in march of this year, maybe on the coattails of california democratic presidential primary winner bernie sanders, environmental justice advocate katie valenzuela defeated my incumbent sacramento city councilmember steven hansen in an unexpected … [Read more...] about sacramento’s katie valenzuela is the kind of bold politician we need in today’s times
current events
what is light for me to do in these times?
this is part of a multi-part series on discernment. what are my ways of discerning what some traditions would call “god’s will” and what others might call in alignment with highest good for me or what deepak chopra calls communication from our … [Read more...] about what is light for me to do in these times?
is it perhaps time to wake up from this nightmare?
in the 2010 movie inception written and directed by christopher nolan most of the action takes place in dreams or dreams within dreams. sometimes either we or the characters can’t tell whether what we are seeing is “real” or a dream. in the inception … [Read more...] about is it perhaps time to wake up from this nightmare?
affirmative prayer treatment from me: each of us can choose to be love–there is no separation between me and others
during rev. rafe ellis's (sierra center for spiritual living) daily 8ampt spiritual practice today on zoom, i know for myself and for anyone who chooses to accept it that somehow love is operating in as and through us now. that there is no … [Read more...] about affirmative prayer treatment from me: each of us can choose to be love–there is no separation between me and others
i’m sorry, i see this and it is awful–thoughts on the racist virus in my brain
events in minnesota and central park and the surrounding dialogue are swirling in my head and deserve a response. this post from another white woman written as advice to other “well-meaning” white women advises me to basically keep the focus off … [Read more...] about i’m sorry, i see this and it is awful–thoughts on the racist virus in my brain
new york times 100,000 dead front page stirs grief & appreciation for the human spirit
this snuck up on me. i saw online that the new york times had devoted its full sunday may 24, 2020 front page to a list of names and details of the 100,000 who had died from covid-19. it seemed like a very cool idea. the power of the concept … [Read more...] about new york times 100,000 dead front page stirs grief & appreciation for the human spirit
can we sidestep the polarization trap laid for us by the white house?
its pretty clear that the white house declaration of churches as essential throwing it to the states to decide when or whether they can reopen was designed to sow conflict between churches and state governments who are not aligned with the federal … [Read more...] about can we sidestep the polarization trap laid for us by the white house?
does the president’s “positive thinking” succeed or fail?
thoughts about the huffpost piece this morning on the impotence of donald trump’s positive thinking . about a year ago i wrote a piece for general consumption on donald trump and the power of the word. i acknowledge his ability to use it while … [Read more...] about does the president’s “positive thinking” succeed or fail?
i want your liberty restricted, not mine—this is the american way
in some ways this is the dirty secret american dream: everybody wants to be free and wants to constrain others. i certainly have come face to face with the fact that i do. i live in sacramento, california, which i believe is one of the few places … [Read more...] about i want your liberty restricted, not mine—this is the american way
if the cosmic democracy didn’t vote for covid-19 then why are there sea lions on my river?
this morning at least four sea lions are languishing and barking on the pier under the tower bridge in old sacramento on the sacramento river, an inland waterway 86 miles by car (google maps doesn’t have a “travel by boat” option for directions) from … [Read more...] about if the cosmic democracy didn’t vote for covid-19 then why are there sea lions on my river?
would you literally rather die than tell others what you need to feel safe?
i have to stop lying if i’m going to stay safe in the pandemic. in fact, i have to stop lying if i’m going to stay safe period. the problem is my brain tells me the opposite. at some point in my childhood i came to believe that it was not my … [Read more...] about would you literally rather die than tell others what you need to feel safe?
my approval soars for governor newsom in this unpresidented crisis
over the course of the shutdown, i have moved from mild approval mixed with irk to super proud of and grateful for our california governor gavin newsom. while donald trump’s approval rating has fallen several points since the beginning of march, … [Read more...] about my approval soars for governor newsom in this unpresidented crisis