Surprise is the practice of accepting the unexpected interruption, and the practice of leaving enough space in the day for something to happen that isn’t on the list. Surrendering to surprise is the practice of balancing structure and openness.

The purpose of life is not to maintain personal comfort; it’s to grow the soul.

When you are stuck in a spiral, to change the aspects of the spin you only need to change one thing.

Millions of people are joined in the knowledge that writing brings insight and calm in the same way that prayer, meditation, or a long walk in the woods does. They have discovered that writing allows the racing mind to move at the pace of pen and paper or the pace of typing on the waiting screen - that journal writing is a spiritual practice.

We need a revolution in the West: not violent overthrow, but a willingness to take responsibility for the course of history being set forth in our names. We need a revolution determined to activate broad, inclusive social change.

Words are how we think; stories are how we link.

In the midst of overwhelming noise and distraction, the voice of story is calling us to remember our true selves.

Writing bridges the inner and outer worlds and connects the paths of action and reflection.

Ritual consists of the external practices of spirituality that help us become more receptive and aware of the closeness of our lives to the sacred. Ritual is the act of sanctifying action - even ordinary action - so that it has meaning. I can light a candle because I need the light or because the candle represents the light I need.

Spiritual empowerment is evidenced in our lives by our willingness to tell ourselves the truth, to listen to the truth when it's told to us, and to dispense truth as lovingly as possible, when we feel compelled to talk from the heart.