To celebrate the beginning of the Soul Matters month of Creativity, here are some words from writer, Elizabeth Gilbert. Her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, is one of my favorite reads of the topic. This list is found with greater explanation  https://www.dailygood.org/story/1485/11-tips-to-living-a-creative-life-elizabeth-gilbert/ If you’re alive, you’re a creative person. You’re not a genius, you … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.3.23

I recently have returned to my intention of writing what are known as “morning pages” – a stream-of-consciousness ritual of writing 3 pages first thing each morning (coined by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way.) I had written them quite consistently for around 18 months before having Aedan around, and it provided me with … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.26.23

“Treating each other and ourselves with care isn’t a luxury, but an absolute necessity if we’re going to thrive. Resting isn’t an afterthought, but a basic part of being human.” ― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto   I am grateful to be returning from a healthy mix of fun adventure, restorative leisure, and some caretaking … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.19.23

“May this new year bring you wellbeing, joy, and limitless opportunities to grow. Let’s be fierce in our commitment to value and utilize even the most challenging circumstances as a way to deepen our understanding and cultivate compassion for others (as well as ourselves). Let’s continuously find creative and thoughtful ways to serve living beings … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.5.23

Concluding the month of Vulnerability “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” -Rabindranath Tagore I feel embarrassed and vulnerable when people enter our home in its most disastrous state. It happened this past weekend – Drew invited folks over at … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 3.29.23

“Joy is the most vulnerable emotion we experience, and if you cannot tolerate joy, what you do is you start dress rehearsing tragedy.” – Brené Brown The first time I had a pregnancy test come back positive, I felt nervous and afraid, but Drew was supportive and delighted. The second time around, we were both … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 3.22.23

“Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center, of meaningful human experiences.” – Brené Brown Vulnerability may go hand in hand with discomfort. However, when I consider what an unwillingness to practice the discomfort that vulnerability might mean, I think of all that may suffer: our authentic expression, mental health, connections, and potential opportunities for … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 3.15.23

“We often think that vulnerability is a kind of weakness, but there’s a kind of vulnerability that is actually strength and presence.” — Ram Dass This monthly theme may seem like a tougher one to dig into than love, but I am truly looking forward to exploring what vulnerability means to our youngest friends at … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 3.1.23

“The only obsession everyone wants: ‘love.’ People think that in falling in love they make themselves whole? The Platonic union of souls? I think otherwise. I think you’re whole before you begin. And the love fractures you. You’re whole, and then you’re cracked open.” Philip Roth   What is happening for the remainder of February… This … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 2.22.23

“…Those stones giving extra gravity to your heart? Lay them down in the Great River of Grief. It flows forever. It softens everything. And while you’re still here Don’t miss the miracles. Let your heart be a leaping dolphin. At least sometimes. Let it be an opening rose. Let it be a deep-rooted tree growing … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 2.15.23