When you think of the term “empathy”, how often do you think of its negative side-effects? As if empathy could have any? We have often been told that narcissists do not have the capacity for empathy (not true, actually). Still yet, we are reminded through personality tests that having an empathetic disposition is a positive characteristic. Perhaps it feels magical, even. The way we can feel the feelings of others as though they are radiating outward like energy fields. To... Read more
How do we face change? How do we move through suffering? What happens when the changes we face deliver us to the seat of suffering? Can we find the calm in the center of the storm? Four It was the Gospel of Mark that presented for me a necessary (and immediate) foreshadowing of how to prepare for fall-out. I was recently released from my publisher, which essentially cascaded the potentiality for my podcast to continue. While I won’t go into... Read more
You really don’t need anything at all to be the church. Wait, what? “Be” the church? Is that what I said? Yes, I said what I said. You are the church. You don’t need to go to a church building, nor do you need to organize a home church (which is still a church). Jesus said we would B-E the church. The Body of Christ is also the church of Christ. That’s us- all of us; you, you, you, and... Read more
I don’t know about you, but when I am introduced to a new concept, philosophy, or even a simple idea, I take hold of it and attempt to reevaluate myself and my life based on the prescriptions and ideas of what I have discovered. However, as much fun as it is to implement new behaviors and beliefs; I am cautious to not let it become a doctrine that I cannot break free from. Sushi I like buffets. I like the... Read more
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent tweet about Hope Hicks really struck a nerve with me. As a woman, I am finding it difficult to try and remain optimistic in the idea that women all want the same thing- equality. And in order to get that, we have to remain united in sisterhood. Which means, we need a little consistency. Yet, to my dismay, although I think the majority of us want all women to be heard, respected, and treated equally (as men?);... Read more
Inspired by a social-media meme, I was confronted with a blatant truth that forced me to reflect on the idea that no uterus = no opinion necessary. What I came to realize is how wrong of a statement it is to make. Let’s call this one an “about-face” reflection. I Have the Power to Build You Up or Break You Down The last week has been an emotional roller-coaster for women across the United States. We are fueled by our... Read more
Most of us avoid the confrontation of discussing abortion. Most of us are silent when it comes to speaking out against what is wrong, let alone speaking up for what is right. But given the climate and the horrific changes our country has witnessed, we must remind ourselves that our silence will not save us. Not this time, not ever. It’s Hard for a Woman This week has been a hard week to face, as a woman- especially if you... Read more
What do you do when a person that you have severed connection from suddenly sends a request to reconnect- to repair the relationship? Is such repair even possible? How many times are we to forgive another who has trespassed against us? Reconnection request- how do we respond? We Are Called to Forgive Does forgiveness mean inviting someone back into your life, or can you forgive another without ever having to be in their lives again? How does such forgiveness work?... Read more
Criticism-whether delivered constructively or not-can create an awareness and space for connection. If we are willing to explore beyond a plain-text reading of the critique; we can discover so much about that person as well as ourselves. Within the space of such a provoking engagement, an aim at connectivity has been attempted. Subvert the Sour One of the most basic, but foundational teachings of Jesus is, the way in which he flipped everything on its head. Whether it was tables,... Read more
Danielle Kingstrom
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