Wonder and Whimsy

How to Save the World Quietly

I have titled this post “How to Save the World Quietly” because I think we often believe that if the world is to be saved, we must do it in big, spectacular ways—like discovering the cure for cancer or brokering peace between warring nations. Of course, people sometimes save the world in big ways like… Continue reading How to Save the World Quietly

Uncategorized

Are Humans Good or Evil by Nature?

Are humans good or evil by nature? First, a Bit of Background At the small liberal arts college where I teach, I teach an introductory course called Foundations. It is a class that teaches freshmen the basics of reading, writing, and critical thinking, but it is also a lot more than that. The class focuses… Continue reading Are Humans Good or Evil by Nature?

Intentions and Prayers, Spirituality and Love

An Intention or Prayer for the Hopeless

Sometimes we feel stuck in a bad place, or we feel the world is stuck in a bad place, and we feel like things will never change. This can lead to feelings of despair or hopelessness. All of us feel hopeless sometimes, and if you are feeling that way today, you are not alone. Here… Continue reading An Intention or Prayer for the Hopeless

Lists About Important and Silly Stuff, Overcoming Self-loathing and Anxiety, Politics and Love, Self-compassion

Dealing With Painful Emotions in a Loving Way: 10 Things to Remember When You Feel Hopeless

Suffering and pain are an inescapable part of the human condition. Given that, sometimes it seems like having a positive outlook is delusional, naïve, or even irresponsible. I have come to believe, however, that having a positive outlook is one of the most helpful things in life. Adopting such an outlook is not naïve or… Continue reading Dealing With Painful Emotions in a Loving Way: 10 Things to Remember When You Feel Hopeless

Politics and Love

How I Started Believing in Santa Claus

I don’t ever remember believing in Santa Claus growing up. There is a recording of me at Christmas when I was three. I opened a present, and when I discovered the doll I had wanted, I exclaimed to my mom, “Oh Faye!” Of course, I usually called her mommy at age three. And I am… Continue reading How I Started Believing in Santa Claus

Politics and Love

Rene Girard, Donald Trump, and How I Got My Advent Groove Back

I have a confession: In the past, I haven’t liked the season of Advent very much. This is a bummer because I am Christian, and I feel like I should like Advent. I mean, Advent is the time of the year when we anticipate the birth of the Christ Child. This is the Christ who… Continue reading Rene Girard, Donald Trump, and How I Got My Advent Groove Back