One of the main characteristics of our North American society is its focus on money and entertainment. Everywhere we look there are opportunities and offers of services, goods to buy, and recreation. Advertising blitzes us continuously, mostly portraying smiling, beautiful people sharing a good time and taking possession of something they really want. And if… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Awareness
The New Glory Days – Pruning back former glory to find new joy
One of my favorite summer flowers is the garden geranium, with its beautiful, summer-long color. It is the type of flower that you can count on, week after week, month after month. With only a bit of watering, and some essential pruning, they will continue to make your life brighter. Growing up, our family hung… Continue Reading
Climb the Right Mountain
"It takes as much work to climb the wrong mountain as it does the right mountain," says Brian Warren, the Founder of KidsFest. In the same way that KidsFest helps low-income children achieve their full potential, each of us needs a reawakening, and a fresh commitment to truly living our lives. In our busy world… Continue Reading
Subtle warmth and color
Back in the days of wood heating, the fireplace was a central and essential part of the house. Stoked and prodded, fire was a bright orange source of heat, and a strong reminder of our shared interests in warmth and community. Atop the fireplace, on the mantle, was always something of personal meaning to the… Continue Reading
Going Paleo – Sandwich in a Bowl
Sandwich in a bowl : Tuna, cucumber and two types of peppers. Sure it’s a salad but I got it at a sandwich bar. Just ask for a bowl instead of bread ! Unlike other “diets”, the Paleo diet is actually a food lifestyle connecting us to our strong and healthy ancestors. As you can… Continue Reading
What About a Moment?
The sky is amazing. Trees are amazing. Animals are amazing. And we get to experience them. Life is amazing. Love is amazing. People are, well, fascinating, and it’s amazing that we can get along. And we get to experience them. That there is any world here to experience is amazing. Believe in God or not.… Continue Reading
A better life in Barbie-land
One of the best-selling toys our culture has produced is the ever-pretty Barbie, by Mattel. As the father of a former young daughter, I have experienced first-hand the playing, dressing and accessories that Barbie brings to our world. It was a positive time of fun as well as social exploration and learning. When my daughter… Continue Reading
No way to play a guitar
I love music, and I always have. It makes my body move and my spirit soar. I have many favorite songs and passages, and I can listen to them repeatedly — thrilling to the skill and nuance of the performers. My brain plays songs I’ve heard, like a tape recorder in my head. But sometimes… Continue Reading
Know and Show your Heart
In a recent song by Taylor Swift, a young woman laments that her guy-friend cannot see that she would make a great girlfriend. The song, titled “You Belong with Me“, is beautifully written, with a simple, down home beginning and a strong, soaring finale. Listening to the song it is easy to ask, “Why is… Continue Reading
10 ways to guarantee grumpiness
Make a big deal of everything. Sure, we all have things we really care about, but what do we gain by insisting it’s our way or it’s no way? Stress. It’s amazing how the tension evaporates from our shoulders when someone says, “I’m fine with that”, or “That could work.” Have the wrong pet, or… Continue Reading