I recently came across a card I wrote and sealed to myself at the beginning of our doctoral voyage. My little statement of fears, hopes, worries, and prayers from two years ago at Cannon Beach says: Comfort of the known, Fear of rejection/isolation, and Not having much in the way of a “team.” Talk about … Continue reading Open Minds Open Possibilities
Life is a marvelously messy tapestry of threads formed by—not only—all the people, plants, animals, and rest of material reality; but also, by our thoughts, words, and deeds. Shaming, judgmentalism, holding oneself as “better than,” living from fear, cutting words, self-centeredness, an “us versus them” mentality, violence, defensiveness, seeking to “win,” and inner-criticism—for example—all tear … Continue reading Love Al(l)ways
Great friends, the kind you freely share the most blissful and brutal stuff with, are more precious than gold. Even while I walked through the desert of divorce twice, because of loyal friends, I considered myself lucky. Although I struggled to stay alive after my accident in 2008, and spent 6 months in hospitals recovering, … Continue reading Friendship & The Gift of Loyalty
On this Summer Solstice: May we remember, even when we can't see the Light, it is always shining on and through us. May the sun remind you, you are always and forever loved. Just as the infinite twinkle of the stars symbolizes your limitless worth; while the earth lets you know you are at home … Continue reading A Solstice Blessing
Lisa and I had a “moment” as she got home for dinner the other day. A confused and frustrated, “what the heck just happened”, type of deal. Knowing she’d been gone most of the day, done all the grocery shopping, and was running significantly later than she’d planned, I was all set to be her … Continue reading Greet with Grace
Sometimes I’ll half-jokingly, with a straight face say, “I am Ironman.” Partly because after my nearly fatal hiking accident in 2008, the doctors had to use metal bits to put my head back together, and also because I’m a bit of a geek. 🙂 That said, I’d say in a real and powerful way: YOU are … Continue reading Mental Space Makes Room for Grace
I feel SO blessed to be in a wonderful circle of friends who are family, and family who are friends! In reflecting on what makes them so amazing, the word that came to me is “Grace”. Grace is a gift, free of charge, that loves and celebrates you just as you are. Its typically tender hands … Continue reading An Ode/Invitation to Grace
As much as I crave more of Will Farell on the cowbell, what I think we could really use more of these days is GRACE. Inspired by the immortal words of U2, I'd say: Grace finds the goodness in everything and everyone. Grace transforms ugly into beauty. Grace gently carries the burdens, wrongs, and shame … Continue reading Glowing in Grace
I'm balding, need more sleep than when I was younger, am starting to grow hair in new and "fun" places like my ears, have all sorts of scars, and am getting evermore gray-haired and wrinkled. When I dislike such physical and life changes in myself or others, I suffer. When I yearn for something that … Continue reading Dancing With Life Like a Jujutsu Master
My daughter Lara's middle name is Grace. I have a hunch if Spirit, Life, Reality, God, or whatever name/word resonates with you had a middle name, it'd be Grace as well. You see, "grace", as I'm talking about it, means "gift"; neither deserved nor undeserved, but freely given. If I think about it, I truly own nothing. … Continue reading Grace is God’s Middle Name
Grace and Peace Yoga 