Stephen Boss

Therese of Lisieux wrote to her agonized sister about the trial of being displeasing to oneself. No one who has looked deeply into himself evades this fiery trial. Some are overwhelmed by it.  

No wants, no worries

Man is pure when desireless, simple when fearless.

Love, actually

The virtues are an absence before they are a presence. Courage is the absence of fear, innocence of lust, humility of pride. And what is this purifying fecundity, this mothering absence? Love, actually.

No small achievement

Don’t get involved with your thoughts. Let them come. And let them go.

Hey, kid

Sometimes joy displays itself in a burst of riotous theatricality. As, for example, in the gravity-defying hop of a “kinder” goat.