I grew up in a neighborhood where each house, although modest, was gifted with a huge lot with room for a large vegetable garden and many trees. You see, I grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where the government had purchased farmland in early forties to quickly build three huge facilities where secret preparations were …
How many times do we listen to the opinions of others and wish that they would see things differently? No matter who it is, sometimes someone close to us, it can be difficult to understand how they are viewing a particular situation so differently than yourself. It can also be awkward, but I work at …
“Life is a paradise for those who love many things with a passion.”― Leo Buscaglia This quote from Leo Buscaglia resonates deeply with me. Yes, indeed, I love many people and things with a tremendous zeal, enthusiasm, and passion. This brings to my mind so many beautiful landscapes, exotic foods and markets in far-away places, peaceful …
There is an old saying in response to being asked how we’re doing, and it is, “Not perfect, but better than I was before.” That answer is what keeps us going when there might be a tendency to fall into depression and despair. Many Master Teachers including Jesus have reminded us to “be of good …
I said a prayer for you this morning. Yes, you, the person reading this short message. My method for talking to God is simple. As I go into the quiet, the silence, I feel a direct connection to God, Spirit, Light, Love, Yahweh, or whatever name you have for the Higher Power. At the same …
During this time leading up to the Winter Solstice and the coming New Year, we have an excellent opportunity to deeply decide what we will take forward in our lives and what we will leave behind. We must process those things that are holding us back, whether it is trauma from childhood, deep regrets, resentments, …
I lit my first candle in honor of Chanukah last night. “Why,” you ask? “You do not practice Judaism.” The answer is that it makes me feel good to participate in rituals that have meaning. It touches my heart and that is what spirituality is all about, after all. It is about feeling the love of the …
Our musicians have recently begun performing the song titled, “These are the Things I’m Thankful For.”[i] Each time they sing it, I am deeply touched and brought to tears. It is a tremendous blessing to feel so deeply. The song, with its music and words, reminds me of how deeply I feel appreciation for all …
“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” – John C. Maxwell. Many people are unaware of the ability to change their lives. In their younger years, they accepted many things for truth that were only unhealthy practices. If we were …
In her essay, High Tide in Tucson, Barbara Kingsolver addresses the experience of finding ourselves with the need to start over: “Every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. A frightening diagnosis, a move, loss of a job or a limb or a loved one, and it’s impossible …