When it comes to reducing stress, a good place to start is with time, priorities, and distractions. One well-known tool is the time management matrix, originally associated with Dwight D. Eisenhower and later popularized by Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People . It offers a simple way to sort out what matters most. I’ve used this framework with students, young professionals, and clients to organize responsibilities and reflect on workload. Over time, I beg

Burnout and stress have a way of returning, like tides we didn’t quite notice rising. In listening to clients and workshop participants, I’m often reminded that hitting “bottom” or running out of steam isn’t a personal failure. It’s part of a cycle many of us move through over the course of a full life. When we invest deeply in work, family, friendships, or community, we often begin by giving generously. Over time, that level of commitment can become difficult to sustain. Wha

Stories shape us - sharing reflections and practices to help you compassionately discover where the sacred is already alive in you. Reflections: Making Space of Self-Compassion   Self-compassion is less about fixing ourselves and more about how we meet ourselves. It holds a quiet tension: accepting what is while still allowing room for change.   One simple practice we’ve started doing is to say the phrase, “Of course…”! Of course I forgot. Of course, that situation felt diff

Stories shape us - sharing reflections and practices to help you compassionately discover where the sacred is already alive in you. Reflections:   Creativity is a quiet companion in both Narratice Coaching and Spiritual Direction. When people share their stories, there is often a tendencey to either pretend painful chapters did not happen or become paralyzed by them. Over time, these patterns can leave a person feeling trapped or stuck. Creativity, in the form of imagination,

Reflection Lately, I've been reflecting on the idea of story and how each of us carries many of them. Ask anyone about a recent holiday, vacation, or birhtday, and before long a story emerges. Through years of listening to people share their stories, I’ve noticed a common pattern: we often focus on the negative ones. The “what ifs,” “if onlys,” and “I should have…” narratives can quietly turn into what I think of as shame stories. When we get stuck in them, we tend to judge o

Stories shape us - sharing reflections and practices to help you compassionately discover where the sacred is already alive in you. Reflections: Beginning the Year with the Awen. Listening for the Flowing Spirit   As we begin 2026, I’ve been reflecting on our logo the Awen, a Celtic symbol made of three dots with three rays of light extending from them. The word Awen means “flowing Spirit,” and it points to the ways Spirit awakens inspiration, creativity, and balance. The Aw

Stories shape us - sharing reflections and practices to help you compassionately discover where the sacred is already alive in you. Reflections: This Holiday Season, A Time to Remember As I reflect on this Holiday Season and the end of 2025, I find myself thinking about what this time of year means to me. One thing I’m reminded of is a familiar pull I feel throughout the year, a tendency to forget who I truly am at the deepest part of my being. There are mo

Stories shape us - sharing reflections and practices to help you compassionately discover where the sacred is already alive in you. Reflections: Why a newsletter   This newsletter is something new for us, a space we hope will be both encouraging and informational. Each month we will be offering gentle reminders, insights, and invitations you can carry into your daily life. We're grateful to walk alongside you as Your Story and a Flashlight continues to grow. Practice: A Simpl

Last week I described what Spiritual Direction is NOT. To recap, it is NOT about the Spiritual Directors agenda, creating Disciples, or...

What images come to mind when you think of Spiritual Direction? How do you define Spiritual Direction? Are you having a difficult time...

A couple of weeks ago I had a profound experience pulling weeds in our garden. The last few social media post showed the number of...

I have been thinking about leadership lately. Mostly, I am reflecting on my time as the Executive Director/leader of a non-profit. Before...

I believe that this time in history is a time to Grieve or Mourn. Unfortunately, in my opinion, our culture doesn’t allow for people to...

Find People (Part 5 of 6) This is the third of four burnout prevention tactics, Find People. I don’t just mean find any old people. Like...

Exercise (Part 4 of 6) I have transitioned on the topic of Burnout to ways to help either prevent or combat it if you are experiencing it...

Hobbies (Part 3 of 6) In the last couple of blog post I defined and painted a picture of what burnout looks like. Now I am going to focus...

Burnout: Symptoms and Consequences (Part 2 of 6) In part 1 I defined and gave some possible causes to burnout. This week I want to look...

I started a ministry called Cup of Cool Water (CCW) in 1995. Cup of Cool Water’s mission is to walk alongside youth who are homeless on...

Well we are almost a week into the new year. How many of you made a new year resolution? How many of you have already failed at your new...

The logo for Your Story and a Flashlight was created by a friend of mine who is a graphic designer. It is a representation of the Celtic...