Inspired by...

Edith Wharton: "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it."


Unless you've sequestered yourself in a cave for the past year, you know there's been a lot of sadness and anger in the news. Just when it all feels demoralizing or too daunting, there can be a brief spot of joy, humor, or reflection. On a gloomy evening in December, NBC Nightly News broadcast a story regarding the power of prayer in "healing the body and soul" according to Brian Williams. It was reported that, within the medical community, there are doctors who believe in prayer playing an important role in a patient's recovery. An accompanying story, shown the next evening, gave air time to doctors who clearly do not share the same belief. It's an interesting debate. 

If you're curious about prayer or looking for inspiration in 2015, here are some suggestions:


Anne Lamott - Help, Thanks, Wow-The Three Essential Prayers; Stitches - A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair;  Small Victories - Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace. Lamott isn't afraid to ask tough questions as she searches for guidance, and shares ideas through her lyrical writing.   

Jane Pauley - Your Life Calling-Reimagining the Rest of Your Life. The first wave of baby boomers are now in their 60s. Retirement and second chances beckon.   

Flannery O'Connor - A Prayer Journal. As a young student at University of Iowa, O'Connor began writing prayers, asking for guidance and grace.

Jimmy Carter - A Call to Action-Women, Religion, Violence and Power. President Carter educates readers of the inequalities and violence faced by women around the world.

Gail Caldwell - New Life, No Instructions. Life has no road map, and Caldwell reveals her struggle with both physical and emotional changes in middle age.  

Ann Patchett - What Now? Originally a commencement speech, Patchett reaches out to anyone at any age who asks "what now?" 

Suzanne Strempek Shea - Sundays in America. Shea brings us along on her extended road trip to explore Christian faith in America.  

Gretchen Rubin -  Happier at Home. Rubin walks the reader through a monthly guide meant to energize and change life at home. 

John Kralik - A Simple Act of Gratitude-How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life. Kralik's life didn't become perfect but the changes were dramatic after he began a letter writing campaign. His message? A simple "thank you."  

Anna Quindlen - A Short Guide to a Happy Life. A guide on enjoying the simple moments in life which Quindlen calls "small pieces of silver."

Diane Muldrow - Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book. The advice is simple yet meaningful: make a friend, use your imagination and be a hugger, among other ideas.

Jon Kabat-Zinn - Mindfulness for Beginners. A subject of a Time magazine cover story, mindfulness is a meditation technique designed to create a new way of thinking and understanding. 

Anne Morrow Lindbergh - Gift From the Sea. Contemplative essays compare shells washing ashore with the phases of a woman's life.

Caroline Myss - Invisible Acts of Power.  Myss asks her readers how their own daily actions will change the world, and will it be change for the better. Also explored - western and eastern religions.

Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet. A Lebanese poet and philosopher, Gibran wrote essays and prayers regarding marriage, friendship, beauty and religion.


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