The Sophia Project

Oh, election season! The air crackles with electricity, excitement, and of course, suppressed rage. Neighbors wage silent war with increasingly larger yard signs, family members are de-friended on Facebook, and water cooler conversation ceases abruptly when “that liberal” or “that conservative” walks by. Our glorious democratic process, which grants us such wanton freedom of expression, [...]

I’ll be on vacation until mid-June. While I’m traveling, I’m indulging in the opportunity to unplug from the Internet and have some adventures in the real world. While I’m gone, please enjoy these “recycled” posts, starting with this oldie but goodie about why I periodically disconnect from social media. And thanks for reading! Over the [...]

It’s time. On December 20, 2008 I wrote my very first blog post. I was living in Rochester, Minnesota, teaching at a university there. I was at the start of my month-long winter break. I’d been thinking about creating a blog for months. Blogging wasn’t exactly a new invention back in 2008, but it was [...]

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace. [...]

Like most of you, I’ve become obsessed with Downton Abbey. This Masterpiece Classic production currently being shown on PBS details the day to day life of the wealthy Grantham family in early 20th century England. The story cuts between the unfolding dramas among the servants and gentry alike, and what happens when the two worlds [...]

Life takes courage. Life takes so much courage. Sometimes I fool myself into believing that someday life will be predictable. Sometimes I even fool myself into believing I want it to be predictable. But really, getting out of bed in the morning is a tremendous act of faith. Even if life looks remarkably monotonous from [...]

Today Seth Godin blogged about 10 assorted and random tips, inspiring me to create my own list. If you haven’t read his work, Seth is a bona-fied blogger/entrepreneur rockstar, and I’m gleefully copying his idea today. Here are mine, and I hope they help in some small way: Learn to spell “you’re” and “your”. You’re [...]