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A Failed Contemplative

I come to contemplative writing as a failed contemplative. Hell, according to my beloved friend Suzanne, I don’t even pronounce it correctly (she wanted “con-TEMP-la-tive,’ while, unless I’m referring to a person, I generally use “con-tem-PLAY-tive.”)  My failure at contemplation isn’t for want of trying. I’ve done meditation going all...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 24

I am offering y’all these Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 24 during the Lenten season. But my Lenten practice is doing one meditative thing a day. Sometimes it’s contemplative writing. Other times not. When I swim, meditation takes care of itself. Close against the wall, I hold my breath and sink. My body is enveloped in water....

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 23

Contemplation amid chaos. Or, contemplation when hosting Grandparent Camp for an endearing four-year-old. What does Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 23 have to say about that? Set yourself up where a whole lot is going on. Buses pooting black smoke. Children chattering down the sidewalk. Bicycle bells ringing. Make a list of what is happening...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 22

Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 22 From Father Richard Rohr: One of the keys to wisdom is that we must recognize our own biases, our own addictive preoccupations, and those things to which, for some reason, we refuse to pay attention. Until we see these patterns (which is early-stage contemplation), we will never be able to see...

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My Contemplative Writing Journey: A Failed Christian

I come to Contemplative Writing as a failed contemplative and a failed writer and a failed Christian.  Let’s take the last first. I am currently immersed in a Lenten Discipline where I’m offering a Contemplative Writing Prompt each day of the liturgical season. Lent is a religious season. The season runs for the forty days that lead up to...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 19

At some point during the day, pause and write one sentence in your head. Repeat it to yourself. One more time: whisper it into the world. Resume your day. (You can read more about Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent here.) Thank you for visiting, and hope to see you again soon. An image from past Lents to accompany your contemplative...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 17

There comes a time when you don’t want to do this. It rolls up on you and, before you know it, you’re worn out. I think Lent is a time to experience that weariness fully. We are on Day 17 of our Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent, and I am ready for it to be over. I want to move onto the next thing. This posting is no longer new....

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 16

I made it back to the pool today. Two bouts of ailments kept me hopping to different doctors trying to figure out what was wrong. They sucked up 20 days of my life, plus recovery between. But, today, finally in the water. Another reason it took me a bit to get back in the groove: I’m going to a new pool. The procedures felt complicated. The...

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My Invisible Companions, Revealed

Up, down. Bend, straighten. No one ever asks what we want to do. Hello? We’re still here! Doing all the work, in fact. Brain pretends to care but with the Big B, it’s outta sight, outta Brain. “My Invisible companions” sounds romantic. It’s not. When we first came onboard, every thought traveled the spinal cord to us. But now...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 8

The introduction to this Lenten offering of Contemplative Writing Prompts is explained here. Today, our Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 8 is: Take 5 minutes to list 5 beliefs you carried in childhood that no longer shape your life. Of course, Santa Clause immediately comes to mind, but there are certainly others. Don’t judge your...

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