Lately, I've felt a bit like Rodin's Three Shades on the Gates of hell pictured in the permanent collection of San Francisco's wildly under-appreciated Legion of Honor museum on the bay's edge. "Abandon hope all who enter here," reads Dante's … [Read more...] about Meditate, Agitate, Do What Brings You Joy: Above All Don’t Abandon Hope
spirit & personal
Four Snouts Up for Wicked: Who Is Good & Who is Evil These Days?
(:)(:)(:)(:) I finally saw the movie Wicked (part 1) the other night (several weeks after most people probably did), and it sparked many thoughts: History decides who on the world stage is "good" and who is "wicked" or evil. My entire lifetime, … [Read more...] about Four Snouts Up for Wicked: Who Is Good & Who is Evil These Days?
What’s Your Hidden Talent for Connection? (while you follow the people making change)
I hold myself out as an author, a teacher, and a minister, but not anything to do with animals. So why do I keep facilitating communication between people and their pets? It happened again this past weekend. Someone's cat had been deathly ill for … [Read more...] about What’s Your Hidden Talent for Connection? (while you follow the people making change)
Get & Stay in Denial: No, No, No, It Is Not So
In my circles, people are really into affirmations, but seldom denials. With the week in American politics we just had and the year we're facing, I think some denials are in order. Most people know what affirmations are, but in case you're … [Read more...] about Get & Stay in Denial: No, No, No, It Is Not So
What if we proclaimed our own executive orders?
As you may know, on his first day in office, the new/old president of the United States issued multiple executive orders. Some, like declaring that children of unauthorized immigrants born in the United States are no longer citizens, have already … [Read more...] about What if we proclaimed our own executive orders?
How Envy is the Root of Resentment
This just in: there's a good chance every person you resent, you also envy. "No," you say? "Not me, Sara. That makes no sense. I resent the people I resent because they're awful--what could I possibly envy about an awful person? Try to be … [Read more...] about How Envy is the Root of Resentment
Our Two Week Phillippines Winter Holiday Itinerary
My family and I recently chose to spend our Christmas vacation in the Phillippines. The reasons were random and probably wouldn't be yours: our daughter was traveling the world (in Vietnam right before this time) and my husband had lived in the … [Read more...] about Our Two Week Phillippines Winter Holiday Itinerary
I Know What I Need to Do, How do I Get Myself to Do it?
I'm preparing to lead this "Healer, Heal Thyself" support group for one year starting in January. As interested as I am in the tools that have worked for me and others to get well (whole foods, exercise, meditation, gratitude, forgiveness, service), … [Read more...] about I Know What I Need to Do, How do I Get Myself to Do it?
How to Find the Perfect Friend (hint: spend time with them)
Do you spend a lot of time looking for the perfect partner or friend, one who really meets your needs or shares your interests? Does that work? There's a prevalent mythology that we connect with people by having mutual interests, mutual sense of … [Read more...] about How to Find the Perfect Friend (hint: spend time with them)
What if Plenty is Enough and Enough is Plenty?
For obvious reasons, everyone talks about gratitude at Thanksgiving, but what about the concept of "plenty"? Isn't Thanksgiving a time for sharing what we have with one another? And don't most of us have "plenty"? Strangely, another word for … [Read more...] about What if Plenty is Enough and Enough is Plenty?
I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, I Thank You, I Love You or Wine, Chocolate & Impulse Purchases?
We all yearn to hear these words from someone, but do we say them ourselves? This past week, as I toggle between despair and anger at the election of a narcissistic potentate, anger seems the better option. Wine, dark chocolate, and impulse purchases … [Read more...] about I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, I Thank You, I Love You or Wine, Chocolate & Impulse Purchases?
Finding and Articulating the Democratic Party’s Part in This Election
Finding and Articulating the Democratic Party's Part in This Election: It is my firm belief that hatred of "the other" has fewer places to grow when people have housing, healthcare, job and food security. So, those of us who are envisioning and … [Read more...] about Finding and Articulating the Democratic Party’s Part in This Election