The Soulistry Blog

In the midst of the political rhetoric/reality/anxiety in many parts of the word, this weekend, Canadians are marking Harvest Thanksgiving - a time and opportunity to express 'giving thanks.' Thanksgiving.But these days, many struggle to find something - anything -...

There are no winners in war. Onlylives lostlives destroyedanger released for generationsMay there be peace.שָׁלוֹםسلامpaxpeacepeacein heartsin mindsin soulsin bodiesin familiesin countriesbetween countries~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~© June...

May dark nights and dark days be filled with whispered-dreams to stars above .May Love flood hurting hearts, minds, bodies and souls.*******************© June MaffinArtist: © Nicole Susanne Dreyer Used with permission. *****************************************Nicole...

Fear.    It's palpable.And it's growing ... and growing ... and growing. Fuelled by conversations, social media and political actionsit is a word  that resonates and leaves little space for anything other than fear. What to do? We could let the fear grow and grow...

This weekend, I went to church ... 'Garden Church'.    What's "Garden Church"?    Mmmm, well, if a church is a place for worship, and worship is an expression of praise,  reverence, joy and thanksgiving, then surely a garden with flowers and bees, colour and birds,...

If ... news from the political scene leaves you feeling hopelessfires and floods threaten your home the lack of availability of vaccinations against measles, Covid etc. deeply concerns youclimate control has you worried for future generations you are feeling...

A gentle walk along a rural pathbrought forth images of summers long agowhen a swing under the huge cherry tree in our back yard provided countless hours of relaxation and fun for one little boy - my son. As he swung,his feet would move back and forth to maintain a...

Friends, meet Reginald. For almost four decades, I have loved Reginald.Over the years, some people have told me that Reginald is plain, ordinary, ugly. Sure, ... his legs are bowed. ... his arms are pudgy. ... his ears are big. ... his body is out of shape.... his...

Long ago, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was born. Considered to be one of the most important Stoic philosophers, Aurelius penned these words: "When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive: to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." The...

Last night, I lit a candlefor the people of the United States. This night, I will light a candle again becausemany are bereft at the news and find fearthe occupier of their thoughts.Lighting a candle is a simple actbut if I light a candle this nightand you - and you -...

when life hits unexpectedly, it hurts. and when it hurts, it can wound not just physically not just emotionally not just spiritually. sometimes all three. when life hits unexpectedly and pain results when life brings exhaustion beyond imagining when the rain of...

This month, two wonderful young couples are celebrating the birth of their first child. I shared that good news with a friend and her response was not what I was expecting ... "Why would they bring a child into the world at this time?" she said with fear in her...

"We hold these truths to be self-evident,that all men <sic> are created equal." Tomorrow is July 4th.  Americans will be marking Independence Day and its adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 which includes this phrase: "We hold these truths to be...

Proud to be a Canadian?  Yep.   Happy to be a Canadian?  Very much. Grateful to be a Canadian? Understatement. Today is Canada Day.  Some people are celebrating!  Local towns are having parades ... people have the day off work ... families and friends are together at...

This is not the usual Father's Day reflection.  Father's Day - a day marked in North America and other parts of the world to remember and celebrate the fathers in our lives ... biological, foster, adoptive, grandfathers, etc.  And at the same time, it is 'usual',...

“It’s hopeless. You just have to accept that. Your child will never be a contributing member of society.  I can make arrangements for him to be institutionalized.  It’s all for the best.”Those were the words the doctor spoke, telling the young mother that...

I love learning.  No, scratch that. I'm passionate about learning!  I try to learn something new every day. Some days the learning is huge. Other days it's subtle.Some days the learning is about me ... what I believe, who I am, things I need to work on.  Some days the...

This is a difficult time for many.  Terrible things are happening.... The people of Ukraine continue to be at war.  ... Say the words "Israel, Palestine, Gaza " and people "take sides."... People flee their homes in the hope of finding refuge from fire, ICE,...

With Mother's Day on the horizon, may we be mindful that there are women who will be celebrating and giving thanks while at the same time,there will be women who will be grieving and in pain.All on the same day.With Mother's Day on the horizon, I think of and pray for...

Do you remember Yoda from Star Wars?   A legendary Jedi Master, Yoda may have been small in size, but he was quite the theologian, philosopher and poet. Yoda said "Do or do not.   There is no try."  In those two short sentences, Yoda extended a call to *do."  *Do*...