking for a way to treat yourself this winter, consider joining for a day or more: https://heart-head-hands.com/product/writing-retreats/
I know that writing may be furthest thing from your mind now. And a writing retreat might not feel like a treat now. No pressure, if life has other plans. I get it. I’m feeling the pandemic big-time these days.
*AND* if you feel like a writing treat would be grounding, supportive, or a retreat from other pressures, consider the upcoming dates: December 1, 6, 14, 21, 28 and January 4, 5.
There are multiple registration options, depending on what fits your budget and whether you’d like to subscribe for ongoing support. These retreats include time for writing, reflection, guided meditation, and optional feedback. Let me know if you have any questions. <3
[Image reads “Treat yourself. One-day writing retreats. Fuel for creative energy. Heart-Head-Hands.com.” The background is brown with blue, green, and orange patterns around the edges. A book-sized gift is wrapped in brown paper.]
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