We know you’re out there. Regularly you send us reflections, essays, stories about your lives. We’re giving you a little extra room to flex your writing muscles in our “Variations on a Theme” feature. It works like this: We provide a topic. “Envy,” say. You send us a few paragraphs about an experience you’ve had with envy. Make it a true story from your life. We’re looking for candor and honesty. Length: 375 words or less.

Send submissions for future topics to themes@ncronline.org. (We prefer e-mail.) Or you can send it by regular mail to: Rich Heffern, NCR, 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111 or fax it to (816) 968-2280.

Include your name, city and state, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.

National Catholic Reporter, April 4, 2008