Category Archives: religion

Grace in a Box

Posted on October 30, 2016 by bonnevivantelife

I do not go to church often because I don’t seem to find God there. I find Him at the beach, I think we are kindred spirits. I also find him at Holy Cross Abbey during silent monsatic retreats. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

On Peace and Forgiveness

Posted on December 23, 2014 by bonnevivantelife

This holiday season we greet strangers with softness and compassion, “Happy holidays!” we say. “May your holiday season be filled with love, happiness, and peace!” we bestow upon friends and family. Love, we know what loves is. We know how … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Relationships, religion, spirituality | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Make a Joyful Noise

Posted on December 16, 2014 by bonnevivantelife

I believe God has a sense of humor. Sometimes I think He thinks He’s funny and I respectfully disagree. This happens when one too many things go wrong at once, or when I’m faced with one too many ironies. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The Confessional of a Sinner

Posted on November 4, 2014 by bonnevivantelife

Here is my confession: Through my life, in the different iterations of me–the wilder one, the irresponsible one, the uptight one, the good girl one, the anxious one, the depressed one; in each of these phases of my life, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Relationships, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

God, Vivienne & Lightning Bugs

Posted on July 6, 2014 by bonnevivantelife

Oh, the difference a season makes. The last time I went on a silent monastic retreat, it was the winter of this year. A snow storm was heading in as I drove away from the quiet solitude at the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

God Comes to You

Posted on March 3, 2014 by bonnevivantelife

Silence. Monks. Two words that don’t automatically come to mind when you think of me. Safe to say I’ve never been known to be religious, or quiet. At the end of my three-day silent monastic retreat, Father Vincent said to … Continue reading →

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Vigils and Lauds And Complines, Oh My!

Posted on March 2, 2014 by bonnevivantelife

I just spent three days with Trappist monks on a silent, self-guided monastic retreat. It’s taken about 15 years for the stars to align for me to finally experience one of these. I’m grateful it’s taken so long–I realized a … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Members Only

Posted on December 25, 2013 by bonnevivantelife

We spend the Christmas holiday with my immediate family every year. I took the kids to Christmas Eve mass at my parents’ parish this year. En route, my son asked, “Are we members there?” I told him no, his grandparents … Continue reading →

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Are You There God? It’s Me…

Posted on November 23, 2013 by bonnevivantelife

I went to church today. I know, normal people wouldn’t make that kind of proclamation, well, at all. Because it’s part of many people’s lives. I am, however, a wretched soul who has always been ambivalent about spirituality, faith, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

All We Need

Posted on November 3, 2013 by bonnevivantelife

“Faith, Family and Friends. That’s all you need in life. No wait, Love and Kindness too. That’s all you need in life,” declared my 7-year-old daughter. “What?!” I ask. We were out shopping for a frame to display her school … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, Parenting, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments