Hello friends,
Happy New Year! I’m glad to be here with you again in 2024. I have lots of writing and collaborating dreams for this space this year, but first I’d love start the year by getting to know each other a bit.
Who am I?
I’m Debbie, a spiritual director and mother, seeking presence and connection in the chaos. Here on Substack I explore and offer gentle invitations to share a moment with your soul. I live in Glasgow with my husband and four children, and also work as a community link worker.
A few current things to know about me:
I am an irresponsible reader often starting too many new books or cosily reading way past my bedtime. I usually have three books on the go: a fiction, a non-fiction and something spiritual.
I run regularly, although not quickly, and my favourite route is through our pocket of Auchenshuggle Forest (pronounced Ockh-en-shoogle for the non-Scots) and then along the Clyde. The best times are when I get to blow a kiss to the urban deer hiding out in there.
My self-care tends to involve structured courses that sometimes require homework. These offer me permission to set aside precious time for myself. Training as a spiritual director was a gift while the rest of my days were spent caring for tiny twins.
Our first son was born in South Africa, a place and season that still dwell in me.
In 2024 my family are taking part in the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge and tracking our hours spent outside. I don’t know that we’ll make it to 1000 hours, but we’ll certainly have fun trying.
What is Soul Space?
I host spaces to quiet ourselves and listen to our deeper parts. This includes my Spiritual Accompaniment work in the Christian faith space; companioning individuals as they honestly question, search for, wrestle with the Divine in their actual lives. It is my delight to create, gather and host group and retreat experiences for contemplation and connection. I also love to offer room for soul deep reflections in non-religious settings. I host Sunday Soul Sessions and Motherhood Retreats: spaces to slow down for peaceful reflection, playful creativity and warm conversation.
I love to hold space for a breadth of people and experiences, hence ‘a host of soul spaces’.
‘A host of soul spaces’ came from my desire to extend my in-person offerings to online. Here on Substack I share stories, practices and ponderings. Check out my About page for the different sections.
If we gathered in my home this week, you’d certainly be offered some of the leftover Christmas chocolates, and maybe a bit of Malteaser slice if there’s still some in the tin. If I’m more prepared and feeling fancy, perhaps there’d be a snack platter. To drink there’d be cups of tea, or rooibos, or perhaps a high quality coffee if Paul is around. I’d grab a coaster from under the sofa (or wherever they’ve been hidden) and settle in for a cosy chat.
If I dropped by your home today, what would we eat or drink? I’d love to hear who you are, so please come and introduce yourself in the comments.
Thanks for being here,
Debbie
Ooh, it depends on when you come! There's always a cup of tea and a (gluten free 😂) biscuit on offer, but if you come for games night, there'll be soup too! What a lovely invitation this was, Debbie! ❤️
Just catching up on this. I love the claiming of the label of 'irresponsible reader'! Currently if (/when!) you come to visit I always try to ensure visitors get a taste of some decent welshcakes, but if we don't have them in I usually go for crisps, fruit, may be some antipasti 🤤 we also tend to overwhelm people with our selection of teas, or of an evening we often offer a gin or a beer