This weekend I had an opportunity to hear an extraordinary organist (Dr. Robin Dinda) perform an improvisation on “Morning Has Broken,” and the tune – while always a favorite – has been dancing, or perhaps tiptoeing, through my head. This morning as I drove a familiar route I was wooed into the woods to snap […]
Of Mornings, Dew, and All Things New Read More »
Today, I’m changing the ring tone on my mobile to a song that will amuse me. I’m investing a minute of my morning to click on a couple keys and change the sound my phone makes when someone calls me. Who cares? Me. I care and I know (from my past experience) that even if
Friday, Fun, Phones, and the Fourth Read More »
Over the weekend on three occasions in three different places, I saw grackles. Of course, at this time of year, seeing birds is not unusual, but grackles aren’t that common around here. This week I rediscovered a small collection of labradorite stones that I had stashed away. I observed a similarity between grackles and labradorite.
Of Grackles, Labradorite, and People Too! Read More »
I guess this may be a continuation of an idea I wrote about recently. Sometimes it seems like the woods woos us to come, to look, to listen, to wander and ponder. So does it seem to you that sometimes hope is hiding? Requiring you to move, to go, to stoop, to kneel, to stretch?
This weekend, countless earthlings will mark Earth Day with celebrations of various sorts. On a personal level, every day the Earth offers us a chance to be still, to seek communion with nature, to be grounded. Perhaps it is in the quiet of the woods or the rhythmic sounds of the surf that we can
Happy Earthday to You Read More »
Plenty of folks get a few text messages every week to remind them to stay positive and take positive steps, but QuittersWin is more than just feel-good text messages and blog posts. For people dealing with addictions or compulsive behaviors, QuittersWin can be a game-changer or life-saver. By serving brave folks addicted to tobacco and
A Reminder, a Dragon, and a Download Read More »
Seize the Season! Today we turn the corner and tomorrow we will begin a new month and a new quarter. In many ways, it simply starts to feel more like Spring has come. Behold the signs of new life emerging from the earth. Spring may feel like the most magical of the seasons (at least
Being kind to self isn’t always easy. Even understanding what self kindness is can be a bit confusing. We have talked about how harshly we sometimes judge self and how that can make matters worse. We don’t criticize a leopard cub for not being able to fend for itself. (is that little critter not adorable?!)
Please don’t be fooled by the cute photo – this post isn’t just “warm and fuzzy!” Kristin Neff is a researcher on the topic of self-compassion and author of “Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.” She believes that there are three steps toward greater self-compassion. The three steps or aspects of self-compassion
Disclaimer: I realize the inherent irony in this post. You’re no doubt reading it on an electronic device from which I’m proposing you detach yourself. “Such a blessing, such a curse!” That how I see the internet. That’s how I see mobile phones. That’s how I see computers. They bring things to our lives every
Who says who you are? Well frankly, technically, lots of people can name you, label you, try to define or identify you. We tend to do that to people whenever we speak… “This guy on the bus… My friend called the other day… Somebody said that… Everybody knows that… Diabetics have more…” But the labels
This week we’re going to be looking at the idea that “how I see me will determine how I treat me.” This is quite literally a daily utterance for me. I rarely, if ever, have a conversation about addiction without sharing this idea. And this topic isn’t only relevant for addicted folks – this absolutely
Some folks may celebrate a holiday that always make me think of good luck. Of course, I think that what kind of luck we have may depend upon what sort of luck we’re looking for! Our expectations can certainly influence our outcomes. So, why not expect a miracle? Or at least a lovely day? And
I hope before your day is done that you find or make time to just be. Just be still, be quiet, close your eyes and open your soul to a sense of serenity. Our world tends to be a noisy world, a chattering world, a static filled, hectic, hurried and harried world. Have you taken
Pursue Perfection Knowing Perfection or perfectionism can prevent progress, stripping us of hope before we begin. Perfection, while beautiful as an idea, can be hard to accept in real life because it can make us painfully aware of our shortfalls and flaws. But I believe we need the idea of ‘perfect’ in our vocabulary and
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