We all carry pain, the question is: What do we do with our pain? Growing up, my parents would disagree with style! And by “style”, I mean their arguments were explosive like the 4th of July. They were real doozies! This, plus the way differences between my dad and uncles also turned into fights, and how other family … Continue reading Transforming Pain into Gain
I was lost, lonely, empty, and confused for a stretch of time during, and after my second divorce. I didn’t know why she’d picked that path, and couldn’t make sense of it. Reflecting deeply on my part and how I could learn and grow from it, though, was what brought me back to “life”, so … Continue reading Flourishing Through Life’s Hardships
I can't wait until ... things go back to normal, a vaccine comes, we can freely hug one another, our political and racial divides heal, I graduate, warmer weather comes, and the list goes on. What's on your "can't wait until" list? Mary Oliver said, "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world." As … Continue reading Being Great Full
When I make dinner I listen to music, while dancing and singing (loudly). In fact, not long ago I was especially into a song, and mid-chorus saw a lady walking by outside give me an "are you possessed?" look. Whether you can carry a tune or not, there's something powerful and healing about singing at the … Continue reading Sing at the Top of Your Lungs!
We watched "The Princess Bride" with my daughter the other day, and I was struck by the wisdom of a famous line from Westley to Buttercup: "Life is pain, highness. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something." When I avoid uncomfortable feelings inside me, awkward conversations with my wife, disagreeing with friends, and so on, I … Continue reading Growing More Awesome by Going Into the Awkward/Uncomfortable
What do you and I do with suffering? There is SO MUCH hurt, fear, and pain in the world. Even when my family, friends, and I are doing great, watching the news, reading the headlines, and so on brings me face to face with sorrow. It's unavoidable. My bias is to ignore it, make a … Continue reading Meditation on Transforming Suffering Into Sweetness
First the falling, then the rising. Over the past week a few people shared heartache, struggles, fears, and other painful stuff with me. Being wired for optimism, I wanted to quickly sugarcoat these hurts or move past them. Knowing this about myself, I've been practicing going INTO the pain instead of around it; taking time … Continue reading Meditation on Finding Peace & Wholeness by Diving Deep Into Our Hardships
LIFE IS HARD. I think we all realize this sooner or later with death, abuse, loss, unemployment, miscarriage, severe illness, addiction, and so on. On this topic, author and spiritual sage Richard Rohr observes: "The Buddha said again and again, 'I teach only suffering and the transformation of suffering.' As I often say: If you do not transform … Continue reading Meditation on Transforming Our Suffering: Becoming Better Instead of Bitter
Grace and Peace Yoga 