Pain often comes before change. For example, we may find ourselves out of breath after an activity we once did well, and feel low for having let our fitness slip. We may dread going into the office and well up…
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What Should Be Encouraged
My big brother recently shared with me a phrase he picked up at work (He’s a Police Lieutenant.). It says, “That which you allow, you encourage.” This is not a phrase just limited to crime, however. To me, it speaks…
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Replacing Fears with Faith
I’ve heard it said that worry is wasted energy. I recall my mom sharing that when she was younger she would occasionally worry that one or both of her parents might die from a stroke. Who knows why she feared…
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Only Hope ~ A Song
All week long my 7-year-old has been singing back to me the lyrics of “Only Hope.” This is a biographical song I wrote when my dad was trying to recover from cancer. During that time I witnessed my mother’s incredible…
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Supported by Love
Recently I’ve been reminded of the old adage, “A burden shared is a burden lightened.” Many people prefer to sort through their troubles or concerns in isolation. Yet when we go it alone for too long, we run the risk…
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Awakening in the New Year
Recently I’ve been revisiting wisdom taught by various spiritual teachers about being present. For example, I really appreciate this quotation by the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu: “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are…
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One Last Embrace of 2019
In a gift exchange over Christmas I received Parker Palmer’s latest book, “On the Bring of Everything; Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old.” I’ve wanted to read it since I first heard about it. I like Palmer’s style of writing, with…
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Turn On a Light
Here we are at the darkest time of year, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I realized recently that, in all of my preparations of cleaning, decor, presents, and menus, my key daily spiritual practices got edged…
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Stay Close ~ A Song
The featured song this month is the final track on the “Calling Deep” album, “Stay Close.” “Stay Close” expresses comfort in being spiritually linked with someone when physical proximity is impossible, for whatever reason. It’s an acknowledgement of bonded souls…
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Waiting With Mary
Advent, for me, is often a reflection upon the life of Miriam (Hebrew version of the name Mary), mother of Jesus. Though Jesus is the central figure of the Christian tradition, the one whose life we celebrate at Christmas, Mary…
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