So many of the messages we receive about being successful or worthy (or even just competent) imply that we should be able to take care of ourselves. That we should … Continue reading Bonus Track: Mutual Mothering

By the time this Bonus Track is getting published, I’ll be fully across the threshold into sabbatical time. I’m probably thinking about that one thing I meant to take care … Continue reading Bonus Track: Moths

As we’ve considered Inanna’s descent into the Underworld and how she had to surrender something at each gate along the way, a thought has occurred to me. Inanna was well … Continue reading Bonus Track: Garments and Accoutrements

I won’t say too much about Inanna’s descent this week, because I want to make sure you have all the details you need about my upcoming sabbatical. Most of this … Continue reading Bonus Track: Sabbatical Thresholds

A necklace is a curious symbol. It could represent connection. It also could symbolize one’s voice being bound up. Restrained. At the third gate, Inanna gives up her double strand … Continue reading Bonus Track: Voices and How We Use Them

At the second gate on her journey to the Underworld to reconnect with her sister Ereshkigal, Inanna is forced to surrender her staff. Some would call it a measuring rod. … Continue reading Bonus Track: Measuring Up

To pass through the first gate Inanna encounters in her descent to the underworld, she must give up her crown. There are lots of mythologies around descent and ascent. The … Continue reading Bonus Track: Being Seen

I’ve mentioned a few times that my plans for sabbatical are influenced by the Mesopotamian story of Inanna, one of the oldest recorded bits of human mythology. Maybe there is … Continue reading Bonus Track: The Characters in Our Stories

On Sunday, we explored different places in our lives that guiding principles might emerge. For instance, we said that some of our guiding principles might directly address a lie we’ve … Continue reading Bonus Track: Guiding Principles and Challenging Conversations

It’s been said that No is a one-word boundary. This is true. We don’t owe other people an explanation or rationale for our boundaries. Our boundaries are enough by themselves … Continue reading Bonus Track: No