News + New Good Things from Tia Norman

“A contemplative is not a special kind of person, but every person is a special kind of contemplative.”

- Tessa Bielecki

Friends,

I’m dropping in off our regular News and New Good things schedule to share a few time-sensitive happenings as we linger in the space between one year and the next. So this one is mostly news of the new good things in hopes that it will serve as an opening to your New Year.

Here are two ways you can join in practice and community, along with one reminder of how we can journey together 1:1 in 2026.

I’ll be back soon with the sharings you’ve become accustomed to at the pace you've become accustomed to. Until then.

Grace + Ease,

Tia

New Good Things

I’m excited to invite you to join me at the Centering Prayer Summit, happening January 24th–25th. It’s an honor and a grace to be participating in two different ways this year.

I’ll be offering a session that explores Father Thomas Keating’s understanding of the false self—the patterns we develop from early wounds and unmet needs that can quietly shape our lives. We’ll spend time noticing how these “programs for happiness” show up in our reactions, our relationships, and the ways we move through the world. From there, we’ll come together for a panel conversation between myself, author Abi Robins and licensed psychotherapist, Christo Brehm, to reflect on how these patterns don’t just live in us individually, but also show up collectively in our shared life.

Registration before December 18th includes you and a friend.

2026 Black Contemplative Prayer Summit

Early Bird Offer Ends December 15th

Registration for the 2026 Black Contemplative Prayer Virtual Summit in Partnership with Awakenings, Inc. is now live!

Theme: Deepening the Well
Building on the foundation we created together, this year turns inward and downward—into the rich wisdom of Black contemplative voices. We will focus on healing, wholeness, and cultivating inner sanctuary for ourselves and our communities. The Summit is led by voices of color and open to all.

📅 February 21–22, 2026
📍 Online – Together across the diaspora

You are invited to explore our full list of wisdom teachers and guides and secure your spot by visiting the summit site here:
👉🏽 Black Contemplative Prayer Summit

Special Early Registration Access

From now until December 15, you can register and include a guest for just $99.

At checkout, you’ll be prompted to enter your guest’s email address so we can begin including them in summit communication starting December 16. We recommend forwarding your confirmation email to them as a warm welcome and assurance that they’re fully registered.

Scholarship Request

Financial accessibility is important to us. If a scholarship would support your ability to participate, please email me directly at:
📩 Tia@contemplatehouston.com
No one should feel that finances are a barrier to responding to a call to contemplative presence.

Visiting 1:1 in 2026

I’ve opened up space for a limited number of one-on-one sessions starting in January. If you’re interested in working together the New Year, I’d love to connect. The booking window will close this month, so please reach out before then by replying to this email if you’d like to reserve a spot or secure our monthly visits by clicking below.