Listening To God: The Value Of Silence In The Spiritual Life

January 18, 2012

In today’s increasingly plugged-in world, true silence is a hard-earned commodity. In this Notes from a Monastery booklet from Abbey Press/One Caring Place, Fr. Michael Casey looks at St. Benedict’s stringent rules of silence, and shows us how we can adopt this value for our own modern lives. By embracing silence, we speak more thoughtfully, listen more attentively, and pray more meaningfully.

Listening To God: The Value Of Silence In The Spiritual Life by Fr. Michael Casey, O.C.S.O.

Have you ever looked around at your fellow passengers as a newly landed plane begins to taxi toward the terminal? Many of them are reaching for their cell phones. When the screen lights up, so do their faces in anticipation. If there are messages for them, all is well; if not, they snap the phone shut and dolefully return it to its place.

We live in a world in which communication is highly valued, and its absence seems like an indicator of our little worth. It is as though the various means of communication are elements in our life-support system. Unless we remain connected to them we cease to exist. The content of the communication seems to matter less than the fact that somebody out there acknowledges our existence and wishes to make contact with us.

Granted the importance of communication and the anxiety we experience in its absence, why does St. Benedict regard silence as such an important element in leading a serious spiritual life?

Sins of the tongue. In his usual blunt way Benedict reminds us, first of all, that “in much speaking you will not avoid sinning” (Proverbs 10:19). It is a common observation that religious people express their resistance to God and their detachment from their neighbor less by overt actions than by thoughts and in their conversation. It is almost as though the evil within them, that they are trying to suppress by being good, somehow escapes despite their best efforts. Saint James devotes the third chapter of his Epistle to this theme and concludes that those who have reached the point of being able to control their tongues are already perfect (James 3:2).

The effort to monitor our speech is a good indication that we are serious about the spiritual life and that we have begun to live by some form of personal discipline. A refusal to be complicit in gossip, detraction, and slander is likely to change for the better the quality of our interaction with others and improve our peace of heart.

The laborious struggle to hold our tongue may also lead us in the direction of useful self-scrutiny. Why do we feel the need to talk so much? Why is it so hard to stop bad-mouthing others? Why are we so lacking in empathy that we are constantly harping on deficiencies?

If we sin often by speaking, then we will sin less often by speaking less.

Absence of noise. Monasteries are typically built in areas that are somewhat remote from the bustle of city life. Within the monastic environment, there is a conscious effort to do things with a minimum of noise. People visiting a monastery are often surprised by the quiet: they can hear the birds singing or the rustle of the trees in the wind.

Some are delighted, but others are disoriented, so accustomed are they to a constant background of noise: traffic, machinery, television, conversation.

Silence invites us to give less attention to the external world and to become more aware of the inner world, the world of spirit. We are able to hear the voice of conscience, and we become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s interior guidance. Prayer comes more easily because we are less distracted by extraneous sounds. This is why silence is a favored element of a prayerful retreat.

Silence can also be uncomfortable and even frightening. Because of this, we like to surround ourselves with familiar sounds. When we are quiet and still, the inner voices that are kept at bay by noise and activity begin to speak, and what they have to say to us is not always welcome.

Sometimes we discover within ourselves tendencies and desires that run contrary to the chosen direction of our life. In the same way, silence reveals to us what has yet to be done if our spiritual life is to be real. A recent reality TV program exploring this dimension provided this observation: “What’s happening in the silence is that stuff is coming up that I normally don’t give attention to, and I can get ambushed.”

The ancient monks went out into the desert to engage in spiritual warfare. Their experience was that where there is no distraction, it is impossible to avoid or postpone the inevitable clash with the negative elements in our own nature and history. Without a good measure of silence we will be merely skimming the surface of the spiritual life—doing good deeds and practicing the virtues—without ever scrutinizing the motives and intentions that inspire them. And, from time to time, we will be shocked when we behave in a way that is inconsistent with our ideals. We will be puzzled why this should be so.

A quiet and unexciting ambience is a valuable adjunct to our efforts to live spiritually. And if we cannot live thus always, there is an advantage in regularly seeking to withdraw from the noise and bustle of ordinary life into a zone of silence in which we can add depth to the spiritual pursuit.

