à la carte spirit by ilona fried
Authenticity
2013 Blog Highlights
On the first of January I wrote: What Will You Say No to in 2013? Fast forward to last week, when I revisited that post. That’s when it dawned on me that, as this year comes to a close, I’ve also been writing about saying Yes! That trajectory was not planned, nor did I know … Continue reading
Facing Stage Fright at Story Slam Boulder
“The whole world is a narrow bridge, and the essence is not to be afraid” – Rebbe Nachman of Breslav In mid-December I attended Story Slam Boulder, an open microphone event. Audience members could put their name in a hat to share a personal tale by heart, on stage. The evening’s theme? “Naughty or Nice”. … Continue reading
I Love “You”, I Hate “U”
When I first heard about texting, I shuddered. I didn’t understand the appeal of shooting short messages via cell phone when one could use that same device to speak to a human. Why send an electronic burp when one could compose a more thoughtful and thorough e-mail? But consideration takes time, and in a culture … Continue reading
Goodbye, Gluttony! Dispatch from a Contemplative Thanksgiving
Despite my excitement at attending a contemplative, potluck Thanksgiving, anxiety hijacked my high spirits on Thursday as I loaded two pans of roasted vegetables and my folding meditation bench into my Subaru. In addition to garden variety worries about whether I’d enjoy the other people, I feared that the intention for a mindful gathering could … Continue reading
Authority vs. Authenticity
I recently enrolled in a workshop called “Claim Your Voice.” As an introvert, my tendency towards formulating a response and finding accurate words sometimes trump instantaneous communication. Fast-moving conversations often drown out my voice, or people misinterpret my pause as meaning that I have nothing to say, so I am overlooked. By the time I’ve … Continue reading
à la carte spirit by ilona fried 
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