Category: Self-help/Encouragement
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A Lighter Way at Wisdom Tree Collective: This Is My Stop
THIS IS MY STOP What My Grandmother’s Dementia Taught Me About Entering Someone Else’s World By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it My grandmother startled us with her shouting. “This is my stop! I want to get off. This is it!” My mom and I…
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What My Inner Critic (Shadow‑Self) Had to Say About Getting Published
Holding Joy and Fear in the Same Moment By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it “I have something for you.” My husband grinned as he handed me a magazine. I glanced at the cover, Presence, the journal I had submitted an article to but never…
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Writing, Like Life, Is a Work in Progress
Confessions of a Recovering Adverb Addict By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it is. A fellow bibliophile recently asked me, “So, what have you been reading lately?” It is a simple question, except for those of us who read like we are at an all‑you‑can‑eat…
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What Would His Mother Say? A Mother’s Day Contemplation on Letting Go
Spiritual Director reflecting on motherhood, release, and the holy work of letting go. By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it is. Jesus should be the protagonist of his own gospel stories. I get that. Still, I often wonder: What would his mother say? I would…
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When the Words Won’t Come
Learning to step away, soften the pressure, and return to the page as myself. By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it is. “Are you okay?” My husband’s voice pulled me out of the spiral. Right then, I realized how stressed I looked, slumped over my…
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Finding Focus: The Struggle of Distractions in Daily Tasks
By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it is. Has anyone else experienced a day like this? I sat down at my desk and looked at my list of to‑do items. Ironically, it was a list I had forgotten I even wrote. It was my attempt…
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A Christmas Vacation Rooted in History
This year, for the first time, my husband, my parents, and I took a Christmas vacation. Usually, if we do travel, it’s to Chattanooga, Tn, to see my family. Or, they come to Nashville to see us. Mom and I made plans to do something unique this year. Christmas Eve was spent with our high…
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Devil Wears Prada 2: How a One-Minute Trailer Became My Therapist
I felt nostalgic, curious, and of a bit of “what are they doing with this sequel?” energy. By Katie Rea — spiritual director, writer, and companion for those listening deeply to life as it is. Mixed Emotions About the Sequel I caught a short preview of The Devil Wears Prada 2 yesterday, and I felt…
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Mercy at the Dentist: A Tale of Cracks, Courage, and Cold Thingies
“Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light.” — Groucho Marx (or at least attributed to him) After a week of tooth pain and denial, I finally bit the bullet (yes, pun is intended, thank you) and made the dreaded call to my dentist. This is not a decision I take lightly. I…
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Through Fire and Water
A reflection on Psalm 66. “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise…” ~Psalm 66: 1-2, NRSV This week, I felt a quiet tug. I sensed an invitation to return to reading the Bible. I’d been praying with apps like Hallow and Centering…
