Grotto Network - Live Boldly

Welcome to Grotto Network, where we share
stories and insights about living life boldly.

Check out this list for how to celebrate Palentine's Day in Chicago.

Best Friends Unite! 30 Ideas for Celebrating Palentine’s Day in Chicago

Discover how we can transition into a healthier human relationship with nature.

Connecting With the Gentle Giants of the Ocean

Learn what "get back on the horse" means to this author — both literally and figuratively.

Why You Should Get Back on the Horse

Watch how this farmer answers the question, "What are goats good for?"

These Goats Have a Super Power

Read this reflective narrative about what this author learned from her reactive dog.

How My Reactive Dog Changed the Way I Relate to Others

Read this reflective narrative about a black bear encounter.

Unexpected Lessons from a Black Bear

Read "Camp Lazarus", a poem about animals and camping.

“Camp Lazarus”

Wondering how to adopt a shelter pet? This shelter volunteer and Dog-mom suggests these tips for bringing home your first shelter pet.

A First-Timer’s Guide to Adopting a Shelter Animal

Peruse these independent Chicago bookstores and find community, too.

Explore Chicago’s Literary Scene This Winter

Learn how music connects people by reading this story.

The Magic of Making Music With Others

Navigate Life

RelationshipsHealth & WellnessCareer & Finance

Check out this list for how to celebrate Palentine's Day in Chicago.

Best Friends Unite! 30 Ideas for Celebrating Palentine’s Day in Chicago

Article / Relationships

Discover how we can transition into a healthier human relationship with nature.

Connecting With the Gentle Giants of the Ocean

Article / Relationships

Read this reflective narrative about what this author learned from her reactive dog.

How My Reactive Dog Changed the Way I Relate to Others

Article / Relationships

Find out what you need to know about seasonal depression here.

What You Need to Know about Seasonal Depression

Article / Health & Wellness

Read this reflective narrative about improv acting.

How Improv Brings Back the Joy of Play

Article / Health & Wellness

Learn how to start therapy by considering these three things.

The Transformative Power of Therapy

Article / Health & Wellness

Check out this gift guide for Christmas shopping in Chicago.

Your 2022 Chicago Gift Guide

Article / Career & Finance

Watch how changing careers impacted this woman's life.

Delivering Joy — One Party at a Time

Video / Career & Finance

Learn these first job tips to find the right first job after college.

Just Starting Your Career? Heed This Advice From a CEO

Article / Career & Finance

Make an Impact

HealTransformVolunteer

Learn what "get back on the horse" means to this author — both literally and figuratively.

Why You Should Get Back on the Horse

Watch how this farmer answers the question, "What are goats good for?"

These Goats Have a Super Power

Read this reflective narrative about

“In This Place, I Find Hope”

Read this reflective narrative about a black bear encounter.

Unexpected Lessons from a Black Bear

Article / Transform

Read "Camp Lazarus", a poem about animals and camping.

“Camp Lazarus”

Article / Transform

Watch and meet Fragile Rock — a band made up of musicians and puppeteers.

This Band of Puppets Will Rock Your Socks Off

Video / Transform

Wondering how to adopt a shelter pet? This shelter volunteer and Dog-mom suggests these tips for bringing home your first shelter pet.

A First-Timer’s Guide to Adopting a Shelter Animal

Article / Volunteer

Show compassion by learning these four new ways for how to help immigrants here.

4 Ways You Can Support the Immigrant Community

Article / Volunteer

Watch and meet the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

Sister Connie’s Groceries

Video / Volunteer

Keep the Faith

CommunityBeliefPrayer

Peruse these independent Chicago bookstores and find community, too.

Explore Chicago’s Literary Scene This Winter

Article / Community

Learn how music connects people by reading this story.

The Magic of Making Music With Others

Article / Community

Meditate on the feeling of belonging and experience the magic of it.

Meditating on the Magic of Belonging

Article / Community

Look up into the night sky and see the beauty of the universe.

What the Night Sky Holds

Article / Belief

Read why Christmas lights are magical for this author.

The Magic of Small Lights in the Darkness

Article / Belief

Watch this coptic artist show the magic behind icon painting.

The Art Behind the Icon

Prayer at Winter Solstice poem by Dana Gioia: Winter night scene with snowfall lit by a streetlamp.

“Prayer at Winter Solstice”

Article / Prayer

Reflect with us here on the life of Pope Benedict XVI.

Reflecting on the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI

Article / Prayer

What is the purpose of art, specifically abstract? This author reflects on that question here.

What’s the Point of Abstract Art? Maybe It’s How it Works on our Hearts

Article / Prayer