It’s raining a lot in California this year (a break from a decade of drought), so I’ve had to get re-acquainted with my rain gear and my tolerance for getting wet. Because I’ve lived in many corners of the US (and known a lot of humans), I’ve seen … [Read more...] about pop quiz: How you are with rain may be how you are with life
current events
Maybe we need a marriage of spirituality & politics… to reveal a world that works for everyone
Ever since I (gently?) mocked others for being “La la la la la, I don’t listen to the news,” I’ve developed a sudden aversion to the news. It makes sense, of course. I can’t remember a worse stretch of news in my lifetime. My self-inquiry led me back … [Read more...] about Maybe we need a marriage of spirituality & politics… to reveal a world that works for everyone
La La La La La (I don’t listen to the news)
But maybe I'll drop off a casserole for the family of Renee Good... Some people in my orbit proudly state that they’re shutting out all politics (hence, most news) as “divisive.” They say things like “I just don’t need the disturbance,” “everyone … [Read more...] about La La La La La (I don’t listen to the news)
Happy New War oops I mean Year — yes, it’s dysfunctional to pretend it isn’t happening
As we start a new year, the government starts a new war; we may be affected by this and other events in the news (such as an ICE protester being shot and killed in Minneapolis yesterday). Yet, many of us are walking around pretending like it isn’t … [Read more...] about Happy New War oops I mean Year — yes, it’s dysfunctional to pretend it isn’t happening
Sweet Baby Jesus, save us from this nightmare
we've waited long enough Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Matthew … [Read more...] about Sweet Baby Jesus, save us from this nightmare
Cooperate with the reality you want (not the one you don’t)
Did you ever have one of those snaps of yourself that you judged at the time of taking, wishing it didn’t exist, but then years later you see it again and think—hmmm, I looked great back then, I wish I knew it? What if that were true about your whole … [Read more...] about Cooperate with the reality you want (not the one you don’t)
We must meet physical force with soul force
we are not about war At Saturday’s 7,000-strong Hands Off rally/picnic in Sacramento, I was saddened that many of the speakers, especially those much younger than I, continued to use the metaphor of war to activate the crowd to action to protect, … [Read more...] about We must meet physical force with soul force
Chewing on Sacred Sticks
“Oh no,” said Matthew, “Toby is eating the ‘sacred sticks’!” Matthew wanted to help me, but his housemate’s dog was busily destroying something important to him. Matthew had recently returned from a pilgrimage to New Mexico, where he had stumbled … [Read more...] about Chewing on Sacred Sticks
Is this my pain? (or is it someone else’s?)
As we proceed through life, we assume that our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and body sensations are our own. I’m willing to believe that some of my thoughts and beliefs, while masquerading as mine, are heavily influenced by the collective … [Read more...] about Is this my pain? (or is it someone else’s?)
Oh Happy Day in this Season of Lent
Last Sunday our New Thought Gospel Choir and I (a humble soprano) performed the song Oh Happy Day (our performance can be seen and heard here starting 1:00:05 minutes in) at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento. As I sang it, Oh … [Read more...] about Oh Happy Day in this Season of Lent
Do You Respect the Rule of Law? If So, Which One?
As we read the news and watch the yard signs popping up around us, we may hear much about the importance of the "rule of law" and whether it's being obeyed. This makes me ponder, do I respect the rule of law? If so, which one? human or … [Read more...] about Do You Respect the Rule of Law? If So, Which One?
Stop Waiting for Permission to Use Your Power
If our new presidential administration has shown us anything, it's that each of us has phenomenal power that we're not using because we think there are limits while someone else does not. Instead, we abridge our own rights and wait for that "someone … [Read more...] about Stop Waiting for Permission to Use Your Power