Add Pray To Your Day!
Erika Harris
How Do You Use Your Voice?
Right out the gate, Susan Stark Christianson wanted to let us know why she sounds the way she does. The damage to her vocal chords that caused her to have to relearn to speak, gave her a very special regard for her voice, and how she uses it -- how she lifts it on behalf of others. All while she spoke, I thought of how she had earned the right to fill my ears. She had earned it both with her content, and her character. Wisdom, help me do the same. Guide me to use my voice to uplift others. Our voices are powerful instruments that charge our surroundings, and the people around...
God Asked: May I Have this Dance?
This was how things started for Judy Lee Trautman. Give or take a few details. And her story made me think of the ways I experience rhythm and rhapsody in my body: my monthly menstrual cycle; my moods, internal seasons, and landscapes; my pineal gland's hunger for sunlight; my intuition's thirst for moonlight; my prayerful salute to yin and yang; movement and rest; succulence and holiness. God has all my dances, it seems. Leading, twirling and dipping me. Floors will never be the same.
The Healing Hour
The Healing Hour I hope I didn’t blow it. I was a guest this weekend, on a radio show with a Muslim audience. I prepared for the show by selecting a prayer reading that talked about women of diversity gathering together. What I wanted the audience to know was how wonderful and how unique it is, to pray in a community with women from different faiths. I’m...
Train Wreck
Train Wreck Someone I love is buriedbeneath fear and paralysis.She has forgottenhow gloriously You made her.And I seem to have forgottenthat Your love for herfar exceeds my limited vision. Forgive me for the many yearsI've rushed in to do Your job.My trust in You has beenwavering and impatient.
The Truth About Ugly Pumpkins
The Truth About Ugly Pumpkins I love pumpkin: pie, seeds, bread, and soup. Just like the ugly scarecrow and the ugly gargoyle, the ugly jack-o-lantern was designed to "ward off evil spirits." I always thought this was a hilarious approach: ward off evil with an ugly decoy! ...
Tomorrow is a Gift, Not a Promise
Betty Bland, nationally-elected President of The Theosophical Society, shared how a near-death experience launched her life into unexpected leadership and service. This made me wonder what I would do differently with my life if I came really close to losing it? If I would forgive more quickly and completely, why not now? If I would take larger creative or emotional risks, why not now? What will it take to fully activate the God-stuff inside of me? I mean all the way activated,...
I Forgive, For Me
Stuff happens. People do things. Or they don't do things. And it might feel disappointing. Or isolating. So, will I choose to remind myself -- again and again -- how unfair it all was? Will I play a 'special victim' and demonize the person who let me down? Rev. Eileen Epperson says releasing resentment (aka "forgiveness") is a better way to handle conflict and offense.
Curiosity Doesn't Kill, Ignorance Does
Curiosity Doesn't Kill, Ignorance Does I was a curious kid. I grew up to be an even more curious adult. And you'd think Google and Wikipedia would help matters but no, they just feed my frenzy to explore and discover all that I can about this incredible gift of life. Exhale.Along those crowded lines of curiosity, I'm going to a lecture at University of Chicago this afternoon titled "
Paying Homage to My Indiana Roots
Paying Homage to My Indiana Roots Today is Indiana Statehood Day On December 11, 1816, Indiana was admitted to the Union. I am not a history buff, but I do tip toward nostalgia. So, since Indiana was my birthplace, and because I spent much of my childhood and college years there, I'm inspired to honor the
Can Meditation Help End Your Suffering?
Rev. Guo Cheen says it can. She offered a practical example. Let's say something has angered you, and you feel it in your body. Blood rushes to your face, and your heart-beat quickens. This is when we have a choice. Most times, we "fight" or "fly." But Cheen walked us through a third option: "relax into the suffering and pain."Hmmm, suffering is not something I typically want to "relax into." But I'd prefer it to fighting or fleeing, so I thought...
