beauty refresher — Reflections

A Brilliant Writer, A Generous Guide

Jonathan Rogers is a rare combination: a great writer who is able to teach and encourage others. He curates and encourages a community of people who write (and some who still choke over calling themselves "writers!') at The Habit Membership. He teaches seminars, hosts podcasts, offers a free weekly writing newsletter (sign up here), and has a treasure-trove of writing exercises and grammar tips (for word nerds like me!) through the Habit Membership.

Jonathan is the author of the popular Wilderking Trilogy, and a spiritual biography of Flannery O’Connor, The Terrible Speed of Mercy. He is an active member of The Rabbit Room where many of his podcasts can be found. I met him a few years ago when he spoke at InSpero’s Art of Community discussion and led a writing seminar in Birmingham. I’ve been a fan ever since!

Link here to find out about his latest online six-week writing seminar on Writing with Anne of Green Gables which begins September 14.

"Thou Shalt Not Postpone Joy"

That's one of my favorite phrases and no one paints and lives that out like Tricia Robinson . Her heart pours out in her painting. Here are a few of her words and images:

"Painter of happy. Believer in whimsy. Seeing God's smile in the everyday."

“The Four” (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba) by Tricia Robinson

"When I am happy in the wonky instead of the ‘glossy pages of perfection,’ then the magic happens! I can laugh in the middle of the hard and carry a song in the healing. . .

When the painted flowers on the canvas are lopsided and my dining room table is leaning towards the middle, I can smile. There is wonky in my face wrinkles and there is wonky in my hair cut. . .

When I let go of the ‘performance’ and the ‘have to’ and the ‘shoulds’ and the culture of ‘southern culture’ and just say, “‘his is me,’ I feel like a bird just released from its cage. . 🌸"

"I love to draw girls and dresses and houses and flowers, just like I did when I was eight. And it is still wonky. I love fashion design. Just like I loved as a teenager. But I love wonky fashion design like Gucci… mismatched colors and fabrics... so beautifully imperfect. . ."

Tricia helps us shake off the dark days and live happy. You’ll love following her on Instagram.