Category Archives: Relationships

A Box Full of Darkness

Posted on January 18, 2019 by bonnevivantelife

“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” -Mary Oliver, The Uses of Sorrow Mary Oliver, a poet who once said poetry mustn’t be fancy, … Continue reading →

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Where are you from?

Posted on August 27, 2018 by bonnevivantelife

“North Jersey, right outside of NYC,” I’d always reply. I know what people mean when they ask me. Inevitably, they always follow up with “No, I mean where are you REALLY from?” At which point I’d say, “Oh, right. I … Continue reading →

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Be Your Hero

Posted on February 3, 2018 by bonnevivantelife

When people think of relationships in February, they usually think about intimate relationships–their spouse, significant other, ex-lover. Too often, people don’t examine the relationship you have with yourself. It’s precisely this relationship you have with yourself that dictates and frames … Continue reading →

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When Your Heart Breaks Open

Posted on December 22, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

I tell you this to break your heart, by which I mean only that it break open and never close again to the rest of the world. -Mary Oliver There was a moment recently whereupon my heart broke wide open. … Continue reading →

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Grace in the Face of Betrayal

Posted on December 20, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

We’ve all felt betrayed or duped by people. We’ve all been hurt by people. We’ve all been disappointed by people we believed in, by people we trusted, by people we cared about. I’ve believed in people I should not have. … Continue reading →

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Grace: Always the Next Right Thing

Posted on November 27, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

I’m processing the end of a relationship, and some moments are better than others. It didn’t work out, but he’s a kind, gentle soul full of grace. That’s what attracted me to him the most. Just because it didn’t work … Continue reading →

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Gratitude for When Darkness Falls

Posted on November 25, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

I lay here listening to the world wake up slowly. Cars start driving down the road on the way to work. Footsteps shuffle to the bathroom. I can almost hear the black of night turn to grey as light slowly … Continue reading →

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Harvey and a Clockmaker

Posted on August 30, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

  My paternal grandmother died almost 15 years ago. I accompanied my father back down to Texas to gather her belongings, bury her, and settle her estate. I was born there, but had not been back since I was a … Continue reading →

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The Natural Order of Things

Posted on July 18, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

I tell myself this is the natural order of things. This is the way it should be. Knowing this doesn’t make it any easier. Your brain understands this. Your heart protests. You’re born into this world with unshakable tenets. Such … Continue reading →

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Grace in a Tree

Posted on January 4, 2017 by bonnevivantelife

Turns out that you can invite grace into your life, into your home, but grace doesn’t automatically make your life or home calmer or better or more joyful. Continue reading →

Posted in Dating, Empowerment, Meditation, Mindfulness, Relationships | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment