Lately, I have been pondering the words “either/or” and “both/and”.  I often find myself in situations where “either/or” does not always seem to be the answer.  It is not either motherhood or professional development.  It is not either one relationship or another.  It is not either only my my way of thinking or only someone else’s way of thinking.  There are more and more times where I am finding the answer is “both/and”.  It can be both motherhood and developing myself professionally.  It can be both relationships.  It can be both thoughtful insights. 

The “both/and” situations, though, are harder to grasp sometimes and wrap our heads around.  I find in “both/and” situations things do not always fit so nicely in little boxes. 

Someone shared this poem with me recently from Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M. It has made me think even more about that little word “and”. 

Where in our lives do we need to apply that little word “and”? 

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.