To live sociably among others, it is necessary sometimes to be solitary. To engage fruitfully in conversation, it is necessary to develop the art of sometimes remaining silent.

Restraint of speech. Saint Benedict uses two different Latin words which are both often translated as “silence.” One is silentium, in which the emphasis is on an absence of noise. The other is taciturnitas, which properly means restraint of speech or taciturnity.

In his Rule, Benedict is quite severe in asking his disciples to curb their speech: “Because of the seriousness of silence, permission to speak should be given rarely to advanced disciples even for good and holy words of edification.” Benedict wants his monks to speak sparingly and to listen willingly, to fill their waking hours with the praise of God, purposeful work, assiduous reading and prayerful rumination. He puts in place rules of silence to restrict speech to specific times and places, so as to make possible the enjoyment of solitude even in a large and industrious community.

Small talk, idle chatter, and jokes he bans completely—though we may be allowed to wonder how successful this prohibition actually was!

It has to be remembered that St. Benedict lived in an oral/aural culture in which most of his monks would have had an instinctive preference for verbal communication over reading from books. To make provision for substantial and ongoing contact with the beliefs and values of monastic tradition, times for reading and reflection had to be protected. He even designated a couple of senior monks to patrol the monastery during periods of reading to make sure that slackers would not waste their time in meaningless conversation.

Silence is at the service of lectio divina (sacred, prayerful reading) and its kindred activities. Keeping silence for the sake of silence is meaningless. We restrain ourselves from speaking in order to listen. Only when we stop talking can we hear what others are saying.

To devote ourselves assiduously to sacred reading we need a time and space that is conducive to paying attention. Only when we are silent can we pass into deeper reflection: we cannot ponder and talk at the same time. Silence is necessary if we are to be aware of our conscience, of the interior promptings of the Holy Spirit, of the profound stirrings of our own spirits as they are drawn into prayer.

Without some measure of silence nothing much happens in our spiritual lives; we may do good deeds and practice virtue but our contact with the spiritual world will be slight, and our sense of intimacy with God undernourished.

Restraint of speech is an element in personal discipline which enables us to use our time wisely, but it is more than that. It is the means by which we are more receptive to other persons and to God. It is the necessary condition by which the Word of God implants itself in our heart, matures, and bears fruit. Without silence there is no growth in wisdom since, as St. Benedict reminds us, “Wise persons are known for the fewness of their words.”

Quality conversation. When our speech is under discipline it is far more likely to be encouraging and instructive to others, less prone to sowing the seeds of dissension, and more effective as a vehicle for transmitting the wisdom slowly acquired through long experience. Above all, such interior silence that expresses itself through outward attentiveness makes a person a ready listener, able not only to hear what is said but to perceive what is meant and to have some appreciation of the inner state of the one who speaks.

To arrive at such a state requires much self-restraint animated by a sincere concern to listen to others sympathetically. To welcome what others have to say is to offer a rare form of hospitality. Good listening is the most sincere form of kindness and the supreme mark of honor that we can give another.

The other person is not the only beneficiary, as we know from our own experience. If we set ourselves the task of really listening, we will often hear a word that touches us powerfully, whether as a comfort or a challenge. Nothing is more certain than the fact that God speaks to us through human agencies, but in a very subtle way. Unless we listen carefully we may miss the message. When mature Christians engage in mutual listening Christ is present.

Mystical silence. Silence not only provides the environment for prayer, it progressively becomes the content of prayer. Monastic prayer is an attentive and respectful stilling of the voice, the imagination, and the mind in anticipation of the Lord’s presence, slowly revealed. As prayer develops it tends to become less wordy until, at last, it needs only a few words to frame it. Sometimes “there is silence in heaven for half an hour” (Rev. 8:1).

The monastic tradition insists this is a relatively rare experience, especially in the beginning. More often than not the silence experienced in prayer is the simple act of waiting for the body and mind to become still so that God’s voice may be more clearly heard. Then we keep watch for the Lord’s coming. We pray not with many words, as St. Benedict says, but with tears of compunction and heartfelt desire.

Visit www.carenotes.com to order this title and others.

Behind the Design: The Art of Appreciation

January 11, 2012

With January being National Thank You Month, we felt it only appropriate to turn our attention to the art of the Thank You note—especially the actual artwork that adorns two soon-to-be-available card designs. In this latest blog post, Snail’s Pace artist/designer Ashley M. Verkamp reflects on the path she takes to designing a Thank You card.

Ultimately, as a designer, when it comes down to the task of visually portraying thankfulness, I look to imagery that expresses this sentiment. One natural representation of saying “thank you” is the act of giving flowers, a long-standing tradition for expressing emotion. Interestingly, the origin for this practice is said to have started in prehistoric times, realized when archeologists unearthed flower petals in several antiquated grave sites. Moving forward in time, the practice of flower-giving as a means of demonstrating thanks has been discovered in Egyptian hieroglyphs, ancient Chinese texts and throughout Greek and Roman Mythology, revealing that flowers are a universal symbol and a timeless reminder of gratitude.

In my mind, considering that we at Snail’s pace endeavor to highlight the beauty of Creation in our product, the merging of flowers and associated imagery seems a natural fit for presenting this heartfelt message of appreciation. Flowers are portrayed on many of our Thank You cards, along with the adorable creatures associated with pollination. Honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all play a vital role in the continued gift of life on our planet, and in exchange they receive a flower’s own gift, the life-giving offering of nectar. To me, this perfectly encompasses what giving is all about. It reminds us that “in giving, we truly receive.” Showing appreciation and taking the time to say “thank you” goes hand-in-hand with the act of giving and maintains balance in the giving process. Saying thank you is a recognition of goodness and completes an act of kindness.

So please, slow down this month and communicate your recognition of goodness to someone who has touched your life!

Click here to see our entire offering of Thank You cards.

Refresh your group’s spring fundraising efforts

January 4, 2012

Spring is the perfect time to put a fresh new twist on your fundraising efforts by choosing an earth-friendly Snail’s Pace fundraiser!

There are several “green” occasions coming up, and an eco-friendly fundraiser is the perfect accompaniment to any one of them. Earth Day falls on April 22 and Arbor Day is celebrated on April 27.

And National Green Week events take place in schools between February 6 and April 22. National Green Week is a campaign designed to teach children the importance of those three other “R’s”—Recycling, Reusing and Reducing waste—and reminds them of ways they can do their part to serve the environment.

But greening your fundraising efforts isn’t the only reason to choose Snail’s Pace. Our program is an easy, profitable and enjoyable way to make money for your group:

High-quality, eco-friendly products. Unlike high-calorie chocolate or poor-quality trinkets, our locally-made, environmentally- and socially responsible products are a good-for-you alternative—you raise not just funds, but also an awareness of the need to protect the health of the planet and the people on it.

• Fundraising your way. Online-only: Our most eco-friendly option—just add a Snail’s Pace logo/link to your group’s website and send a few emails! Catalog: For easy face-to-face selling! We supply all the materials your sellers will need for FREE: full-color catalogs, order forms and posters. Plus, additional online tools are available to help you reach every supporter.

50% profit bonus periods AND year-round earning. During scheduled two-week bonus periods (up to two per year), your group earns 50% profit on your sales. Plus, orders placed online during the rest of the year earn a 20% profit—with little extra work from you!

Orders ship directly to your supporters. We’ve eliminated one of the most troublesome parts of product-based fundraising: sorting and delivering. We ship orders right to each supporter’s address—that means less work for you!

Great incentives sellers of all ages will love. Sales made during the two-week bonus period qualify sellers to earn great incentives, including recycled paper notebooks, 100% organic cotton tees, and even a grand prize of $150 cash (see website for full details).

If you’re ready to refresh your group’s fundraising efforts, visit our website to read more, watch our informative videos, or request a packet with free samples.

Abbey Press/Saint Meinrad Archabbey card collecting effort supports St. Jude’s Ranch

December 30, 2011

Last Christmas, we told you about a wonderful way to recycle all of the holiday (and other special occasion) cards you receive throughout the year. The St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program accepts donations of all-occasion cards, and children at the Ranch, along with adult volunteers, remove the fronts, attach new backs, and sell them to raise funds for their group.

