I am confused. Perpetually, I will admit, but this is different. I am at a loss. I do not understand why so many are so scared of Amy Coney Barret or her presence in the U.S. Supreme Court. And just by admitting that, I was recently told that was my “privilege” talking. Call it the privilege of curiosity if you must. Allow me to share my view on things since that’s what we do in this day and age, whether... Read more
Remember that really groovy song from back in the day, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner? That was my friggin jam. I listened to that cassette tape until it broke. Tina’s lyrics were a cynical take on love. And considering her story, one could understand why she was skeptical of love. Still, I appreciate the song and I want to apply it as a mantra to how we interact with one another and share information.... Read more
May I have your orientation, please? If we are all sexually-oriented people—which I believe we are, then we can all equally share in the offenses (or non-offenses) of words when they are used with ill intent. I am not fond of sexual exclusion of any kind. This then means that even if I don’t wrap myself up in silken labels of this community or that tribe, I still have just as much of a ”right” to air my internal conflicts... Read more
I admit, in the past, I think I have used the phrase “sexual preference” in place of the phrase “sexual orientation.” I did not do so with any cruel intentions. Merely as a word that I pulled out of the language realm that I had heard used by others, to describe those who operate and orient themselves outside of a heterosexual category. What I am learning, however, is that this choice of paired words irritates the wounds of many... Read more
There is one experience that seems to be almost constant in the state of a trip after taking a dose of LSD or some other substance. It’s that of an inner knowing that there is a potentiality to get lost inside the mind. Or rather, one could find contentment being lost in the abyss of the bliss that unfolds when you are exposed to another realm of sensation. I have heard this said from others who have experienced this phenomenon.... Read more
Dear Progressive Christians, deconstructed Christians, post-Christians, and all the rest of you that still identify your beliefs under the influence or guidance of Jesus’ teachings, where are your grace and mercy? I haven’t seen it in many years. I started following your work, I read your books, and I listened to your podcasts so that I could learn to break away from hateful ideologies of fundamental Christianity, particularly Evangelicalism. But lately, all I see is a new batch of fundamentalism... Read more
Touch Whenever my daughter comes over with my grandson for a visit, my grandson greets me with his hands first. He puts them up in excitement, waves them around, and then touches my face—my cheeks, my eyes, my mouth. Then, he leans forward, and I lean towards his nose and I breathe him in. His little baby scent makes me high. Then I lift him out of his car seat and embrace him and he wraps his short, little arms... Read more
In the last few years, I have grown increasingly more confident in my exterior appearance. I have learned to love my curves, my folds, my stretch marks, and more. I have come to appreciate the “toll” my body has endured from birthing 5 children over a ten-year span. Despite the atrocious ideologies that plagued my life—a Christian fundamentalism that inundated me with an understanding that I was to hide my body and be ashamed of its potential; I have overcome... Read more
We see what we want to see. So, when we see images like a Netflix promotion for a new film, we decide in mere seconds whether the film interests us, or not. If the image conjures discomfort or shame, we react to it accordingly. If the image conjures curiosity, we respond to it. In many regards, we do that with people as well. We look them up and down, and within seconds, we can determine how we will treat a... Read more
Many people believe there is no use for the erotic except for within the confines of a bedroom, between two married adults, one female, and one male. Initially, and perhaps intentionally, society confined the erotic behind limited layers of constructs that help encourage calm amidst the chaos of life. Rather than ask why this was done, most simply accept the constructs with no real pushback. Outside the realm of status quo, where diversity of thought and opinion roam free,... Read more
Danielle Kingstrom
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