October 21st, 2020 During my high school years, at least once a week, my mom asked me if I’m gay. Spoiler alert: I’m not. But she would make sure that I was sure. And when I would reaffirm that I was not gay, despite being an absolute nerd who loved theater and musicals and dressingContinue reading “No Matter What”
Tag Archives: Compassion
Things I’ve Learned Happen When You Lose Someone Close To You
October 17th, 2020 If you’re an obituary person (which is an odd kind of person to be, but no judgement), my mom’s will be in Sunday’s edition of the Star Tribune. You can also read it online here: https://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000371633/?fullname=diane-marie-vogen I’ve been told by many people that apparently I am the type to write down words,Continue reading “Things I’ve Learned Happen When You Lose Someone Close To You”
Bigger on the Inside
October 15th, 2020 My dog loves everybody. She cannot handle her damn self when presented (or creating) an opportunity to love on someone. This often displays itself as complete face-licking abandon; sometimes she pulls on her leash so hard my arm is dislocated from the shoulder. The other day, she was happily flopping on theContinue reading “Bigger on the Inside”
Half/Hearted
October 11th, 2020 When I tell somebody I’m going to do something, it’s always half-heartedly. In my head, a plan has as much of a chance failing as it does succeeding. Me saying it aloud isn’t a declaration of my certainty or confidence; it’s more akin to me casting a spell, pushing forth the initialContinue reading “Half/Hearted”
Live & Let Live
October 3rd, 2020 Superheroes have taught me a lot of lessons, but I learned one as a kid that I never forgot, and it feels especially relevant now. At the end of any Spider-Man or Batman cartoon or comic book, I always found myself with an uneasy feeling. I didn’t like how they let theContinue reading “Live & Let Live”
Counterspell
October 1st, 2020 This isn’t a political post. Honest. It starts from a moment during the debate, but it’s deeply personal and I think it’s worth saying. Last night, Trump attacked Hunter Biden’s problems with addiction. Joe spoke up and said he was proud of his son for dealing with those issues. Unfortunately, Trump’s commentsContinue reading “Counterspell”
Around The Fire
September 19th, 2020 Do you ever have a moment when you forget that you’re you? When you do or say something that is completely uncharacteristic of who you are now, but then remember that it used to be a part of who you were? I do. I’ll say something negative. Or I’ll react in anger.Continue reading “Around The Fire”
Worthy
September 15th, 2020 Aggressively strong people change the world with force, fashion and rarely any grace. Saints, conversely, change it with seeds. They plant them using compassion, empathy and quiet courage. When a true saint meets any person — big or small, great or meek, no matter the past, in spite of appearance — theyContinue reading “Worthy”
Lovefool
September 14th, 2020 Our universe is full of systems that help us in the suffering of being human, and only a fool would discount a single one. I’ve mentioned before a series of lectures I’ve been reading, and it’ll be the basis for a lot of the stuff I’ll be writing about. It’s called TheContinue reading “Lovefool”
It’s Evolving!
September 7th, 2020 If you want to hear something hopeful about humanity, I want you to take a little trip with me. I’m reading a book of lectures from 1902, and in a lecture I read tonight, it was explained to me that it took people a long time to get from “Someone should doContinue reading “It’s Evolving!”
The Den 