The 60-Second Sabbath

Growth

  • J.O.Y.

    I was taughta three-part formulafor pleasing God,for achieving success,for finding happiness:J.O.Y:     Jesus first,    Others second,    Yourself last. For a child first forging identity,this is bad advice;developmentally,the child's primary taskis to put herself first.Forcing her to do… Continue reading

  • User’s Manual

    I'm looking for my user's manual,the one I'm sure my parents were givenwhen someone bundled me upand sent me homefrom the Lila J. Post Memorial Hospitalin Battle Creek, Michigan,60 years ago,the manual describing care and upkeep,feeding,cleaning,avoiding undo wear and tear.… Continue reading

  • Let Go. Let Go. Let Go.

    Part 1 "What will you takefrom our time together?"asked the therapist,as he always didwhen drawing a session to a close.  "That I can continueto let things be what they are,to release,to relinquish control. Let go.Let go.Let go." Part 2 What… Continue reading

  • Betrayal

    I was taught:it's better to betray myselfthan to disappoint others. Now I believe:to betray myselfis to betray God. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.   Continue reading

  • Turning Rocks

    I am slowly(so slowly)learning that… My fear of what liesunder the rock is far more debilitating than what actually liesunder the rock. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.   Continue reading

  • Mere Visitors

    I can observe my thoughtsand realize that they are only thoughts,without actuality or substance,momentary visitors,some familiar, some strange,some welcome, some not. I can stop mistakingthese thoughts for me. "Hello," I say,and more so,"Goodbye.Goodbye." Text and image © 2012 by Dirk… Continue reading

  • A Perfectionist Starts to Heal

    I can embrace all of my feelings–even the unpleasant ones–with respect. I can allow my inconsistencies. I don't have to be right. I don't have to like everyone. I don't have to get everything done. I don't have to please… Continue reading

  • Stopping by My Mind on a Spring Evening

    Whose thoughts are these?I think I know.He dwells within the crawlspace, though.I often find him mewling near,obsessing concepts, theories, fear,postures old and long of tooth,and seldom grounded in the truth. No time have I for thoughts like these,for I have… Continue reading

  • Helium

    Now is the time of letting go. Sadness, certainly,but also dusky shades of something salvific. I am a helium-filled balloon;letting go,I finally, finallyfly. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Sabbatical

    To those of you have followed my blog, offered comments, expressed appreciation and encouraged me, I thank you. It is time for me to take a break. I'm going on haitus to focus my energy on healing. It's my hope… Continue reading