I came across a great quote in Seth Godin’s The Icarus Deception this morning. It is from the author George Orwell. He writes: “After the age of about thirty they abandon individual ambition–in many cases, indeed, they almost abandon the sense of being individuals at all–and live chiefly for others, or are simply smothered under…
The Essential WordPress Plugin Checklist
This website (jareddees.com) is the tenth website I’ve set up using WordPress.org. One of the most powerful advantage that WordPress has over other Content Management Systems is the gigantic library of plugins for your website. Since WordPress is Open Source, many developers have created free plugins to help out their fellow website developers and novice…
Fighting the Fear of Our Calling
Saint Augustine of Hippo is one of the most well known saints and possibly the most prolific spiritual writer in the history of Christianity. The funny thing is, he almost chose a very different path. After St. Augustine’s conversion to Christianity, he felt drawn to the contemplative life. He wanted to follow the example of…
The Holy Calling of an Unholy Career
When we search deep inside of ourselves to understand what makes us come alive, what do we find? The answer doesn’t have to be holy in a conventional sense. In other words, it’s ok if analyzing statistics makes us come alive. It’s ok if we love painting the living room walls even if we’ve already…
How to Pray the Examen
There are many different approaches to praying the examen. St. Ignatius described his approach in the Spiritual Exercises and other spiritual directors have developed their own approaches and forms of presenting the examen in their work. Still others add their own personal or unique elements to praying the examen. Below, I humbly offer my own approach…