Lenten Reflection Week 1: 'Unless You Can Demonstrate the Opposite'

There is a tendency during Lent to reprimand and remind yourself that you are nothing but dust, sinners, unworthy of forgiveness unless, by the end of 40 days, you can demonstrate the opposite.

There is a tendency in society to define yourself by your success, wealth, productivity, or lack thereof.

Even in your own internal psyche, there is a tendency to believe you are inadequate and worthless, unless you can demonstrate the opposite.

Challenge this tendency. Let Lent be about you accepting and receiving love, less because of what you do and more because of who you are.

Mardi Gras and More Than Enough

  Mardi Gras. Growing up, I was taught that this was the day to indulge in everything delicious and sinful--much like an alcoholic's last drinks in the cab ride to the rehab facility. It's hard to find little if any religious significance in a day like today--what do greed and gluttony have to do with Lent? Don't most religions ask us to fore go these sins?

But I want to argue for days like today.

Today reminds me to enjoy and become aware of the abundance--that I have what I need. Yes, I am lacking in many things. But for this moment, I can celebrate that I have enough. In most faiths, we are taught that there is an abundance within the Divine Economy, should we ask or seek.

Before Lent, it is important to know what it means to have "enough". When we do this, we enter into a complex transition more fully. We fill ourselves full so that we may enter into the wintry season of Lent--a time of mourning, fasting, loss, sadness, death, so that we can compare these with abundance--able to feel and meditate the contrast even more sharply.

Enjoy the abundance, be reminded we live in an economy of "enough" "more than enough".

That Time I Wanted to Slow Down, Again. (Or, I'm Back)

Preface: After 10 days of bed rest from a concussion in a bike accident, I sent this letter to my graduate program. 

Dear Director of Clinical Training, Academic Advisor, and Chair Department of Program,
WOW I'm feeling a lot better. I expect to return to classes Tuesday. I still may be a little slow...my witticisms and humor may take a bit longer to come back to me. For some of you, that's a relief wink emoticon 

I feel incredibly rejuvenated, ironically. And, I've had some awesome meditation and reflection. The first day or two I spent wondering how I was going to make up for lost time concerning practicum and academic hours. Towards the end of my rest, though, I've realized some really important things.

I can't return to the academic/clinical pace I was moving at prior to my accident. I lost a lot of who I wanted to be as a person and as a practitioner-and in all reams: spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally.

Sadly, I've seen the same thing happen to my current cohorts. And I'm continuing to bump into recent alum who are still feeling burned out from their time at school. This is validating for me. It says that it's not just me who can't answer to the demands of the program without losing something of myself.
I'm making bold statements, I know. But I love Fuller. I love this program. I love my cohort. and I'm committed to finishing strong. A lot needs to change though.

I've got lots of ideas of how we can make this work. And, of course, I'm open to suggestions. The only thing that won't work for me is going back to the pace I was living. Oh, And finding another program at another school isn't an option smile emoticon But I would hope to goodness that wouldn't be a suggestion! smile emoticon I love this school and faculty too much.

I would love to sit down with all of you or just one or each of you individually to see what we can brainstorm! I'm excited, too. Thank you for all the work you've done for me and the program. I can only imagine that the pressure I feel as a student, the faculty must feel much more. We appreciate yall.
Thanks,
Katy