Principle 14: Consider the Thistle

The thistle blooms in streets and alleys where women walk and sleep.

We spend a lot of time considering the thistle --

it's rough exterior,

its soft and regal center,

and its capacity to break through concrete to blossom.

In a world that names weeds,

we taste the riches of thistles and savor their beauty.

We are thistle farmers.

The world is our farm, and we harvest where other people

do not want to travel.

from Find Your Way Home

Principle 13: Laugh at Yourself

The only way to survive communal living and

have it be a spiritual experience is to allow humor to be part of it.

Finding the humor in anything is a sign of grace.

We do not have to take ourselves too seriously.

If we can laugh at the small things that make us mad,

they will not undermine our work or our community.

from Find Your Way Home

Principle 12: Show Hospitality to All

We are called to offer hospitality to every guest,

resident,

staff member,

stranger,

and old friend.

We remember all the kindness that people have offered us.

We treat everyone as a blessing

and offer them something such as a tea,

handmade products,

or a story to take on the road.

We go back to the streets and offer out gifts to the women

who are still walking.

from Find Your Way Home

Principle 11: Unite Your Sexuality and Spirituality

We have been taught that our sexuality is a commodity

and have learned to live in a spirit of mistrust and manipulation.

In community we claim ourselves again,

saying no to people and institutions

that are not part of the healing of our

bodies, minds, and spirits.

We are sexual beings made in the image of God.

We are spiritual beings made in the image of God.

We are allowing one another the dignity of experiencing

our spirituality and our sexuality.

from Find Your Way Home