We are living in an age of disconnection. Our earlier ancestors lived more connected – to the land, to each other, to themselves, to the Divine. But as we have “evolved,” it seems we’ve become less connected rather than more. It seems the “evolution” of humans has actually been the strengthening of the parts of us that are human-focused and disconnected from the Divine. Especially in Western Culture and I’d say particularly in the US, the push has been to produce, produce, produce. Faster, Faster, Faster. More, More, More. And in the process, what we are experiencing is massive disconnection from ourselves, our truth, our inherent connection and the desire of our souls to live connected.

What do you imagine when you hear the term “minister” or “reverend?” Does a specific person come to mind? An outfit? An experience? I’m actually curious so please share if you’d like.

Every time I tell someone I’m a minister, I feel the need to quickly explain. The title “minister” comes with a lot of preconceived notions… I believe the term “minister” often calls to mind a leader in a christian denomination of some sort, and that person is likely acting within a church of some sort. While that might sit well for some who have had positive experiences with ministers, it can also bring up ideas and feelings of dogma and religious authority that can be triggering for others.

Do you feel at all internally connected to the changing of the seasons? I know it’s back to school/work time: there is a feeling of getting back into the swing of things, back to a routine, “back at it.” But maybe there is more to it…

Our ancestors, especially those that lived in indigenous cultures or any earth-based traditions such as Pagan, Wiccan and Druidic traditions, all lived in deep connection with the earth including her cyclical nature. As we have culturally leaned more into capitalism, individualism and technology, we have lost our awareness and connection to our innate cyclical nature.

Have you ever had a moment where something stops you in your tracks? A moment where your focus gets narrowed in and yet at the same time completely expanded: whatever you were thinking about is no longer in your mind, you may even literally stop moving, and you become entranced by beauty, wonder, awe, or feeling spiritually connected somehow? I had never heard of or thought of a term for these moments that I experience, but then one came to me recently: “Magical More”

Here's the basic explanation of what I’m thinking in these moments: “how could it be possible that this exists in this world and there is NOT something more magical going on than what we know??”

One of the most important components of the work I do with couples leading up to their wedding is guiding them in a process of writing their relationship commitments, which we typically call “vows.” I see these commitments as an opportunity to really reflect on and solidify what matters to them – what they are truly committing to as a couple. And I always recommend that couples look at these commitments as something they can have as a foundation for their relationship and something that they can come back to anytime to check in on how they’re doing (I even have sessions with some couples around their one-year anniversary to check back in on how they’re doing).

As I continue to dance with what it means for me to be a minister in practice, I had a massive epiphany recently… I want to be more of a traditional minister than I realized.

At the same time, I’m not a traditional minister at all!

I share this epiphany and how I’m traditional and non-traditional in my first ever video!