Stay in the Loop + Five Good Things No. 67
Need some arrtful nourishment? Stay in the Loop and receive lots of good things here. Right now. Promise.
Read MoreThe Power of Picture Books and Children's Literature for People of All Ages
Because 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 MoreOn Money, Work, and Privilege + New Pricing Structure for Thoughtful Readers Gatherings
Launching the Thoughtful Readers Gatherings has been a journey regarding money and work and what to charge people and what to give away and I’ve pretty much landed on accepting that my expenses will always be greater than my income. I have grown so weary of trying to figure out ways to break even or convince more people my work can benefit them. I’d just rather operate at a loss, do the writing and work I love, and have more time and energy for the writing and work I love. I’d rather be inefficient.
And now I’ve decided that the paid option for the Thoughtful Readers Gatherings will just be the cost of the featured book plus tax. For those who paid $45 for a Thoughtful Readers Gathering (or two or three), I’ll be in touch to give you a partial refund. I appreciate your support and your desire to pay me for my work. It may take me a few days to contact everyone and to make all of the updates online for future Thoughtful Readers Gatherings. Please contact me if you have any questions in the meantime. Onward.
Read MoreJanuary Gatherings from Spiritual Direction for Writers® and Thoughtful Books Etc.™
Here’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
A Christmastide Retreat with Lauren F. Winner: How Christmas Invites Us to Attend to the Natural World
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 MoreThoughtful Readers Gatherings
If 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
When You Choose to Cancel This Time
I hesitate to be honest about my current reality because the last time I was honest about navigating business struggles a former spiritual direction client emailed me and said she prayed about it and wants nothing to do with me moving forward.
But here it is:
Read MoreForty Ways to Feel Less Lonely During the Holidays (or Any Time)
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 MoreOur New Advent Candle Is Available for Pre-Order
Jordan 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 MoreHow Is Art Helping You Inhabit This World?
It’s all just so much.
Read MoreWriting and Spiritual Direction Weekly Highlights: October 12, 2023
Some 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 MoreMagic Mind
I’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 MoreI Refuse to Celebrate Illusions of Freedom
In 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 MoreSpiritual Direction for Writers™ and Parenting with Art™
Right 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 MoreArt That Helps You Belong
Mondays 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 MoreOn Making Room for Grief to Interrupt
I 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 MoreA Memory from September 2020 and My Continued Hope
Many things have changed over the past year, but this hope and prayer continue.
Read MoreAn Update from Charlotte on Writing, Spiritual Direction for Writers, and Art and Faith No. 2
Notes on some of what I’m reading, writing, and working on and an opportunity to do a bit of reflection and think about what’s coming up in the near future.
Read MoreVideo Series: Behind the Scenes with The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other (Chapter Fourteen)
Charlotte Donlon goes behind the scenes and provides additional information about Chapter Fourteen of her first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other.
Read MoreVideo Series: Behind the Scenes with The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other (Chapter Thirteen)
Charlotte Donlon goes behind the scenes and provides additional information about Chapter Thirteen of her first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other.
Read More