Two Snail’s Pace co-workers, Sharon Lueken and Rita Marsili were moved by this group’s efforts and decided to see what they could do to help. In early January 2011, the duo put out a request to the co-workers, monks and friends of Saint Meinrad Archabbey/Abbey Press: send us your “pre-used” cards! Sharon and Rita then sorted those cards that met the Ranch’s requirements and shipped them. After just over a month, the pair had collected and sent almost 900 cards!

Not content with this initial donation, Sharon and Rita made collecting cards a year-round venture, periodically contacting co-workers and monks and shipping the donated cards to St. Jude’s Ranch. As of today, approximately 1600 cards have been collected and sent!

But that number is soon to increase. With the Christmas season ending, donations of cards are sure to increase. While Sharon describes the monks as “constant submitters,” sending in small stacks of cards frequently throughout the year, the co-workers and other donors have likely been saving theirs. Sharon and Rita are sure to see an avalanche of donated cards in the coming month or so.

And they don’t expect the donating to end. Sharon says, “I’ve heard from monks, co-workers and friends who really feel ‘part of something,’ even though the individual may only have donated 25 cards. But when all of those donations are combined, it really adds up!”

Sharon also feels proud to know that these donations are not only making a difference to the children at St. Jude’s Ranch, but also helping to reduce unnecessary waste by giving greeting cards a second life.

If you would like to support St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program, visit their website for full details and consider starting a card collection drive in your own workplace, school, church, or community.

A Simple, Cherished Christmas Story

December 21, 2011

As John Wilson, the general manager of Abbey Press, is the originator of Snail’s Pace, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Christmas memory is one that reminds him of a simpler, slower time. The memory: a cherished Christmas story told by his mother, Henrietta Coudret Klenck. His mother’s story, told in her own words, was once even featured in an area newspaper (Evansville Courier, December 1979), and John proudly shares it here.

“Old Customs Live in Family Lullaby” by Henrietta Coudret Klenck

For nostalgic reasons, I shall call this my “Christmas Lullaby” as this story was the one favorite bedtime story of each of my little ones during the Christmas season. As you will come to learn, I grew up in a small German village where customs of the homeland were still observed, beginning with a visit from St. Nickolas on December 6, 1921.

Christmas was in the hearts and air. Parlors were tidied, blinds drawn, doors locked and off limits until Christmas Eve. Oft times, we caught a glimpse of Santa peeking out from behind the blinds so we knew that we had better be on our best behavior.

Oil lamps and heating stoves provided our comfort with exception of an occasional necessary trip outdoors through the cold night air, destination back-house. Around such a hot stove, we hovered and quivered on this eve in hopes that Santa’s bells would soon be heard. Mother would open the transom between the rooms and the smell of the fresh cut tree, mingled with the cold air, was telling us Santa would soon appear.

Now we heard the bells and Santa’s call to his team to halt at our house. Bells and chains approached our front door with only the sign of a switch on the door prompting Mother to disappear into the parlor to greet Santa and his four helpers. They were accompanied by Mrs. Kris Kringle, dressed in a white and gold robe, wearing a gold crown and spoke in the soft voice of a child.

Now at last our dream was fulfilled. Santa opened the long-locked door and our eyes beheld the candle-lit tree surrounded with heaps of oranges, nuts and candy of many colors. We were told that each time a rainbow appeared in the sky, Santa was busy making his Christmas Candy and only at Christmas would we see such an array of goodies. There was only one gift for each of us seven children, but our eyes beheld many more. The same doll made its appearance each year in a new dress and never did I recognize it as the same one.

“Say your prayers” and “have you been good?” were Santa’s favorite lines, to which we assured him we had been angels all year, but never could remember past the second line in our prayers; how nervous we were as we shivered from cold and excitement.

Mother then presented Mrs. Claus with a pretty box of handkerchiefs while Santa and his helpers made their exit with a “Merry Christmas to All,” heading for the kitchen where Father greeted them with a glass of homemade wine.

