(photo: Pope Leo XIV and author Diane Foley, Vatican Media, 2025) I have a theory: Learning from experience is fundamentally human. We learn from our experiences, and what we learn changes the way we think, feel, and act -- sometimes a little, but sometimes in ways that transform us. When we are in community with … Continue reading Mercy Makes Forgiveness
Everett Worthington
Why is real forgiveness a process?
(photo: Artist's Conk, Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The mixture of hardwood oaks and aspens along with softwood pines and junipers makes for a wide variety of mushrooms and fungi in our little corner of the oak savanna. I took a photo of this Artist's Conk (Ganoderma lobatum) in our woods and I'll be … Continue reading Why is real forgiveness a process?
Forgiving Makes More Forgiveness
(photo: Prairie Deer Mouse by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) An important part of my day is the time I spend in our stable, hay shed, and on our pastures. Regularly doing some outdoor work caring for animals and little ecosystems like pastures, keeps gives me a daily connection to nature and the proverbial … Continue reading Forgiving Makes More Forgiveness
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) This little patch of Black Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia herta) showed up in our woods for the first time this year. There must be just enough of a break in the overhead canopy of pines to provide the sunlight that these flowers bask in. Black Eyed Susans are … Continue reading What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
Forgiveness in Elder Flourishing
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) This is the time of year when the Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is in bloom and we can see all kinds of pollinators busily working the flowers. As you can see in the photo, it’s an amazing sight of coexistence, not to mention that you may be … Continue reading Forgiveness in Elder Flourishing
As We Forgive
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota 2025) After sharing a photo of closed Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) flowers a while back, I thought I really should make a point to share with you a photo of the fully blossomed flower so as to do them some justice. When you head out into the woods … Continue reading As We Forgive
Many reasons, all of them good!
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The air is a bit cooler in the mornings and evenings of late. On any walk it is a small joy to see the Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) in bloom. The Evening Primrose is a species native to our oak savanna, is also known by the name … Continue reading Many reasons, all of them good!
“…find rest for yourselves.”
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The Western Goatsbeard (Trapopogon dubius) is a favorite bloom around our pastures here in Central Minnesota. It is a flower that you will find open around dawn and closed by around noontime. Today's Liturgy of the Word includes a Gospel reading from Matthew with some well-known words … Continue reading “…find rest for yourselves.”
Acceptance is the Way Forward
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The Blue Jackets (Tradescantia ohiensis) are beginning to bloom along the forest edges here in Central Minnesota. The Morning Prayer ("lauds") in today's Liturgy of the Hours includes a reading from the book of Job: "We accept good things from God; and should we accept evil?" (2:10b). … Continue reading Acceptance is the Way Forward
Forgiveness, Flourishing & Mental Health
Live and Forgive was developed by presenter and facilitator Tom Delaney as part of his completion of forgiveness studies in the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. The REACH forgiveness model and process researched by Everett Worthington and Tyler VanderWeele is core content for Live and Forgive presentations, guided retreats. and small group series. The … Continue reading Forgiveness, Flourishing & Mental Health
Live and Forgive 