Last April, when I was feeling in a low mood and finding it hard to see any progress in my life, I came across a verse of scripture I'd written on a notecard: "Forget the Former Things Do Not Dwell on the Past See, I am doing a New Thing Now it Springs Up: Do … Continue reading A New Thing Springing Up in 2022
#leavetoxicbehind
Taking a Risk in Kentucky
Lately I've been remembering my solo journey in 2016 that was the longest I've ever taken. That year I traveled to Kentucky, to a rural area that was an hour, northeast of Lexington. There I attended an artist's residency at Artcroft, a program that provided living quarters and studios for artists-- including writers. I'd learned … Continue reading Taking a Risk in Kentucky
Bright Side of the Road
Bright Side of the Road. That’s the title of one of my favorite Van Morrison songs that I enjoy dancing to at the Sunday Night Swing Dance. Sometimes I’m fortunate to have William as my partner. He’s from Belfast, Ireland and remembers seeing Van Morrison performing in the local clubs before he was famous. While … Continue reading Bright Side of the Road
Follow Your Energy
Follow Your Energy. That was one of the big takeaways from my Life Coaching course. What I found interesting was how to help clients when they were deciding on a course of action but were conflicted over their options. Prior to my training, I would have probably encouraged the client to write down their options, … Continue reading Follow Your Energy
Follow Your Whim
Just three days into January and I’m starting to feel boxed in. It’s not the record cold weather, or my Christmas decorations losing their luster. This is the season when I start to ponder where I might go on my solo journey, my yearly pilgrimage. The snow in the forecast reminds me of a similar … Continue reading Follow Your Whim
Things You Leave Behind
It's New Year's Eve and I'm remembering that day in September when I stood with the others on the shore of Iona Sound. All forty-one of us from the Abbey were invited to take a pilgrimage to all the important sites on the island. That portion of the beach was where St. Columba and his … Continue reading Things You Leave Behind
Journeys to the Past
At this time of year, I feel a yearning to return to childhood. I long to smell the cedar tree decorated with a string of large multi-colored lights and icicles; to taste the cherries in my aunt's paper-thin cookies; to feel the rush of being in the basement of Rose's Dime Store looking at my hoped-for … Continue reading Journeys to the Past
Enlarge My Territory
The day after I was fired from The Research Company, I packed my suitcase for our family vacation at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. I was in a state of shock, thinking that for the first time in my adult life, I had no job to return to. My husband, David came in and handed me … Continue reading Enlarge My Territory
The Things People Say
I can remember the scene like it was yesterday. The three of us sharing the office at The Research Company. Tara had seen a former co-worker who’d just started cancer treatment. She said to Beth, the other woman in our office, “I can’t believe she’s worried about her weight. She’s just lucky to be alive.” … Continue reading The Things People Say
Looking Back Looking Forward
I study the photograph from four years ago with me standing next to a tall red rock in the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. It was unusual for me to take my solo journey in April, but that trip was planned around the Pikes Peak Writers’ Conference. On that Monday afternoon, I … Continue reading Looking Back Looking Forward
Connie Rosser Riddle 