from the blog
On Ecclesiastes, Creative Block, and Taking Next Steps
I’ll say upfront that I don’t believe creative blocks are limited to artistic work. It can be a creative act to simply try and live our lives, and as such, we will sometimes face blocks. I’ve felt blocked when facing organizational projects, gatherings of people (have I mentioned I’m an introvert?), house cleaning, degreasing my…
To Tend the Wind: The Full Story
If you’ve been following the excerpts I’ve released from my novella in progress, To Tend the Wind, you know it’s been emerging from my encounter with the book of Ecclesiastes via the Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts (RSA) Seminar. Finally, the full table of contents is available below. Enjoy! To Tend the Wind A Novella…
All Those Who Wander: The Spiritual Practice of Walking
I could have driven to the coffee shop. I’d have stayed warmer and drier. But that wasn’t the point. The point was that it was time for a walk. So, inside heavy wool coat, hat, scarf, and mittens, I set out on foot into the swirl of damp snowflakes. They stuck everywhere: on my nose,…
On Difficult Legacies: A Reflection for All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day gives us opportunities to grapple with the sometimes-complicated legacies of important figures in our lives. These people were not, after all, perfect. The person who inspired us may have also disappointed us. The figure who exemplified love may have also exhibited spectacular dysfunction. To reflect on sorting through these difficult legacies, I…
#MeToo 1 Corinthians 13 All Saints Day ancestors art Ash Wednesday books breakups calling churches communion community creative process creative writing cycling Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes story faith family fiction friendship Genesis healing hobbies holidays injury joy justice kintsugi leadership Lent love mental health mental illness Midrash mood disorders mortality mountain biking movement New Year novella On Being pandemic perfectionism perseverance poetry prayer Religion rituals sabbath Sacred Grounds Novels small groups spiritual health moments spiritual practices time transformation unknown vulnerability walking workplace
Callie J. Smith 