NOvember

Posted on by gracesmuggler
Image Description: The words “Yes” and “No” written on a green chalkboard. “No is underlined. Public domain image.


We’ve entered the month of NOvember.

This month, I’m reflecting upon, choosing, and acting upon what it means to say, “No.”

This might mean…
— saying no to tasks that aren’t best for us to do,
— saying no to what brings down our energy,
— saying no to beliefs that no longer serve us,
— saying no to narratives (external, internal, or cultural) that are painful distortions,
— saying no to injustices,
— saying no to systemic ways of doing harm,
— saying no to old patterns we no longer want,
— saying no to doing too much,
— saying no to unreasonable expectations,
— saying no to… (fill in the blank)

And I’m also going to reflect upon, choose, and act upon this realization:
When we say “no,” to some things, we are making way to say “yes” to other things.

We are making space for our best affirmations, intentions, and priorities.

Want to ponder this with me?

–Renee Roederer

Mundane Halloween

Posted on by gracesmuggler

I’m excited to share this with you this morning. Go look at this thread. So silly!

Gotta Put That Stuff on the Schedule

Posted on by gracesmuggler

— I didn’t get to have any time outside yesterday. And it was 71 degrees. That made me sad.

I planned to do that when I got home from work, but driving home, I remembered that I had a Zoom during the last hour of daylight. I could have come home earlier, but I had forgotten about that meeting. I’m usually better at this, but I didn’t plan well.

I need time outside.

— So far this week, I’ve had no social connection outside of work and providing care. I typically put social time into my schedule deliberately where I’m not doing either of these. I’m usually better at this, but I didn’t plan well.

I need social, ‘just be’ time.

Time to course correct. What about you? What do you need to make time for?

–Renee Roederer

Who Loved You Into Loving?

Posted on by gracesmuggler


In my spiritual tradition, today is All Saints Day. It is a day to remember and honor those who have shaped us, particularly those who have died. It can also be a day to honor those who are living. We ponder people over time and how we are connected.

Fred Rogers used to say,

“From the time you were very little, you’ve had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, and loved you into loving.”

Who has done this with you and for you?

–Renee Roederer