Peaceful, Centered + Connected
I was in the post office this week 15 minutes before closing time. There was a family in front of me attempting to mail a large box to Chicago but they had Sharpied the wrong zip code on the package. They were instructed to stand in this place of limbo, not at the counter or in line. There was an understanding that once they had figured out the five magic numbers that would get their parcel to Illinois they'd immediately be welcomed back to the register.
The youngest member of the family was a boy. I'm guessing he was around 5 years old. He entertained himself with a stuffed Sonic the Hedgehog toy. Up-and-down Sonic zoomed through the air as the little boy's dad searched for numbers. The key to reclaiming their place in line and getting their shipment off was discovered without much delay. The clock ticked, and the line had grown. Ten-minutes to close.
The postal employee leaned over toward the child. "You sure are a cutie!" she said. Without hesitation, he stood straight and loudly proclaimed, "I'm not a cutie! I'm handsome!" The employee smiled, and gentle laughs came from the lobby full of customers. "You're right," she said." "You are handsome."
To be sure of oneself. To know who you are is a revolutionary act that has a communal impact. The problem (if I may call it that) is the self most of us identify with is the self that believes we are what we have, what we do, and what others think say, or feel about us. This is an unstable ground for a sense of identity and authentic power. Whole nations can over-identify with this false self resulting in collective decisions that are against their own Self-interest and well-being.
The spiritual journey invites us to come into remembrance, alignment, and union with our True Self. Sue Monk Kidd says,"The True Self is not our creation, but God's. It is the self we are in our depths. It is our capacity for divinity and transcendence. I think there must be a place inside of us where dreams go and wait their turn."
My teacher, the late Dr. Barbara Holmes, told me this is why we sit in silence (as a spiritual practice), so that God may reveal and remind us of who we are. When we know who we are we can more confidently stand tall against proclamations of who we are not.
This source of Self Love is not selfish. This Self, the True Self, anchors and guides us from both a boundary and an expansive place.
Lean.
Listen.
The lobby fills and closing nears.
Who are you? What dream awaits it's turn?
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 Moses said, “Here I am.”
⎻ Exodus 3:4
A Breath Prayer
Pause. Take a moment. Close your eyes. Find your breath.
Inhale: Here
Exhale: I am
The Black Contemplative Prayer Summit Happens This Month
The First Black Contemplative Prayer Virtual Summit is something I'm curating and hosting. This summit is for everyone and led by Black contemplative teachers and thought leaders featuring a keynote from New York Times best selling author Cole Arthur Riley.
There should be no financial barrier to attending. I am working with the Chicago chapter of Contemplative Outreach to create an accessible experience for all who desire to register. To inquire about scholarships simply reply to this email.
Spiritual Guidance Sessions Close in March and Return in July
Nurturing Spiritual Growth in 2025 – Now Booking 1:1 Sessions
A unique opportunity to embark on a 12-month spiritual guidance journey with me—meeting once a month, for a full year, to explore, reflect, and grow in the ways you nurture yourself.
What is the 12-Month Spiritual Guidance Journey?
This one-on-one guidance is designed to support you as you nurture your inner life and explore questions that matter most to you. Over the course of 12 months, we’ll meet once a month (virtually or on a call) to co-create a space for reflection, growth, and discovery.
Together, we will:
- Create a personalized path of growth that aligns with your life and commitments
- Work through challenges that arise in your spiritual or professional life as you show up for others during times of turmoil
- Cultivate a deeper connection to yourself, those you serve, and the sacred
What to Expect:
- Monthly 1:1 Sessions: We’ll meet once a month for an hour over the course of the year to support your journey.
- Co-Created Schedule: We’ll design a flexible meeting schedule that fits into your life.
- Personalized Guidance: You’ll receive spiritual support tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
Ready to Begin?
If you're feeling called to invest in your spiritual growth and take this journey with me this year, I invite you to secure your sessions now.
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12-month Spiritual Guidance Journey
This one-on-one guidance is designed to support you as you nurture your inner life and explore questions that matter... Read more |
To learn more or explore payment plan options reply to this email.
