Spiritual Direction in Daily Life
“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its unfolding.”
- John O’Donohue
Welcome to Emerging Words
Welcome to a place to listen to your life, where words, quotes, and questions are explored for the guidance they carry. Especially in times of change. This site embraces journaling as a way to glean insight, direction and perspective.
It is a place devoted to the power of words and to the “surprise” of the unfolding we all face in our lives, some times more palpably than others. What helps in times of deep change? What guides? What is also trying to get our attention?
Emerging Words, with short essays, various writing practices, and selected resources you can use anytime… is an invitation to receive and respond to the ongoing invitation that is you. Learn how to use this site.
Resources for the Journey
“Somewhere in a day, something common will blaze out, a face, a word, a dream, a smell, a glass on the table, a tree in the yard, and when it does you are lifted out of "this or that" and you remember primordial rumors from dim times. These nudges link regular days to Deeptime, to the outlines of a Greater Story. Be there when it happens.”
- Marv and Nancy Hiles, All the Days of My Life
This quote, from a book written by dear friends and contemplative teachers, captures the essence of my hopes for this website. That it might be a place for you to find the random word... or journaling prompt... or quote... that creates both space and solace; inspiration and future action. That it reminds us, as this quote does, that at any given moment, maybe especially during hard moments, "something common will blaze out."
How to "be there when it happens"? That is different for everyone. But think of this site as a pause, a place to come to amidst the speed of life. It will be an evolving blend of words that are reminding me of what is too important to forget; of other writers' work that is particularly salvific these days; of journaling handouts to use any time; and of ways for you to hold onto the thread of your own unfolding.
This link takes you to the Blog. This one takes you to the Resources page.
Meet Nina H. Frost
I am a vocational counselor, spiritual director and workshop leader now based in northern Virginia. For years I worked with mid-career people wanting to explore other fields and have a better sense of their gifts. In my work in Adult Education at Marble Collegiate Church and other churches, I presented a variety of workshops on topics I felt were at the heart of the spiritual life: "Navigating Wilderness Times," "The Seasons of Change," "Listening for Your Call," and many others. In spiritual direction, I sat with individuals discerning their changing calls amidst transition and change. Now I want to bring many of the fruits of these years to the pages of this website.
Learn more about Nina.