The Soulistry Blog

As part of our national recognition of Remembrance Day each year in Canada on November 11th, we sing "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."    Over the years, women and men have stood "on guard," defending borders and peacekeeping far away from Canada.  They've been...

On this night, mid-term election in the United States, tensions are high, anxiety is higher and fear is even higher than that for many in the US and other countries around the world.Mail-in ballots are ready to be counted. People are voting, taking others to vote,...

For many around the world, two nights ago it was All Hallow's Eve (Hallowe'en). Yesterday was All Saints Day. And today is both All Souls Day and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Together, the three days form what is known as "AllHallowTide." If you've seen the...

November, welcome!   In this part of the world , you bring wind.  You bring rain.  And politically this year,  again, you bring ongoing devastations of war, growing tension, escalating fear, economic anxiety and global uncertainty.  But I don't want to focus on those....

A big of history ... in some parts of the world, this night begins the ancient Christian three-day observance of AllHallowTide, predated from Celtic harvest festivals such as Samhain, designed as a time to remember those who have died.   All Hallows' Eve is the...

In the western hemisphere, we are in the Season of Fall/Autumn ... a beautiful time of the year where I live.  After taking this photo, I couldn't help myself. I took a break. I ran down the path, playing with the fallen leaves.  Returning to life-as-a-child, when...

It's Thanksgiving weekend in Canada.Happy Thanksgiving!  For many,  the "How do we give thanks" question arises. Especially the *how* do we give thanks... when there is unemployment or illness in our family?... when there are senseless deaths caused by terrorists,...

A kaleidoscopic tumbling of emotions pierces conversations, thoughts and social media as words are spoken, written, texted and issues of racism, colonialism, fear and hatred surface far too often. While we know that words can wound ... we sometimes forget that words...

We're all different. But we're all IN - a part of - the human race.We are INterconnectedINterrelatedINterwovenINtertwinedINterdependentINterlaced ... and INteresting. Thanks to Canadian artist, David Hayward, for the cartoon artwork and Caterine Hancock for her...

The wise words of my parents "You were given a brain, use it" often surfaced throughout my life. At the age of fifteen, I decided to leave the church of my youth which seemed to expect me to leave my brain at the door.  When I would ask a question I was told "Do not...

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

“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 her son was...

"Mother's Day" (a secular celebration) in North America is not the same as "Mothering Sunday" which is a Christian celebration, celebrated on the 4th Sunday in Lent in the UK and Ireland since the 16th century. Mother's Day is being marked today ... or avoided ......

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*...

It's a new month ... the month of May has begun. HAPPY MAY DAY!Summer is on its way. And in Celtic tradition, the beginning of summer is known as Beltane (Gaelic May Day festival) with celebrations which include the decoration of homes with flowers, bonfires,...

It's April 22nd - Earth Day - a global annual event celebrated in more than 190 countries to show support for the environment. Words by Thich Nhat Hanh are poignant and critical for us all to remember: "The earth is not just our environment.  We are the earth and the...

Whenever you find a Thursday that is sadWhenever you find a Thursday that is lonelyWhenever you find a Thursday that is difficult in any wayhow about welcoming it?How about letting it know you're delighted ... it is here?How about expressing gratitude that ... you're...

The days are difficult, seemingly getting more difficult. We've got to remember to breathe.This simple message may not be earth-shatteringbut it is important,especially when we are stressed, confused, angry, hurting, feeling hopeless or frightened.So ... a reminder:to...

It's here! FINALLY! Finally we have come to the end of Lent, the end of Holy Week. It is Easter! “Alleluia! Christ is risen." "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Huh? What? He is risen? The Resurrection was real? Proof! We want proof that is tangible, reliable,...

We’re almost at Easter! The end of a difficult week is in sight for countless people around the world who are observing Holy Week. But, we're not at Easter yet. We're not at the end of Holy Week. This day, known as Holy Saturday, is one last nudge - one final reminder...