Gaia: Connect. Grow. Inspire. Empower.

What is your relationship to independence?

Posted on Jul 6th, 2009 by Laura

Paradoxical. Historically it's been a real challenge for me to live with another person, at least in the past five or so years. It seems to be part of my nature to need solitude almost... More »

shards of clay

Posted on May 12th, 2009 by Laura

The Ladder Rabbi Moshe (of Kobryn) taught: It is written: "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth." That "he" is every man. Every man must know: I am clay. I... More »

liberty, tenedor, sandalwood

Posted on Mar 28th, 2009 by Laura

Before Saying Any of the Great Words We already know: first we must agree on which they are; but let us acknowledge that they exist: they resound in all their weight and gravity down Nevsky... More »

a gratitude list

Posted on Jan 23rd, 2009 by Laura

  I always say I'm going to write gratitude lists. Sometimes I do, but not that often. I've never written them every single day. The days when I do take the time to write them,... More »

the trembling mercury of a scattered question

Posted on Oct 24th, 2008 by Laura

I found this poem on the Gratefulness website's poetry page. The photograph is of Talking Rock Creek. Vigils: The Night Watch Dazzling, even under glass, the sky's blue plate special shimmers up from the creek... More »

a Burning Man story

Posted on Oct 18th, 2008 by Laura

The Opening--a Prayer for Peace

Posted on Oct 11th, 2008 by Laura

Whatever the Universe does, small or large, through any being or communion of beings, which helps further its purpose, this act celebrates the Source of our unfolding story. The essence of all praiseworthy qualities constantly... More »

Softening

Posted on Oct 9th, 2008 by Laura

Sometimes I go through periods of time where one word comes back to me over and over, often unbidden and other times invoked. Recently it’s been the word ‘softening.’ It’s a mantra of sorts. I... More »

berry vision

Posted on Oct 4th, 2008 by Laura

Raspberry Picking My son and I found them halfway up the abandoned road, dangerously juicy. We eased the berries gently from their white posts and thumped them into the bowl in his lap, and fingered... More »

What did you believe as a child?

Posted on Sep 6th, 2008 by Laura

I believed that everything was sentient: the sky, the stars, the earth, the puffballs I found in the woods under dry leaves, crickets in corners with their creaky hinged legs, fallen leaves I found and... More »