Living close to the 45th parallel, there's a scent sometimes - often on cool mornings after rainy nights - that appears and transports me to a sacred place. (Also close to the 45th parallel.) It happened the other morning, as I walked out to get the mail. Earthy. Fresh. Crisp. Full of possibility. Uncanny. That… Continue reading Coming (no-longer) home
Author: aliveawakeuncomfortable
I want to get away…
I want to flyyyyyyy awaaaay... yeah yeah yeah-yeah! Ear worm: achieved. All right. Now that I've blessed your day with that little ear worm, I will tell you it's been one of my resounding reactions that has popped up over this last year of quarantining/sheltering-in-place/ limiting my outings/adjusting to pandemic life. Like, I've gotten used… Continue reading I want to get away…
Pen to page to… procrastination?
From the time I purchased my domain and started this blog, I had a bit of a flow going. I'm not a daily or even a weekly writer, but I was knocking out a blog post at least 2-3 times a month, and for me, that felt pretty amazing. And then about 6.5 or 7… Continue reading Pen to page to… procrastination?
Destroying loving-kindness one meditation at a time
Without going into the history of the Christian Lenten season, I'll share with you that I observe it annually. It began yesterday, on Ash Wednesday. As many do, I usually either choose to give something up (sacrifice) or add a spiritual practice, in hope that I'll turn toward God and continue to grow in Him.… Continue reading Destroying loving-kindness one meditation at a time
Allyship: Reporting for Discomfort
Believe it or not, I thought about aspects of this post for a while and began composing it on January 6 ... or what ended up being the day of the "showdown" on the Capitol. I'd been reflecting on ways to process some big thoughts about on-going racism in America, confronting that being an ally… Continue reading Allyship: Reporting for Discomfort
“What are you comfortable with?”
I have asked this kind of question before. It sounds like a polite, intentional question. A helpful question for gauging how to proceed in a situation. One that opens up conversation, instead of shutting it down. A question of consent. And I think it generally is. But I asked it last summer, tired of quarantining… Continue reading “What are you comfortable with?”
Until then.
(A poetic offering.) When all of this is doneWill we recognize each other again? When all the masks are put awayWill you know me with hair turning gray? Will you know me withless weight, or more?Will you still avoidthe grocery stores?Will you stay distantbecause of habits you've learned?Will you be contentto not publicly return -To… Continue reading Until then.
Waiting to land
I am one of those people who knows that new year resolutions don't have a lot of staying power, but still finds a sense of hope and inspiration and "what if I can make all the changes for all the better" each year as January 1 rolls around. I start with an idea... or a… Continue reading Waiting to land
Tidings of Comfort?… Joy?
Cozy families. Classic carols. A fire crackling in the fireplace. Favorite seasonal meals, drinks. Warm oversized sweaters. Soft twinkle lights on the tree. The nostalgia of a favorite Christmas movie. Scents of cinnamon and pine wafting gently. And the joy of passing it on. Traditions. Traditions of comfort. And joy. ... So how does all… Continue reading Tidings of Comfort?… Joy?
Middle class illusions (or dreams of “being comfortable”)
I will preface this post by stating that, if my writing style doesn't totally give it away instantly, I do not claim to be an economist. I will also state that I'm working from the collective recognition and assumption that the middle class is shrinking and/or disappearing; that is, the rich are getting richer and… Continue reading Middle class illusions (or dreams of “being comfortable”)
alive. awake. uncomfortable. 