My friend Carla Jean Whitley has been writing about books for 20-ish years. Every Decemeber she does a best-of roundup with Rachel Burchfield on her podcast I’d Rather Be Reading.
Read MoreIt’s the first Tuesday of January, so the first books of the year are coming out. Here are five books I’m definitely buying and reading this month with details from the publishers.
Read MoreDuring Advent of 2021, I did an Instagram Live video series for Advent Breath Prayers using the Book of Common Prayer.
Here’s the very first one for the First Sunday of Advent. The full transcript is below. I also pulled some quotes if you want to get the gist of the video and practice without watching the entire thing.
Read MoreHere’s what those who registered for The Great Belonging Project October Refresh will receive on October 1st. This is only the beginning…
I’d love for you to join us. You can register here. Anyone who registers after October 1st will receive links to all of the previous emails.
Read MoreThis update includes information on Books, Spiritual Direction, and Retreats & Gatherings. Subscribe to my Tuesday email newsletter to stay in the loop and receive the latest and greatest updates and resources.
Read MoreA couple of weeks ago I went live on Instagram to describe one simple way I like to engage with labyrinths. I also included additional prayer labyrinth resources and links.
Read MoreHere’s a fantastic Spiritual Memoir Reading List curated by Catherine Ricketts, author of The Mother Artist.
Read MoreBecause I’m hosting a Thoughtful Readers Gathering featuring Maggie Smith and her new children’s book, My Thoughts Have Wings, I received and read a digital version this morning via email. After finishing the book, I sat on my sofa and cried. This book made me think of my 21-year-old daughter, my 19-year-old son, my seven-year-old godson, and me and how we all need this book right now. We all have thoughts that keep us up at night because this world is full of many things worthy of our attention and worry.
Read MoreHere’s What You’ll Find:
—One List of Gatherings Happening This Month
—One Note
—What My Gatherings Will Invite You Into
—On Money and Why There Are Plenty of Free Registration Options
—Please Spread the Word
Please join us for an online Christmastide Retreat led by Lauren F. Winner on how Christmas invites us to attend to the natural world.
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 9 a.m.-noon CT
AND
Monday, January 1, 2024 from 3-6 p.m. CT
Each of the three hour-long sessions during this retreat will include 20 or so minutes of teaching and 30 minutes of individual reflection for which optional but fabulous contemplative prompts will be provided.
Thumbnail Image: Winter by Ivan Generalic, 1975
Read MoreIf you’re a thoughtful reader who appreciates meaningful encounters, I have some really good news.
I have just launched the Thoughtful Readers Gatherings™, a new series of author conversations to connect my growing audience of thoughtful readers and writers with good books and nourishing conversations. The format and unique approach to pre-order perks focuses on:
Helping featured authors sell books and connect with thoughtful readers
Offering my audience of readers and writers opportunities to have meaningful encounters with good books written by lovely people
Supporting all of the good parts of publishing and book retails industries
Most people struggle with loneliness. Most people struggle with loneliness during anytime of the year, but the holidays can he extra difficult for various reasons.
The 40 suggestions below might help you feel less alone during the holidays (or anytime!). I’ve done the research. I’ve seen the results. They really can help. I can’t promise your loneliness will disappear because I don’t think it will. Loneliness comes and goes. It swells and shrinks.
If you want help making a plan to broaden your belongings and reduce your loneliness, let’s set up a One-on-One Spiritual Direction for Belonging™ Session. We’ll strategize. We’ll make a plan that’s unique to your circumstances and needs. We’ll help you move closer to the belonging you desire. Email me at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to begin the conversation.
Read MoreJordan with Village Apothecary Co. loved the idea and was thrilled to bring this vision to life in a scented candle sort of way. She was a bit worried about it being too sweet. I was, too. I hate when things are too sweet. I'm happy to announce she found the perfect balance between the apple, mulling spices (heavy on the clove!), cypress, and pine.
Read MoreIt’s all just so much.
Read MoreSome good things have happened this week! Here’s a video and transcript with a few highlights from this week with my writing and spiritual direction work.
Read MoreI’m pretty picky about book recommendations and other suggestions I offer to my Spiritual Direction for Writers clients, readers, and social media audience. I’m also a tad freaked out by a lot of influencer-ish things I see on social media. But I really do love Magic Mind and want others to know about this option.
Read MoreIn the face of oppression and injustice and violence, I refuse to pretend everything is okay. I’m not going to watch any fireworks on July 4th because it doesn’t feel good and true to me to do so right now. But I’m still going to celebrate things worthy of celebration with people I love anyway.
Read MoreRight now I’m excited to officially file for trademark registration to protect my ideas and work. It will take nine months to a year to complete the full process, but I have trademark protection for Parenting with Art™️, Parenting with Art & Faith™️, Spiritual Direction for Writers™️, and Spiritual Direction for Christian Writers™️.
Read MoreMondays can be hard, so let’s talk about the art that helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Here’s some art that’s been deepening my belongings the past few weeks.
Read MoreI ordered a small cup of brewed coffee with a lot of cream. Then I sat down and read about a stranger’s grief over her father’s death that holds many similarities to my grief over my father’s death.
Read More