Category Archives: compassion

The Healing Power of Compassion

I awoke after surgery expecting painand discomfortbut I didn’t expect a hidden griefto break free, rise up andoverwhelmme. In that moment,I knew,as solidly as I knew anything,I needed a hand to hold–a friend who understood to stay with mein this cycloneof sadness. … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Lent, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We Need the Mind of Christ

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.–Albert Einstein What if I start with “we”?I didn’t create the problems the world faces, not on my own. But I do have an impact, good … Continue reading

Posted in autism, compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Must I Do to Be Good?

    As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”       “Why do you call me good?” Jesus … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Revelation

By the miracle of medicine and grace, my mother woke from the malaise of dementia. For two days, her quick mind was back. She laughed and shared stories. She hugged me and thanked me for taking care of her. As I … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Childhood, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sabbath Keeping

At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Is Taken Away

Whoever has will be given more;whoever does not have,even what they have will be taken from them.–Mark 4:25 (NIV) When I heard this scripture one morning, and thought about our generous God, I didn’t hear the word “even.” I heard, … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Circle of Safety

My worrierworks tirelessly,always watching, bracing for bad news,seeing the possibility of disaster,and pushing the panic button. This fearful guardian has wearied mefor as long as I can remember.But when I discovered,as Dorothy did in The Wizard of Oz,that the one … Continue reading

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Heart Sings

The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Christmas, compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amnesia

I sit down to pray disappointed that I didn’t have a better night’s sleep, frustrated that I still can’t get a handle on this. Compassion comes out of hiding,slips in beside me,leans her head on my shoulderand strokes my arm. … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crybaby

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.–Luke 4:1,2 (NIV) Three mornings in a row,I wake from vivid dreamsof what … Continue reading

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments