Category:
Living the Faith
Love, Work, and Joy
My mother had read somewhere and often repeated: In order to be happy, you need something love, something to do, and something to look forward to. I used to quip that eating fulfills all three. (A stance I still maintain to this day.) Despite my flippant response, I always acknowledged the wisdom in the simple…
Scared and Unafraid: Video Presentation!
Back on December 3rd I had the opportunity to lead a presentation on fear. I promise something in here will make you think a bit differently about fear. I hope you take the time to watch. Click the image below to play. This link should start at 9:40 which is right before the start of…
Eyes in the Dark: A Choose Your Own Adventure
Choose your own adventure by following the prompts after the intro below. Ready, set, go! I was walking the dog in the dark the other day, which happens a lot this time of year in this part of the world. We’re past the winter solstice but won’t really notice for quite some time. I was…
The Lost Art of Writing Christmas Cards. (And Some Things We Should Maybe Lose Instead)
Right now, I could be writing my Christmas cards. Instead, I’m going to write about writing my Christmas cards. Except this post is not really about writing Christmas cards. Pay close attention. You see, I’ve always loved writing Christmas cards. (It’s the writer thing, don’t judge.) I used to spend a solid two weeks writing…
Simple Thanks: Here is your Reminder
Usually I wash, dry, and remake the bed all in the same day. Only occasionally do I pull spare sheets from the closet to rotate them. This means that when a sock gets caught in the fold of the fitted sheet, it could be months before it is rediscovered. Usually by then its mate has…
Peace, Sock Lint and How There is Nothing New Under the Cover (Except there is)
“Peace. Be still,” Jesus said. He was talking to a storm at the time, but I’m pretty sure he tells me the same thing quite often. “Storm” could be middle my name some days. I like this verse, even though I don’t abide by it very often. I used to do an annual camping trip…
Beauty in Brown: An Alaskan Remix of an Old Proverb
It is amazing how much stress we carry with us when we do not fear being eaten by a bear. I’ve been chewing on a quote that is widely cited as a Byzantine proverb: “He who has bread has many problems; he who has no bread has one problem.” I’d like to provide an updated…
If February Doesn’t March, April May
Springtime lessons from my favorite nonsense quote. I have a friend who is rapturously joyful at the first bug of spring. I about drove off the road once trying to ascertain her sudden gasp until she finally sputtered, “It’s a bug! It’s the first bug of spring!” To me, this foretells mosquitos, biting flies, no-see-ums,…
Seven Minutes of Stillness
A few weeks ago I entered a yoga class after a several year hiatus. This was not the death by planks class of my foolhardy younger years, but a softer, just-enough-to-feel-good variety. As the instructor welcomed us onto our mats, welcomed us to notice our breath, welcomed us into a place of stillness and ease,…
So You Think You’re Tough?
I like to think I’m tough. Here’s how I know I’m not. The other day I was re-reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Farmer Boy. I love reading about these hardy pioneers. I mostly love to read about them while sipping tea in my fuzzy slippers. Now these folks were tough. Back then, it got so cold…
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Meet Janet!
Janet Beagle, PhD is the founder of The Mustard Patch. She divides her time between the Midwest and New England, and if she’s not writing, she’s probably out hiking with her 2-and 4-footed friends.