Archives of Inspiration

from the editor Fall 2024: Body

Our bodies are vessels that are very good. They mediate our experiences with the world and are truly awe-inspiring in what they can do — so nuanced, so detailed, so intentionally relational. But too often, this wonder and awe isn’t what women experience in relation to our bodies, and especially in regards to the most […]

Making Peace With a Middle-Aged Body

By Sarah Geringer This summer, I’ve rediscovered a joy from my childhood: swimming. My children bought me an above-ground pool for Mother’s Day. I knew I would like it, but I didn’t realize how much delight it would bring me. I have also been surprised by how it has helped me make peace with my […]

Our Relationship to Our Bodies: Janet L. Cannon

By Janet L. Cannon Yoga is a wonderful way to become more physically and mentally aware of what my body needs. Learning to push my boundaries while accepting my limitations is a concept I use with all of my clients and in all of my classes. It’s also a concept we can use in daily […]

Our Relationship to Our Bodies: Jowairia Khalid

By Jowairia Khalid In Islam, we’re taught to prioritize our physical and mental health, and both go hand-in-hand. Islam means peace, so peace within the world, our relationships, but also within ourselves. We believe our bodies are a gift from God, and to take care of them is a form of worship. Ensuring I nourish […]

Our Relationship to Our Bodies: Nyla Vance and Nova Brown

Nyla Vance (Right) flourish: What is your favorite thing about yourself? Nyla Vance: My brain. What do you like about it? I like how — I don’t know. I don’t like Earth, I only like God.  What is your favorite thing about your sister? When she plays with me.  What is beautiful about your sister? […]

Our Relationship to Our Bodies: Kanaan Rhodes

By Kanaan Rhodes For me, tattoos enhance my perception of my appearance. I got my first tattoo when I was 18 years old. It was a simple design, but it started a lifelong journey to decorate my body — now, I have more than 50. The feeling of empowerment that comes from getting a new […]

Our Relationship to Our Bodies: Susan Winkler

I have a love-hate relationship with my body. Because I hate being disabled. But on the other hand, there’s always a worse-case scenario, someone that’s worse than I am. And sometimes, mentally, it affects me, even after 20 years, but I have ups and downs with life, like anyone does. But I’m thankful that I […]

From the Editor Summer 2024: Wonder

I think we can get used to it, being alive. We go through our day-to-day and hardly notice it, the smell of the coffee as we pour water over ground-up beans, the touching of our feet to concrete, to grass, to floor, the singing of the bird in the tree while we taste the sweet […]

from the editor: Spring 2024, “open”

In the first draft of this letter to open our issue on the theme of “open,” I wrote an anecdote about the students I taught in Greece who used the phrase “Open the lights” or “Close the lights” when they meant “Turn on the lights” or “Turn off the lights” in English. Their phrasing always […]