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The Unspeaking Center

Prose and poetry reflecting on the simplicity, meaning, and beauty of the everyday.

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The Time to Begin
Opener of Doors II
The Hidden Gift
The Colors of Delight
The Soundtrack of our Lives
Life at the Guild: First Impressions
Transition: Blessed Endings and New Beginnings
Chaos and Calm in the Everyday
You Must Go
The Gifts of Summer
Here
For Longing
Generosity
Devotion: The lasting impact of my pup
Kindness
Flirting with Art: When writing became sexy
The Necessity of Help
An Illumined Future
Encountering Silence in Community
A Reckoning… with Desire
On Rest, Work and Burnout
Being Found
Beginning… again

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Opening
Following the Breadcrumbs
The Time to Begin
Opener of Doors II
The Hidden Gift

Poetry

Companions
Enough
For Eli
I Stood, Trembling
Imperfect
Invitation
Lessons from an Inanimate Object
Light in the Night
Longing
Raconteur
Reflection
Renewal
Rise, Oh Depths
Shattered Illusions
Silence
Solitude
Stillness
Thank You
The Gift
The Shades of Gray
Tidal Rhythms
To See and Be Seen
Welcome
What Lies Hidden

Blog Posts

June 2019
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February 2019
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December 2018
September 2018
July 2018
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February 2018

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Nothing like the words of Mary Oliver in the dead of winter when the rains keep us indoors and tempt us to forget the steadying graciousness of the Earth. “Oh, Mother Earth, your comfort is great, your arms never withhold. It has saved my life to know this. Your rivers flowing, your roses opening in the morning. Oh, motions of tenderness!” - Mary Oliver Now, excuse me while I go outside to play. #maryoliver #naturephotography #motherearth #optoutside🌲 #beauty

Missing words in this season of life.... and wondering how it is we can juggle the “necessities” of life with the equally important aspects of life that bring joy, meaning, and hope. I don’t have answers, but taking a day off affords some space to sit with the question—a start. A Morning Offering I bless the night that nourished my heart To set the ghosts of longing free Into the flow and figure of dream That went to harvest from the dark Bread for the hunger no one sees. All that is eternal in me Welcomes the wonder of this day, The field of brightness it creates Offering time for each thing To arise and illuminate. I place on the altar of dawn: The quiet loyalty of breath, The tent of thought where I shelter, Waves of desire I am shore to And all beauty drawn to the eye. May my mind come alive today To the invisible geography That invites me to new frontiers, To break the dead shell of yesterdays, To risk being disturbed and changed. May I have the courage today To live the life that I would love, To postpone my dream no longer But do at last what I came here for And waste my heart on fear no more. -John O’Donohue

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer, “Braiding Sweetgrass” Yes. Yes. And yes. Go and get this book... but before you do, simply step outside your front door, open your eyes and breathe in the (cool) joy. We are surrounded, held, and fed. The earth is a gift [given]. And our lives are gifts [to be] given in turn.

Ad•ven•ture: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks. A life worth living is marked by risk, adventure, and vulnerability. Here’s to a year—and decade—full of adventure.

These two are the most fun.

Best buds. 😊

Tag: being

Chaos and Calm in the Everyday

This morning, I feel inclined to move slowly—to sit, breathe, look, and listen. Watch my notebook rise and fall with … Continue reading Chaos and Calm in the Everyday

On Rest, Work and Burnout

Do you ever have those weeks—or series of weeks—in which one by one, things pile up: frustrations, to-do lists, exhausting … Continue reading On Rest, Work and Burnout

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