Pearls of Reflection

If kneeling is a form of prayer, do I get extra credit for taking this sacred posture in the Atlantic on a 20 degree Fahrenheit morning?  Ha!   My 30 year-old and their partner thought it would be fun...

While celebrating the holidays in both the United States and Canada, I encountered several examples of “othering.” For those not familiar with this word, Merriam-Webster states that “othering” means “to...

I haven’t had much luck as a “wanna be birder.” To prepare for my first outing, I had dug an old pair of binoculars out of our cabinet. As the other birders stared with fascination at the apparently rare...

Mark and I have dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights for a long, long time. We’ve tried to spot them on numerous trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the North Shore of Minnesota, and in various...

There was a rhythm to her raking.Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh.Then, a bigger WHOOSHas damp leaves were tossed onto plastic tarp. Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh.WHOOSH. Againand againand again. As Raker surrendered to...

Last time I biked to this Evanston coffee house, I wasn’t carrying any cash. This time, I was prepared with a couple dollars. I immediately recognized him, although I didn’t remember his name. He was wearing...

As I obsessively tune into the relentless news cycle, I’m overwhelmed by all the chaos around me. Chaos within me, too. I have no idea how to respond. And yet, when I begin to feel this sense of powerlessness,...

I wake early to misty rain on dark windows, reluctantly arise, craning my neck to catch a glimpse of pink sky. Yes! I’ll venture out! I take the solitary path towards churning waters, pausing to...

For many years, I communed with the Buddha statue in the Peace Garden. During this time, I took photo after photo of him sitting among the fall leaves, the winter snow, the spring buds, and the summer...

A 15 kilometer hike doesn’t sound like much, but the elevation, rocks, roots, and uneven steps all posed a challenge to my knees.  There just aren’t opportunities to be a mountain goat in Chicago!   By...

As I packed for a pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland, I was apprehensive about how the local people would welcome us Americans. Our president certainly hasn’t helped our international reputation. I decided...

There’s so much heartbreak in these devastating political times. I wanted to participate in one of the “Hands Off” demonstrations earlier this month. Instead, I was healing my own heart by taking a spring...

Who am I? What does my driver’s license say: gender, eye and hair color, height and weight? (How honest is the latter?) How do I present myself? What do I wear? (This one’s easy – no one...

The teacher said, “Feel joy as you breathe in. Feel peace as you breathe out.” Really? I’m struggling with this walking meditation in the dark Gothic chapel. I long to be outside in the light. Besides,...

“To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3-1 A time to listen...

As I enter this new year I want to trust in the Light the same Light that dwells deep inside every person and living being. I get distracted by all the loud and negative voices that disregard the dignity of...

Start small with a tiny baby an old carpenter and a wide-eyed teenager. Add a weary donkey an inquisitive cow and some wandering shepherds with their smelly sheep. Place a bright angel in the scene as...

I’ve never considered myself an evangelist, but I find myself wanting to shout from my sixth floor condominium: Try a hot sauna and a cold plunge! There’s this little truck that comes to a Chicago area...

I feel sadfor Mother Oaklooking so thinafter shedding all those leaves.Surely she’s grievingafter so much loss. Standing tallshe winks at me,and says,“There’s freedomin letting go.” My breathing slowsand...

As I bike the Chicago lakefront path, I notice the black, gray, and white clouds swirling over the pale orange horizon. A few patches of bright blue sky are also emerging. I stop to gaze at this spectacular...