Speaking of Spirit

Photo: (c) 2018 LMRNeas Inspired by my daughter, I took a social media fast this week. I have to admit, while I thought it would be difficult to stay away from Facebook and Instagram, it wasn't. In fact, I found it surprisingly easy, once I set my mind to it. After the week was over, (I fasted from Sunday to Saturday) I wondered if it had done anything for me. Here's what I learned.  I slept better.  Solid uninterrupted 7 hours! I was less anxious and sad. I could think clearer. (For a writer/teacher, this is SO important!) As I am prone to do, I researched to see if anyone else found this to be true. Sure enough, there are hundreds of articles about the benefits of fasting from social media.  Mainly, they all say the same things.  Staying off social media enables you to connect with reality...pure and simple! I have often written about staying away from the news, especially if one has any type of anxiety issues. The constant barrage of neg...

The picture above was taken immediately after my ordination -  June 2013.  I made my stole with bits and pieces of material, lace, and beads sent to me by loved ones. This stole is symbolic of how we all fit together, are connected as well as how our differences when celebrated and connected create something beautiful.  I have often been asked why I became a minister.  Here is my response. “ Here I am  Lord. ”  The first time I heard this hymn based on the story of Isaiah, I felt as if this was my story. I, too, had heard Spirit calling me; I, too, wanted to answer. However, as a young, Catholic girl answering Spirit’s call was confusing. I knew in my heart that I did not want to be a nun; however, to become clergy, I had to be male. Each time I mentioned wanting to become a priest, I was told not to think such things. If becoming a nun was not appealing, then I should simply concentrate on being a good wife and mother. Neverthele...

Photo credit: (c) 2011 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas Has this ever happened to you?  I have been sitting here for an hour trying to come up with something that will have meaning, something that will resonate with my readers, something that will bring inspiration, enlightenment or simply affirmation.  Nothing!   My mind is foggy. There is so much flying around in my head - responsibilities, lesson plans due, bills, concern about family members.  I can't see anything in the vast halls of my accumulation of knowledge. I am getting frustrated, and I know that frustration will produce brain-cramps that will further the problem. So...I am off to do other things - shower, dress, eat, anything to occupy my foggy mind. ~~~~ Well, doing other things did aid me in finding something to share. As I was wandering around the house, I began thinking about what others did to become inspired. From several different faith paths, I remembered that the holy people would...

The Helix Nebula -  "Eye of God" Image via Wikipedia Findin g time for the Divine in the world today,  is often a difficult task. (For the purpose of this post, I will also refer to the Divine as God and Spirit, but welcome readers to use whatever name they know the Divine by as they read.) Everyone has more on their plate than they can handle. Tragic events in the world bring such despair that we often question the very existence of God.  So, how do we continue to walk the Good Red Road, continue to stay balanced on the Middle Path, continue to find the time to connect to Spirit?   For many people, going to a place of worship helps them to maintain their connection. Gathering with others of like mind, helps us remember who we are and what we believe. But often, once some people leave their place of worship, there is a disconnect in which they find themselves once more off balance. Staying connected to Spirit takes work and conscious effort all day lo...