Off to our cold bedrooms we were sent to share a few hours of happy dreams, and then off to the Mass in the dark. Farmers arrived in their buggies, horses wrapped in heavy blankets and hitched in the lot. Everyone was off to church, townspeople walking down the road greeting each other as they were on their way toward the only illuminated building in the dark village, much like the guiding star of long ago. Christmas was in our hearts and spirits, making us feel so fortunate to be among the American villagers at Christmastime in St. Wendel.

Behind the Design: Spring 2012 Sneak Peek

December 14, 2011

In our latest installment of “Behind the Design,” Snail’s Pace artist Ashley M. Verkamp takes a look forward to the new year and reveals some favorite designs that are coming soon to www.snailspacepaper.com.

Before we know it Spring will be here. Yes, right now I’m wrapped up in sweaters, baking cookies and listening to Elvis sing “Blue Christmas,” but a few 50 degree December days are reminding me that it won’t be too long before I’ll need to consider ordering seeds and dusting off my gardening boots. Even though I’m content to experience another month or two in hibernation mode, warmly protected from chilling winter winds and driving snow, I always long for the first sign of Spring’s arrival. To be honest, by the time February rolls around, nothing seems more appealing than being able to kick back on my front porch with a glass of lemonade in hand, and lazily listen to song birds serenade Bob Marley as he wails through my open window.

But for now, with the holiday season upon us, I think I’ll just do my best to enjoy the Christmas cheer and be in the moment. At least while I’m designing and finishing up the work for our upcoming Spring season, I’m able to soak myself in the brightly colored flowers and fluttering butterflies that adorn our cards and gift wrap. Plus, I simply enjoy knowing that longer, brighter days are ahead of me. With that said, perhaps you’ll discover some additional holiday warmth in taking a peek at our new round of Snail’s Pace spring goodies. Here’s a glimpse at some of the items we are most excited about!

Easter Bunny Card

"Sunny Blooms" Gift Bag Set

"Bunches of Gratitude" Card

"Field of Shamrocks" Gift-to-Go Wrap Set

Easing the Burden of Stress

December 7, 2011

Good stress can lead to creativity and productiveness, while bad stress can take its toll on our health and well-being. When you find yourself leaning more toward the bad side of stress, it’s wise to take a moment, slow down, and start the process of easing that stress. And this Abbey Press/One Caring Place booklet can help:

From Easing the Burden of Stress by Dr. Wayne Oates

Your boss tells you that the company needs to see higher profits this quarter—or heads will roll. The muscles in your throat tense, and you have trouble breathing.

You’re in a traffic jam, late picking up your youngest child from day care, wondering if there’s anything at home for dinner, when your cell phone rings. Your high-schooler has gotten into a fight and the principal wants to see you—now. Your heart begins to race as you look at the endless stream of cars.

Stress: Our lives are getting faster, fuller, more demanding. And we are feeling the effects. Much of our stress is job-related. A study some years ago concluded that Americans are working on average over 150 hours more per year than we were in the 1960s. Stress is also on the rise because of growing concerns about family, money, health, and personal safety.

Working your way through. Healthy stress is a natural part of life. We need a certain level of stimulation to perform daily tasks and achieve goals. Austrian doctor Hans Seyle, considered the founder of stress awareness, pointed out in the 1950s that stress is good—when it fuels performance on a deadline, juices creativity, and creates adrenaline rushes that allow for people to perform beyond their normal capacities during emergencies.

But when stress is excessive, extended, and unfocused, it becomes distress, and can cause real damage. Over a long period of time, high levels of stress take a serious toll on our health and well-being.

While we can’t completely avoid stress, we can take some sensible precautions so that life’s challenges won’t send us into a tailspin. We may even find that some of our stress points can be opportunities for making midcourse corrections in our lives. Here are some suggestions for managing stress and minimizing its negative effects.

Understand the sources of stress. Don Hauck, a former minister who offers counseling, says that stress is “an effect of the fight within ourselves over who we are, the values we have, how we think about ourselves.”

Any major life passage or change—whether positive or negative—will bring on stress. Life’s most stressful events include the death of a family member or close friend; separation or divorce; personal injury or illness; marriage; job loss; change in work conditions; retirement; pregnancy; financial reversal; a change in job, school, or residence; vacations and holidays; a child leaving home; trouble with the law; family reunions.

