During a recent conversation with a friend, I mentioned that I would soon receive certification as a Spiritual Director. "So, what exactly is spiritual direction?”, she asked. After giving her a rather lengthy and meandering explanation, I realized I needed to come up with a better and more concise response. So I set out on the seemingly simple task of writing my definition.

Pens. Black ink, extra fine point Pilot or Sharpie pens. I can’t have too many. I must be a writer as I have had a long-term love affair with pens. As far back as I can remember, I have always been a bit OCD about my writing utensils. Pencils had to be freshly sharpened; it somehow made me feel smarter, keener, and certainly, much neater. It also mattered to me whether the ink in my pens was black or blue. I think my preference was blue back then; well, purple actually. That was back in junior high school when I changed the spelling of my name to Janis, like Joplin, and I replaced the dot in the “I” with a heart. How perfectly 70’s.

In these few remaining weeks before the winter solstice, I invite you to reflect on Naomi Shihab Nye’s words as you think about what sort of holiday you want to create this year. Rather than slogging through another holiday of worn-out traditions and the gut-wrenching trap of expectations, consider implementing some changes that will make the season more meaningful to you.

In a world where things often feel impermanent, peeling apart the layers of your purpose requires a multifaceted approach. Explore my purpose along with me in this mental meandering.

As a recovering alcoholic, I am well aware of my addictive tendencies and I am finally dealing with one of them: food addiction. It is time for me to look at not just what I eat but why, where, and when I eat so I can stop the harmful behaviors and gradually transition to better food choices. Stay tuned for updates as Dr. Joe and I take arms against a sea of chocolate demons.

Explore the meaning of your true self in this mental musing. After all, “You are what is next and; you cannot fail being you.”

I’ve always struggled to define holiness with traditional religion beliefs. I have experienced that saying “YES” to the mystery unfolding within me and in the world around me is what brings me closer to my truth, which leads me to conclude that holiness comes from within.

Our perception of situations greatly impacts the ways in which we view ourselves and our personal success, or lack there-of. Explore how perception alters our view of reality in my latest group of musings.

The Sahmain Shabbat is a time to celebrate the lives of family, friends, acquaintances and elders of the faith who have passed on. This year, I hosted a Sahmain Shabbat celebration at Brigid’s Circle on October 29. It was a wonderful gathering filled with prayer and company.