truth & beauty

"We must try to discover the real person we are, otherwise we cannot encounter the Lord in truth. From time to time something authentic shows through: in moments when we are carried away by such joy that we forget who might be looking at us…when we are unself-conscious in moments of extreme pain…or when we have a deep sense of sadness or of wonder. At these moments we see something of the true person that we are. But no sooner have we seen than we often turn away because we do not want to confront this person face to face…. Nevertheless this is the only real person there is in us."

- Anthony Bloom

Finding Solitude

“All human beings are alone. No other person will completely feel like we do, think like we do, act like we do. Each of us is unique, and our aloneness is the other side of our uniqueness. The question is whether we let our aloneness become loneliness or whether we allow it to lead us into solitude. Loneliness is painful; solitude is peaceful. Loneliness makes us cling to others in desperation; solitude allows us to respect others in their uniqueness and create community.

“Letting our aloneness grow into solitude and not into loneliness is a lifelong struggle. It requires conscious choices about whom to be with, what to study, how to pray, and when to ask for counsel. But wise choices will help us to find the solitude where our hearts can grow in love.”

- Henri Nouwen

"Our vocation is hidden in where we are and who we are."

- Henri Nouwen

"Prayer is “soul work” because our souls are those sacred centers where all is one and where God is with us in the most intimate way."

- Henri Nouwen

"The real work of prayer is to become silent and listen to that voice that says good things about me."

- Henri Nouwen

"Artists need encouragement, the building up of courage that community can lend us. The artist in each of us needs and deserves attention in order to build up the heart."

- Matthew Fox

"If you don’t know who you are, then you are vulnerable to other people telling you who you are."

- Jon Walker

"To be human is to be hungry each day for a smile, for a touch, for words of affirmation, and for a sense of connection and meaning….To live and embrace this idea, it requires the we reach out to others without grasping and receive from others without expectation. It is as simple, and as complex as breathing."

- Sarah York

A Promise to Keep - Brandi Carlile

I still talk to you in my sleep
I don’t say much ‘cause the hurt runs too deep
I gave you the moon and the stars to keep
But you gave them back to me

The hill I’m walkin’ up is gettin’ good and steep
But I’m still looking for a promise even I can’t keep

I still lay on my side of the bed
I dance alone when the last bottle’s spent
Memories like a river runnin’ through my head
I’ll have me an ocean before I’m dead

The hill I’m walkin’ up is gettin’ good and steep
But I’m still looking for a promise even I can’t keep

I still whisper sweet words to you
And when I’m busy with nothing to do
I pray to God that my words ring true
And that your words might reach me too

The hill I’m walkin’ up is gettin’ good and steep
But I’m still looking for a promise even I can’t keep
I can’t keep it

My heart’s in pieces so please understand
I’m tryin’ to jump but I’ve nowhere to land
So give me your heart and I’ll give you my hand
And try as goddamn hard as I can

The hill I’m walkin’ up is gettin’ good and steep
But I’m still looking for a promise even I can’t keep
I can’t keep it

"Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view again."

- Alex Tan