Working with this list, write down the stresses that have happened to you and your loved ones in the last year, or that seem destined to happen in the coming year. Targeting specific stress points so that you can deal with them can relieve unfocused anxiety.

Confront major stresses in your life. Some stressful events just happen. Others are the result of choices and can be regulated. For example, if you are finishing school, getting married, and moving all in the same month, slow things down. Spread these events over a wider time span. Schedule the most important events first; delay others.

Some stresses can’t be deferred, but they can be interrupted. If you have the around-the-clock responsibility of caring for an aging parent, for instance, you need some respite. Perhaps a relative can share the responsibilities, or several families in your community who care for aging parents can employ a caretaker to give you each a break one day a week.

You may also need to confront some serious and persistent stresses in your life. Perhaps you feel weighed down by impossible job demands, a demoralizing relationship, or a troubling family situation. Seek counseling, if necessary, to sort through the issues, and summon the courage you need to improve the situation.

Manage daily stress. You can alleviate some daily stresses by saying no when others make unfair demands on you. Above all, don’t add to your stress by putting unrealistic expectations on yourself. When you face a difficult day, prioritize your duties, tackle the top of the list first, and reward yourself in healthy ways for tasks accomplished. Remind yourself that you are responsible only for doing the best you can under the circumstances.

If you find your day filled with nonstop activity, schedule five-minute “mental vacations.” Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and bring to mind your favorite vacation spot. Now take a deep breath to relax. Continue to focus on your calm breathing, peaceful mental picture, and relaxed state. (If you have trouble relaxing, consult some of the many books and tapes available on relaxation techniques.)

Meditation, prayer, and simple quiet time are essential antidotes for stress overload. Take advantage of any time alone—including time spent commuting, riding an elevator, or standing in line—to bring calming images to mind. Use quiet moments at the beginning or end of the day to restore a sense of calm to your life. You may want to listen to calming music before retiring or upon waking.

Take good care of yourself—body, mind, and spirit. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet will help fortify you against stress, as will adequate rest and exercise. “Almost all of us are sleep-deprived,” says Dr. Martin Scharf, a sleep disorders specialist. “The average American gets two hours less sleep today than he or she did in past generations.” Examine your sleep patterns. Too often we cheat ourselves of the essential, renewing effects of sleep when we need them most.

Regular exercise is also a great stress-buster. Exercise releases calming chemicals, relieves built-up stress, increases self-esteem, and facilitates relaxation. Consider joining a health club or teaming up with a friend to reinforce your decision to get a regular workout. A brief, brisk walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, spending time in the garden—all are gentle, inexpensive ways of giving your body the care it needs.

While alcohol may seem like a quick fix for stress symptoms, it often compounds the problem. And medications such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers require much caution and the direction of a trusted physician.

A healthy spirituality is also a key to handling distress. Sharing your faith with others brings bonds of friendship and support, and puts you in touch with God’s healing nurturance. If you feel spiritually empty, it may be a sign that stress is taking its toll on your soul. Make time for a retreat or a day away to get back in touch with the divine presence within you and around you. Try to find an appropriate way to express your spirituality in your daily life, through quiet time for reading and reflection, prayer, or community service.

Learn new skills. Many of us enter into life’s most stress-filled adventures, such as marriage, parenthood, or a new job, with little or no training. We may have the best of intentions, but we need more than good intentions to successfully negotiate these challenges and keep our stress manageable.

Seek out the training you need. Your public library is an excellent place to start. So is the Internet, if it’s available to you. You might also look into counseling services, support groups, and volunteer agencies that can help give you the tools to cope with whatever challenges you face. Take an evening class or call a toll-free hotline; the key is to be open to new information that can help you. Remember the adage, “Don’t work harder, work smarter.” It applies to all areas of life.

Take Heart. Facing the inevitable stresses of life sensibly and courageously can help you clarify your values and set new directions for yourself, releasing creative energy for personal growth and service to others. You will begin to see stress as less of a burden and more of a blessing—a catalyst toward living a life that is full, healthy, and whole.

