“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the Earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer Lately, … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 08.04.21

“Each time you stay present with fear and uncertainty, you’re letting go of a habitual way of finding security and comfort.” -Pema Chodron Many times, I have been told how, as a child, I strongly preferred knowing what to expect. I thrived on routine and familiarity. I was pretty easy-going and happy until my schedule or … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 07.28.21

“May we find our foundation in the work of Love; demanding, tiring, true and human and holy.” ― Pádraig Ó Tuama Expect the unexpected… To some, this may be an anxiety-inducing command. To others, this could be a hopeful reminder of the magic and progress that is still possible. This phrase popped into my head while … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 07.21.21

“All have their worth and each contributes to the worth of the others.”― J.R.R. Tolkien This past week, I received criticism of a particular tendency that someone else, a couple of days later, pointed out as a healthy quality. It reminded me of how important it is to take our time to communicate compassionately and consider … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 07.14.21

“To play is to listen to the imperative inner force that wants to take form and be acted out without reason. It is the joyful, spontaneous expression of oneself.” – Michelle Cassou and Stewart Cubley This week, I saw a friend share a photo of a beautiful knit project they finished, captioning their photo with … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 07.07.21

“In rare moments of deep play, we can lay aside our sense of self, shed time’s continuum, ignore pain, and sit quietly in the absolute present, watching the world’s ordinary miracles. No mind or heart hobbles. No analyzing or explaining. No questing for logic. No promises. No goals. No relationships. No worry. One is completely … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 06.23.21 & 06.30.21

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, but rather we grow old because we stop playing.” – Karl Groos As I was picking a few strawberries today, I imagined the ways that garden work can be done with a playful spirit. I pictured harvesting these shaded berries and digging up the deep crabgrass roots … Continue reading CDF Director’s Corner 06.16.21

“Almost all creativity involves purposeful play.” — Abraham Maslow This might sound silly, but for much of my life, I suspected I was not naturally skillful at playing, at least not in large social settings. I recall experiencing some major feelings of fear and resistance to approaching kids that I did not yet know or … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 06.02.21 & 06.09.21

As I write this, I feel fortunate to have started my day slowly sipping my morning coffee and water while writing my morning pages, then practicing yoga outdoors, next to a lake in northern Minnesota. It really set the tone for my day. No matter how full my to-do list may feel, today brought some … Continue reading Children’s Faith Development Director’s Corner 05.26.21

Today, after a couple of days of feeling sick, I am reflecting on how difficult it is for me to allow myself to fully rest without feeling a tinge of guilt. How impossible it feels for many of us to allow ourselves to rest, particularly those marginalized and oppressed, in a culture that so often … Continue reading Children’s Faith Development Director’s Corner 05.19.21