“Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.” – Fortune cookie, 2017

 I ran for elective office in Vermont in November and won. Lots of energized women across this country stepped into the political ring, part of a so-called “pink wave.”

For anyone who knows me well, the decision to seek elective office was largely unanticipated. I was halfway through an interfaith seminary program and this was hardly the type of “service” I envisioned.

This happy introvert (skilled at extroverted endeavors) dreamed of a writer’s life rather than a final career housed in the public sphere.

I was fortunate to be able to participate in Whole Heart’s Courage Earth retreat on Hurricane Island (in Maine’s Penobscot Bay) in late July. The timing could not have been better for me. I had just lost my mother and I needed ways to reflect upon this experience, through words and creative expression in photography, painting and poetry.  Here I share some of the experiences that taking time to listen, grieve and express has surfaced:

When somebody first asked me if I wanted to attend a Leadership Exchange, I said I didn’t consider myself a leader - despite feeling compelled to be there. I was given gentle encouragement to follow my heart and to be open to whatever I might learn from the conversations and personal refection that day.  I finally decided to give it a shot.  

On the cusp of fall, circles of community gathered at the Richmond Free Library in Richmond Vermont for a WholeHeart Friend & Fund Raiser Concert and day long retreat. Sara Thomsen and Paula Pederson came all the way from the Lake Superior Region to invite reflection and inspiration through song, voice, and naming what we stand for.

Tara Reynolds shares her reflections about her new role as Program & Development Director at WholeHeart, about her recent stay at the Green Mountain Monastery, and about how 'walking the talk' is of upmost importance.

On June 30th, 40 "Couragers" (people who have been a part of Courage & Renewal Circles of Trust) celebrated 18 years of Courage work in Vermont.  We reflected, connected and rekindled our own and our collective courage. The day was spent in retreat and the evening was spent in celebration ~ bringing together the heart of this work: deep listening and connecting in community.