Visit www.carenotes.com to order this title and others.

VIDEO: Watch and Learn About Our Fundraising Program

November 30, 2011

Spring fundraising activities are just around the corner. If your school, church or group is still undecided about which program to choose, we invite you to learn a little more about eco-friendly Snail’s Pace Fundraising.

To make the learning process even easier, we’ve produced a video that gives an overview of our program. Share it with your group’s fundraising chairperson, with your PTO/PTA or other parent group, with your congregation and more. It’s an easy way to explain the program and get everyone excited about your fundraising efforts!

Are you a Catholic school, church or group? This video explains our program, including the “All for the Church” aspect:

GUEST BLOG by Agnes M. Kovacs: Pen to Paper

November 23, 2011

There is something about a handwritten note.

Oh, I do like the convenience of word processors, of being able to erase any mistakes without leaving a mark, of formatting with ease, of conveying my message even through the font I pick to use. Yet, there is something special about handwriting. Each of us can claim: it is uniquely mine. It is an expression of who I am as a human being.

I remember learning to form my letters with chunky colored pencils on lined newspaper, then graduating to regular black pencil on lined or grid paper, and eventually, to using pens. There was a mystique about fountain pens, blotters, and acquiring the skill of filling up the pen from the ink bottle without spilling a drop of Montblanc on my father’s desk. Fountain pens were our first introduction to the permanency writing in ink implies, as well as to the pains it took to correct a mistake by carefully scraping the paper. When I shared this bit of reflection with my 19-year old, she looked at me somewhat confused: what is a fountain pen?

While fountain pens gave way to ballpoint pens, and mechanical typewriters to electronic ones, word processors, personal computers, and to the array of handheld devices of today, a pen still urges me to test its fit in my hand, to swirl my signature or a random word as I evaluate whether it is an instrument for me. My criteria are quite personal: does it naturally bring forth my very best penmanship or frustrate my attempts at producing a polished, pleasing appearance? Do I have to work hard to shape the words or do they seem to flow off the tip, as if this pen is an extension of me? Sounds fanciful? Perhaps, so it is. But if you—or someone you know—ever had a favorite pen, chances are, we share some of this fancy.

The reason I enjoy receiving and sending handwritten letters and notes is the sense of sharing something of our self through this particular aspect of the correspondence. It takes more time and care to write by hand—that is, if we wish the recipient to be able decipher it. The fact that we do take the time and care, can speak of the strength of our bond, the depth of the relationship, the attention we are willing to give. In an age when we spell love as t-i-m-e, picking up a pen might be just the way to express our love.

My 19-year old might wonder about my experiences with writing instruments foreign to her, but I realized that her sensibilities parallel mine when she painted her own note paper on which to write—by hand—to her college friends.

Agnes M. Kovacs is the Associate Director of Lay Degree Programs for Saint Meinrad’s School of Theology.

Behind the Design: Vintage Christmas

November 16, 2011

It’s that time of year — time to reconnect with friends and family and share the blessings of the season. And Christmas cards are the traditional—and some would say “old-fashioned”—way of doing just that. In our latest “Behind the Design” entry, Snail’s Pace artist Ashley M. Verkamp explores how some of her favorite card designs are ones that celebrate Christmases of the past:

Saint Nicholas Christmas Card

“When it comes to creating Christmas Card designs, there is much to be inspired by, and some of my favorite design motifs for this time of year feature nostalgic holiday imagery that encourages us to remember the past. For me, The use of vintage style art and color palettes have a cozy warmth and traditional feel that invites an individual to remember their own family histories and holiday memories.

The classic depiction of a favorite Christmas theme, be

Poinsettia Christmas Card

it a Victorian St. Nick or a beautiful Poinsettia flower, engenders us to share a time-honored holiday tradition with our own families, giving us the ability to retain a little more of that iconic and timeless “Christmas Spirit.” Which, if you are like me, is a nice experience to preserve amidst the opening of presents revealing iPods, wii games, Kindles and iTunes gift cards!

Pair that with a vintage red and green color scheme and you have a winning combination, sure to capture even the most Scrooge-like of hearts amongst family and friends.”


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