I love podcasts. On some days, I find time to listen to them on my iPad while eating breakfast, working in the kitchen, riding my stationary bike, brushing my teeth, getting dressed for the day or undressed for bed. They expose me to the most interesting people and enrich my thinking and my life. Recently, […]
Fear
Unexpected and Continuing Gifts of Grace
People often ask memoirists why we write the story of our life. Writing is for me a spiritual practice — an exploration of the deepest terrain of my soul. I felt compelled to write my story. In the beginning stages, I couldn’t have told you why. In my studies on the art of writing memoir, I […]
Noticing
On Monday I had an opportunity to notice how I am being affected physically and mentally by the threats to the protections put in place after the 2008 financial crisis and to the Affordable Care Act. I can’t afford to lose what I lost in 2008. My daughter can’t afford to have another healthcare crisis if […]
Merriam-Webster Happiness
The question at the end of my last post: What words come to mind when you hear the word “happiness?” Pat wrote: Peace According to Merriam-Webster, happiness is the state of being happy. Don’t you just love definitions like that?!? Happy is followed by a very long enumeration of synonyms: cheerful, cheery, merry joyful, jovial, […]
Rare Resilience
“Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.” ~Zen Proverb My experience at the Myotonic Dystrophy Conference on Saturday, October 22, reminded me of this Zen proverb. The morning was full of hope as the doctors and researchers enlightened us about the progress they are making. In their work, […]
Missing the Mark
In the original languages (Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek), the word “sin” means “missing the mark.” In my last post written almost two months ago, I spoke of setting an intention to extend loving kindness to my daughter as she faced her health crisis. She moved into my home on June 16, almost two weeks ago. During […]