One Quote + One Note + One Question January 14, 2024
One Quote
Loneliness can be confusing, but broadening your belongings makes everything better.
- Charlotte Donlon
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One Note
I’ve seen it happen with friends, family, readers, spiritual direction clients, and in my own life. When we give more attention to noticing our loneliness, we become better at noticing our belongings. When we experience loneliness in one area, we can broaden our belongings in other areas. I don’t believe we can ever get rid of all loneliness forever and ever amen but we can decrease loneliness and its negative effects. For real. You should try it.
Until next time,
Charlotte
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One Question
How have you experienced loneliness and belonging in the past week?
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One List of Gatherings Happening This Month
January 2-30: Spiritual Direction for Writers® Co-Writing Sessions, Online
January 14: Paris Avenue Writers' Group with Tania De'Shawn, Birmingham
January 21: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Cole Arthur Riley and Black Liturgies, Online, Free & Paid
Janury 25: HappyWomenDinners with Katie Horwitch and Want Your Self, Birmingham
January 27: Spiritual Direction for Writers® Revision Stations Designed by Lauren F. Winner, Online
January 27: Online Seminar for Moms Who Write with Sessions for All Caregivers & Those Who Have Experienced Lament and Loss around Motherhood, Online, Free & Paid
January 28: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Amy Long and Codependence, Online, Free & Paid
Charlotte Donlon’s writing and work are always rooted in helping her readers, audience, and clients notice how art and other good things help them belong to themselves, others, the divine, and the world. Charlotte is the founder of Thoughtful Books Etc.™, One O’Clock Central, Spiritual Direction for Writers® , Spiritual Direction for Belonging™, and Parenting with Art™. Her first book was The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her next book on Spiritual Direction for Writers will be published by Eerdmans in 2024 or 2025. Charlotte’s essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a certificate in spiritual direction. To receive Charlotte’s latest updates, news, announcements, and all kinds of good things, subscribe to Thoughtful Readers Etc. + Five Good Things.