The 60-Second Sabbath

Growth

  • 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

  • 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

  • Grace Waits

    They are the golden children,the ones for whom doors open,the ones who face few obstacles.And obstacles–when they do appear–can be stepped over or pushed aside,and turn out to be mere annoyancesthat barely impede their progress. And then, one day,the earth… Continue reading

  • The Truth Beyond

    Jesus did not point to himself.Jesus pointed to the Truth beyond himself.Don't get stuck with making Jesus    the sum and total of your faith.This is not what he wants,not according to the gospels. Don't get stuck,if you are of… Continue reading

  • Making Progress

    I review my spiritual journey: I needed clarity then.I need mystery now. I needed definition then.I live in the vast Open now. I needed safety then.I am falling now, ever upward. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All… Continue reading

  • On Growing Old

    He witnessed the aging of his bodywith detachment–as if it were happening to an uncleor a neighbor. The graying hair,the sagging in the face,the loss of mobility and strength–no, not after a lifetimeof doing it right–eating, exercising, making all the… Continue reading

  • For Me

    My poems,my photographs–they live for me,    to please me,    to nurture me,    to move me. Through them,I journey onward. Or, perhaps,they manifest for their own sake. Or, perhaps,for God's. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries.… Continue reading

  • Looking Back on the Day of Epiphany

    So the tree is down and gone for another year.The living room expands, which is a plus,and the furniture breathes deeperand eases back into its familiar placement.  But gone, as well, are the colored lights,the sparkle of ornaments,the friendly jostling… Continue reading

  • A Life of Meaning

    If you want that life–that life of meaning,that life of union with the divine,that life of satisfaction, devotion, wholeness,that life of true and constant perspective–then pursue it full-heartedly. Don't go about it half-assed.It's all or nothing. Text and image © 2013… Continue reading