"If a man's ego has been stabilized, resulting in a sure grounding of his sense of personal worth and dignity, then he is in a position to appraise his own intrinsic powers, gifts, talents and abilities"

-Howard Thurman

Peaceful, Centered + Connected

​

I nervously published my first blog post on July 4th, eleven years ago. I found courage in knowing I would be on a flight that morning and figured if I hit publish on my way to the airport, then the sky would keep me in a holding pattern long enough to suspend any temptation I felt to retract my words from the world wide web. It was my public admission to my commitment to follow this gut feeling I had that I was supposed to go into ministry.

I use "ministry" as a loose term. I didn't know what it meant; it was the word that came as close as possible to what something deep within me seemed to be nudging me to explore. I not only shared that I was going to begin exploring this path but also that I had taken a five-figure pay cut and renegotiated my hours so I would have more time during the week to investigate this new sense of direction, passion, and purpose.

I chose July 4th because of the space the flight created between my fear and my words and because of what the day represents in the U.S. - freedom. I had reached a point where the fear of remaining stagnant outweighed the dread I held about what people might think. Something in me felt like this public admission was a movement toward some unknown independence.

I came across something Chani Nicholas shared on Instagram the other day that took me back to this time I'm sharing with you now when my shakey hands hovered over the button that would put my words out into the world.

Whew! That's it, isn't it?!

Something about her words and that declaration feels bigger than independence and freedom as we typically understand them - it feels like sovereignty. A return to trusting what you intuitively sense. Like a connection to something that is both bigger than us and intimate enough to guide us. The force loving us enough to copilot us through fear and toward flight.

Be free. Sovereignty is safety.

Grace + Ease,

Tia

​​A New Way to See the Good News

A new way to see the Good News offers a short passage that may offer a fresh perspective or insight into the ancient collection of poems, letters, and stories known as the Bible.

"And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’"

⎻ Isaiah 30:21

A Breath Prayer

Pause. Take a moment. Find your breath.

Inhale: This is the way​
Exhale: Walk In it

Close your eyes. Continue with the guided inhale and exhale.