THE WAY BACK TO OURSELVES

Literary Journal

The Way Back to Ourselves Literary Journal Presents:

M A S T H E A D:

Editors: Sarah Steele, Kimberly Kralovic, and Ashley Whittemore

Founder and Editor-in-Chief: Kimberly Phinney

MAY YOU HEAR THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS SPEAK INTO YOUR SOUL.

Listen to the poets of the Spring Collection: Renaissance read their work with our NEW podcast, The Poetry Corner from The Way Back Podcast, hosted by Edward L. Holmes II and Deidre Braley. FALL COLLECTION coming soon…

Loss to Gain
poetry Kimberly Phinney poetry Kimberly Phinney

Loss to Gain

In her poem “Loss to Gain,” Ashley Whittemore learns there is great and unexpected beauty in loss.

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Mountain Laurel Living
poetry Kimberly Phinney poetry Kimberly Phinney

Mountain Laurel Living

In her poem “Mountain Laurel Living,” Bethany Peck writes about loss, suffering, and faith through the metaphor of the Mountain Laurel.

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The Way Back to Ourselves and our Literary Journal is not for profit and FREE for all to read and enjoy. If you believe in our cause and want to support our mission and the creation of our journal and other content, like our podcast and blog, please consider donating. Thank you. God bless you. You belong here.

Start your journey.

It starts today— in the small steps you take, the hands you hold, the prayers you say, the art you make, and the hard things you conquer… The way back isn’t as far as you think.

Get involved. Write for us. Attend our workshops and retreats. Hire us for creative counseling, editing, or speaking engagements.

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🌲🍁🏔️ It feels like Christmas Day for the editors & me—& no doubt, you too, if you were published in our literary journal’s Fall Collection: THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS, inspired by the work of Wendell Berry! Why??? 🍁🍁BECAUSE
This week has been hard. I’m still struggling to process the sharp downward turn in my health the past few months. I can’t thank you all enough for your beautiful prayers & messages this week, as I faced appointments &a
🎉GIVEAWAY ALERT: THE PEACE OF LITERARY THINGS. Enter NOW through Sunday 11/17 at midnight EST to get in on these literary goodies to kick off the fall season.🎉 🍁We want to celebrate & highlight The Way Back to Ourselves’ creative, editi
🌌I’ve been taking long looks at the night sky lately. It’s helping me get by. I tuck my prayers and hopes in those stars. I see the face of God. It quiets my mind, eases my soul, and reminds me how small I am—and I like this ki
🇺🇸I know it’s Election Day, but I just wanted to break up your feed with some good news that isn’t political. ✍🏼I’m blessed to share that my essay, “A Promise in the Darkness,” was published in @ct_mag Advent Devoti
❤️‍🩹I’m not myself. I’ve been struggling quite a bit. This post couldn’t have happened without the love of a faithful friend coming beside me. It was her words that bolstered my weary ♥️ yesterday when I was finding it
🎶 It’s finally here! TWBTO is proud to present the reboot of The Artist’s Interview with writer, artist, & musician Joel Adock of @writtenwithinco. In this in-depth & inspirational interview, contributor @steve.can.draw sits dow
🎉This was a sweet birthday gift. I was honored to be interviewed by @raptinterviews last week, & I’d love to share this unique format with you. You can start with the sneak peek here & in the slides… and then find the link to
❤️‍🩹This post is about survival. It’s about choosing to live & keep living with all of ourselves no matter how extremely painful & difficult life may be. Live long enough, & you will face reasons to give up—to let it all
♥️I’m still learning how to make peace—how to love this new me & a body that doesn’t feel like me but has kept me alive. Today, on my birthday, I’m asking her to forgive me & help me keep learning. I also can&r
❤️‍🩹I come to you empty-handed tonight. I come from a place in need. I have always been a “giver” who grows uneasy when I am the one that needs to “take” or ask for help. I imagine some of you can relate. Breaking down
🎙️Friends, it’s the Season 1 Finale!! Come join me as I sit down and talk with Dr. Terence Lester @imterencelester, author, speaker, minister, professor, & founder of @lovebeyondwalls. This episode comes at “such a time as this,&rd