My son and his family live 35 minutes from us. The hospital they had chosen for the birth of their third baby was also a half-hour away. It was five days to due date, and my daughter-in-law was dilated 3 cm. She was uncomfortable but had no regular contractions. Her husband had a 24-hour paramedic…
Although slam poetry has been around for over three decades, I didn’t know what this genre was until last week. Then I heard five talented poets of “Hear, Here!” Colorado Springs present their work before they competed in this week’s 2015 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, California. [A YouTube sample of slam poetry is at the bottom…
If you want to be a better listener, especially during one-on-one conversations, what I learned this week may be helpful. I heard Spiritual Director Dale Brooks speak on active listening, drawing from the wisdom of St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-543 or 547). Part of the saint’s approach to monastic living divides each day into eight-hour…