How to Really Save Daylight
How to Really Save Daylight So tonight when we go to bed, we've got to set our clocks back one hour. An adjustment we make twice a year to "save daylight." This phrase has always baffled me. Daylight is not saved, it's just moved -- from the beginning of the day to the middle of the day. The merchants who came up with this time-dance scheme felt the daylight was more valuable during "leisure hours" (translation: hours from which you can...
Lighthouses in Dark Waters
Lighthouses in Dark Waters "I'm a little piece of leather, but I'm well put together."And she was. My Grandma. Sassy and sacred in one incredibly charming package. When she wasn't watching the 700 Club, she snapped fresh string beans, or shucked Grandad-grown corn while watching the Price is Right or Family Feud.
Radical Trust
Radical Trust It usually forces itself upon me,because I'd never choose the discomfortthat comes with beingcompletely out of control.I feel utterly humbled bythe hardness of circumstance,and depleted of the ability to fix it.But I trust in Your certaintyand become consumed by calmness.Ultimate reassurance cradles me.Radical trust in You changes...
Limitless
After each show, I'm going to briefly share my biggest take-aways from it. Today, the launch of our show, talking with Susan Diamond gave me lots of insights. Here are just three:Willingness - Take risks. Sure, it can be scary to be "seen" or "heard." It can feel vulnerable to publicly expose your ideas and your heart, but what happens when we are willing to do so? Growth happens. Possibilities emerge. Community draws closer. Willingness neutralizes perfectionism, and makes room for learning and...
Forbidden Fruit Makes Good Pie
Forbidden Fruit Makes Good Pie I turned 40 earlier this month, and have been celebrating every weekend... and some weeknights, too! Last weekend, a group of girlfriends whisked me away to Lisle, Illinois for a hiking day at Morton Arboretum. Morton Salt magnate, Joy Morton, founded the 1,700-acre Arboretum in 1922. It's dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees,...
Pray Talk with Betty Bland: Labyrinths, Theosophy, & Prayer
Chief of Pray
Tick-Tock
Tick-Tock Time is like air,it's a background to everything.It's always there, and like things always there,I can sometimes take it for granted,or not use it wisely. I yearn to spend my time like diamonds,creating premium moments;leveraging minutes for masterpieces,upgrading conversations into communion,allowing the...
A Bird Doesn’t Sing Because it Has an Answer
A Bird Doesn't Sing Because it Has an Answer A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, a bird sings because it has a song. This is a Chinese proverb that showed up on a very pretty t-shirt, designer
Announcing the Launch of Prayables Radio
This Monday, October 4th, at Noon Central will be the first live airing of Prayables Radio! It's the start of a 5-day a week one-hour internet radio show dedicated to your spiritual vibrancy, curiosity and whatever else you say is important to you. We want to do two things with the show: give you the information and inspiration that can lift your day, and interact with you! ...
Friends + Food = Great God-Talk
I believe God wants to be known, seen and felt by us. Sometimes, there are displays in nature that let me know my Creator wants my attention. Sometimes, an inspirational book or song is the voice God uses to speak to me. And often, it is through my relationships with other people that I get to experience the hugs, laughs and lessons my Creator has for me. Have you ever had someone "show up" at just the right time, with just the right word? Have you ever shared a sacred moment with another person that went far beyond human love? My God has arms, and through people, wraps them around me as often as I...
I've Missed You
I've Missed You Years ago, when I first fell in love with You,nothing could silence our connection.The warm assurances we shared were non-stop.You were Everything. Everywhere. Always. Until...Explosive heart-break. Unfair loss. Pain.It was so scalding hot,not even You could console me.I see now that's onlybecause You are gentle and patient.
What's Your Logo?
"Maurine," I asked, "is there any connection between the man on the Quaker Oats box, and your religion?" She laughed kindly before explaining that, no, there was no direct connection. The oats company used the image of the Quaker man because of their reputation for being so trustworthy in business. If your essence was a logo, what would it be?
