The 60-Second Sabbath

Humility

  • Drawing Lines

    When we draw lines to separate ourselves from those who are different, from those whom we don't understand, what we're really doing is protecting ourselves from our own weakness, fear and failure. But our weakness, fear and failure unite us… Continue reading

  • To See with the Eyes of the Divine

    In an often-quoted passage from the writings of Thomas Merton, he relates the following epiphany, experienced while standing on a street corner in Louisville, Kentucky: "I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they… Continue reading

  • There Are No Grown-Ups

    It took me until some time in my 40s to finally realize this: There really are no grown-ups. As a kid, of course, you think your parents are grown-ups (at least, if you've been raised in a normal, marginally functional… Continue reading

  • The Next Framework

    We each fit what we observe and experience into the framework that currently holds it together for us, until we're ready to have that framework shaken to the ground and the next one take its place. What I hope for myself… Continue reading

  • Willy’s Revenge

    (Note: If you haven't read yesterday's blog, I encourage you to do so now, because this is a sequel.) About a month after Willy's credenza adventure (or my successfully passing the "credenza test"), before heading to the bathroom to get ready… Continue reading

  • At Ease in Your Own House

    Teresa of Avila tells us, "There is no evil greater than being ill at ease in your own house." We can take that literally, of course, and find plenty of meaning there, but I'm pretty sure she meant something more,… Continue reading

  • Falling Apart, Coming Back Together

    Disintegration leads to reintegration. Loss of the "I" (the ego, the self) leads to fuller integration into the greater "I" (which is ultimately union with all, with the divine, with God). This is the pattern of life, repeated daily, even… Continue reading

  • “If I Were to Seek My Own Glory…”

    Jesus: "If I were to seek my own glory, my glory would be worth nothing" (John 8:54). Yes, that's it exactly. Where did we  get the idea that Jesus would be pleased with us sitting around singing songs about how… Continue reading

  • The Most Humbling Words

    The most humbling words I know are "I'm sorry." Apologizing is painful, so I spend a lot of time making sure I don't need to do it. But something is lost following that policy, first because it takes a lot… Continue reading

  • Ground Rules

    Ground rules: I'm never as right as I think I am. My perception is always clouded. No matter how dramatically and convincingly I'm prepared to state my case, I shouldn't. In cases where I'm convinced I'm innocent and it's all… Continue reading