by Deborah Svec-Carstens | Dec 6, 2023 | Blog
In October, I attended a writing retreat in Taos, New Mexico. It was a transformative week with Jennifer Louden and a circle of amazing women writers. I unplugged from the world (and I recognize and acknowledge my privilege in being able to do that in the current...
by Deborah Svec-Carstens | Aug 27, 2023 | Blog
I’ve seen the Barbie movie twice. (Don’t worry, no major spoilers ahead.) Like most women, my history with Barbie is complicated. Yes, my younger sisters and I had a drawer-full of Barbies and Barbie clothes—and a few stray heads and arms. We probably had a Ken,...
by Deborah Svec-Carstens | May 24, 2023 | Blog
Growing Up with Judy Blume Judy Blume is having a renaissance moment with the release of the documentary Judy Blume Forever, and the movie adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. (I highly recommend watching both, especially if you’re a Judy Blume fan.)...
by Deborah Svec-Carstens | May 8, 2022 | Blog
Recently, I was asked to share with my faith community. “The sky is the limit,” the pastor said. Here is what came. (Inspired by the first chapter of Rachel Held Evans’ book Wholehearted Faith.) On the days when I believe, I stop in amazement to watch the...
by Deborah Svec-Carstens | Feb 15, 2021 | Blog
In January 2020, I joined the Ten Percent Happier New Year’s Challenge. The challenge was to meditate 15 out of 21 days. Each day there was a short video lesson followed by a ten-minute guided meditation. A year later, and I’m still meditating. In...
by Deborah Svec-Carstens | Dec 31, 2020 | Blog
“Always, we begin again.” As we cross the threshold from 2020 to 2021, I’m reminded of these words from the Rule of St. Benedict. There is much to leave behind as we enter into the New Year. Grief, sorrow, heartache, anger, frustration, isolation, and more. No...
