Construction Paper Hearts

(A vulnerable and open brain dump that marks the beginning of some serious healing. Proceed if you dare.) By: Gabriela Yareliz Some of us in the world experience a deep rejection and distancing from a close family member. Maybe, it’s a sibling or even a spouse. Where close love can exist, true pain can alsoContinue reading “Construction Paper Hearts”

Wisdom from Brené Brown’s Wilderness

Quotes from Braving the Wilderness: “All too often our so-called strength comes from fear, not love; instead of having a strong back, many of us have a defended front shielding a weak spine. In other words, we walk around brittle and defensive, trying to conceal our lack of confidence. If we strengthen our backs, metaphoricallyContinue reading “Wisdom from Brené Brown’s Wilderness”

Exterior Things

By: Gabriela Yareliz “Exterior things come and go, but why should they disturb me? Why should joy excite me or sorrow cast me down, achievement delight me or failure depress me, life attract or death repel me, if I live only in the Life that is within me by God’s gift?” Thomas Merton, New SeedsContinue reading “Exterior Things”

Thoughts on Peace

Quotes from: New Seeds of Contemplation, by Thomas Merton ”If men really wanted peace they would sincerely ask God for it and He would give it to them. But why should He give the world a peace which it does not really desire? The peace the world pretends to desire is really no peace atContinue reading “Thoughts on Peace”

Nightmarish Fear

By Gabriela Yareliz Our minds can often play us on our worst fears. Take it from someone who had nightmare after nightmare this week, and each was tied to a deep fear, that our bodies and minds respond to our thoughts and emotions. It can affect our mood, our disposition and our peace. Fear alwaysContinue reading “Nightmarish Fear”

Unity Starts in You and Me

[Image from Heidi’s Bridge] By: Gabriela Yareliz People often talk about unity. We talk about power in numbers. We discuss causes for which we should “band together.” Yet, when you see how people live and lead their individual lives, they don’t strive for unity, even on the individual relational level. I don’t mean this inContinue reading “Unity Starts in You and Me”

True Obstacle

Art by Henri Matisse By: Gabriela Yareliz “There is no evil in anything created by God, nor can anything of His become an obstacle to our union with Him. The obstacle is in our ‘self’, that is to say in the tenacious need to maintain our separate, external egotistical will.” (21) New Seeds of Contemplation,Continue reading “True Obstacle”

Awakening

[Image from & Other Stories] By: Gabriela Yareliz “It is not we who choose to awaken ourselves, but God Who chooses to awaken us.” New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton, 10 What a privilege that God is constantly pursuing us. He is constantly trying to open our eyes to things, as soon as we areContinue reading “Awakening”

Finding Joy In Dark Times

“Joy doesn’t demand that trouble is removed from our life, but rather that we savor any good gift in dark times.” Flourish: 21 Ways To Thrive Before 45, The Bible App By: Gabriela Yareliz There are many times when joy seems like a fleeting notion. There are circumstances where it is thought inappropriate to feelContinue reading “Finding Joy In Dark Times”

Sunday Girl: January 14, 2018

Happy Sunday, friends. I wanted to start off the week with some curated encouragement straight from my inbox. We don’t know what the week holds for us, but we know that what we have is today. Today, we can prep, rest and recalibrate. I loved the following quotes and articles: “Life will eventually bring youContinue reading “Sunday Girl: January 14, 2018”