Ouch!

I was in class last week and make an off-handed political comment that I felt was harmless. The next day one of the class members called and shared her feelings about what I had said. I apologized and could completely relate because I had been offended when I was in the company of others with political differences and heard their hurtful comments. Really, I know better than that.

Later that day I recalled my previous blog post quoting President Obama quoting scripture..."it is time to set aside childish things." I realized that remarks like that are the childish things…judgments, criticisms, ridicule, belittling, blame, etc. They do nothing to empower and everything to sap energy.

I received a powerful reminder this week of the power of the word. One I won't forget soon.

Time to set aside childish things...

"In the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history, to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
President Barack Obama


It's been an awesome day. An unforgettable one. I am grateful for the freedom to speak, the freedom to vote, the freedom to watch our country change political power in peace, harmony and joy.
It's been an amazing day.

Martin Luther King, Jr

1929 - 1968

"Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics,—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

I'm a Tree Hugger

I admit it. I'm a tree hugger. I love to see big beautiful bountiful trees that serve as homes for neighborhood squirrels and birds, provide shade for humans and energy and oxygen for all life. I am very sad when I see those majestic towers cut down to make room for more houses, more parking, more industry. I know it's progress. I know it's change. It still makes me sad.

I saw changes in our neighborhood this week that made me very sad. I promise that if I ever have to have a tree cut down on our property, I will replace it with another. I would like to see an ordinance passed that for every tree a homeowner cuts down, they have to replace it with another or donate to Friends of Trees so they can plant another.

I can't help it. I'm a tree hugger.

Walking is a Spiritual Necessity

I think I stopped walking outside after the time changed in November. It suddenly became very dark, cold and wet. It was a pain to find a time to walk in what little daylight there was. It was too cold and wet to venture out. So I moved my exercise program indoors and was very proud of myself. That lasted oh, about 45 days. Until I hurt my back. Exercise dwindled and so did my spirits. Then the snow came. There was really no point in going outside.

One day I realized that I only went out to run errands. I avoided going out for any length of time. I missed fresh air, my brisk walk, my spiritual ritual. One day last week I suited up with rain gear and boots, scarf and gloves and ventured out for an early morning walk. It felt glorious. Our beautiful neighborhood was even more spectacular. The walk felt invigorating.

Fresh air is freedom, joy, beauty and a spiritual necessity.

One Small Step

A client wants to be more connected to her spiritual practice but she can’t seem to do what it takes to get her practice done. Is it motivation, resistance or fear?
I’ve talked with dozens of people that want something new in life but cannot move forward. They don’t seem to be able to take the steps needed.

Then we suffer. We get upset with ourselves because we haven’t done what we want or achieved the results we want. We judge, criticize, berate and just plain make ourselves wrong. We live in pain.

There is a Japanese technique of achieving great and lasting success through taking small, steady steps called The Kaizen Way. When we achieve one small step, we experience accomplishment! Then take another and another. Each step brings us to the direction we desire.

How do we stop judging ourselves? It takes practice. My favorite technique is to say “That’s interesting’ no matter what happens. I'm still practicing....