One week ago, I was a bundle of nerves. I was preparing for my trip to Discovery Yoga in St. Augustine, FL for a 5-week class on teaching yoga, and I was paralyzed by my anxiety. What should I pack? Do I need another pair of shoes? What if I can’t keep up with theContinue reading “How to Prepare for Yoga Teacher Training”
Author Archives: Kara Joy Stewart
It’s not you – it’s me.
I meditate with a 9-year-old boy in the room. Seriously. It may sound crazy, but it’s for real. Before I was a mom, I had a fairly regular prayer and devotion practice. I went to great lengths to create a special corner in my home that would be peaceful and supportive of my practice. IContinue reading “It’s not you – it’s me.”
(re)discovering the power of gratitude
I am the Queen of Avoidance. It always starts out as a reasonable time-management strategy: I can’t give my full attention to this big issue/new development/major project, so I decide to set it aside until I can concentrate. And so begins the game I play. The rest of my day is so busy that I can’tContinue reading “(re)discovering the power of gratitude”
when plans go awry
These regrets are going to drown me, swirling around me like they are. If only I could rid myself of the If Onlys today could be – finally – just about today. But Yesterday is my closest friend, and Last Year my next door neighbor. Those anguished, second-guessing glances keep me twisted, looking over my shoulder makingContinue reading “when plans go awry”
to the anonymous bully
I’m thinking of you today, anonymous bully. You’ve hurt people I love, the young people I’m called to support and encourage as they grow and develop and mature into the amazing adults they’re called to be. You’ve posted things online that aren’t true, or maybe are true, but are hurtful, things you would never haveContinue reading “to the anonymous bully”
“Therefore encourage one another. . .”
I never got around to framing the photos from my ordination. I had grand intentions of making enlargements of the photos of me with my home pastor, the laying on of hands, and the huge group of pastors who were present. But life got busy after that exciting day and there never seemed to beContinue reading ““Therefore encourage one another. . .””
slacker
I was determined to have a real workout. I was out of town for a meeting and my travel schedule was interrupting my training schedule. In order to stay on track and be prepared for my half marathon that was 2 months away, I knew I needed to go for a run. And it couldn’tContinue reading “slacker”
lifted up
Binge-watching is evil. There may be a scientific, physical explanation for why I can’t stop watching episode after episode, but it mostly feels like I have an emotional disorder. I cannot walk away from a TV series after a cliffhanger or a new plot twist has piqued my interest for just one more episode. And so IContinue reading “lifted up”
living day – to – day
I don’t know about where you are, but around here, we’re all exhausted. It’s the end of the first week of classes at TLU, and everyone is frazzled. This makes me happy. Why? Because I don’t feel so bad about being frazzled myself. Everything is new for me – the names of the buildings, theContinue reading “living day – to – day”
finding home
Yesterday was my opportunity to introduce myself to the faculty and staff of Texas Lutheran University. As the Campus Pastor, it was my responsibility and privilege to offer an opening devotion at the annual State of the University gathering at which the President and other cabinet members speak about the health and growth and stabilityContinue reading “finding home”
Coming Up for Air 