Congratulations! God stepped down and appointed you his/her/its successor. You’re omnipotent and omniscient as far as the earth and its inhabitants are concerned. What would you change in the world? What would you keep the same?

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While I was standing naked in the shower this morning (note: the author cannot be held liable for detrimental psychological effects of the mental images evoked by his blogging), it occurred to me that I was barely aware that I was showering. My body was going through the motions of shampooing, soaping, and shaving, […]

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I was reading a reimagining of a classic tale and wondered how it would change the meaning and cultural significance of it if some of the genders were switched.
So here’s this week’s challenge: take a well-known myth, parable, fable, or story and change the gender of a main character, a favorite character, or all the […]

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I had an eventful day today: I was interviewed by a reporter for Bust magazine, received the book Godless for God’s Sake: Nontheism in Contemporary Quakerism, and went to a potluck with my Mormon friends and laughed until my smile muscles hurt.
I found out that Elaine Pagels is speaking at nearby Chapman University a week […]

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There are 192 member countries in the United Nations. You have ten minutes. Name as many of them as you can. Spelling counts.
I was able to get 123 of them. After years of staring at maps, studying for the foreign service exam, and getting a degree in comparative politics–finally, payback!
It’s interesting to […]

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As in stepping and hopping, not as in missing something.¬† Though if you try this experiment, you may find that you’ve been missing something.
It doesn’t matter where you do it (e.g. in public or private), but skip for a minute or so.¬† Do you feel self-conscious? Giddy? Do you even remember how?¬† If skipping isn’t […]

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It’s not just any Wednesday today–it’s Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent (but not the beginning of the Great Lent of the Eastern Orthodox). This Ash Wednesday Challenge will piggyback on a spiritual practice that hundreds of millions around the world are participating in today.

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I sometimes engage in mantra meditation or rote prayer. I pick a set prayer, poem, or scripture from a religious tradition, and recite it, out loud or quietly, seated or walking, over and over. One of my absolute favorites is this Buddhist prayer:
May I become at all times,
Both now and forever
A protector for […]

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I want to thank everyone who took last week’s Wednesday Challenge and committed to doing something outside of your comfort zone. I hope to report on my projects when they come to fruition, but I was able to take the scary first steps. And whenever you feel hesitant to do something uncomfortable, just […]

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Today, or some time this week, do one little thing that’s outside of your comfort zone.¬† Then return and report.

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