“The spiritual life, in other words, is not achieved by denying one part of life for the sake of another. The spiritual life is achieved only by listening to all of life and learning to respond to each of its dimensions wholly and with integrity.”

Joan D. Chittister

Life is all about change. For me it’s been those transformations from within, rather than my effort to be different, that really alter my life. I can only speak for myself but these transformations are from a life rooted with quiet prayer, meditation, solitude, detachment and a renewed connection with all of creation. My prayers are no longer pleading for help but ones of gratitude and questioning, mostly without words. Meditation teaches me to stay present and awake. Each of these has lead me to what I understand is a contemplative life. I enjoy the new eyes and voice I have. I seem to see all of creation with a new pair of glasses. My voice now includes writing, both prose and poetry. The only church I attend is in nature, which has no walls, places such as the Riverbend Ponds along Prospect Road. I like this spiritual life.