The Soulistry Blog

On this, the Second Day in the Season of Christmasmay the "two turtle doves" as in the "12 Days of Christmas" song notesbe ... Two Times the Gift of Insightabout the true meaning of the Christmas Message. Two Times the Gift of Patiencewith others and ourselves. Two...

Traditionally, in Christian liturgical tradition, Christmastide (The Season of Christmas) slowly developed ... even before the early Middle Ages. By the fourth century, western Christianity had agreed that December 25th was the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ...

Whether marking the next 12 days as a religious tradition or religious belief, may the Christmas Season (all 12 Days!) be a blessing in ways none of us can imagine. Let's think possibilities! May we enjoy each of the 12 Days of Christmas.On each of the 12 days of...

As I sat in the stillness of early Christmas morning in a quiet time of meditation, the angel on the Christmas tree, dressed in white satin and tiny pearls, softly blew on her trumpet. "Hope" she gently trumpeted."Hope for those who feel hopeless.  Don't lose sight of...

Today is Christmas Eve in this part of the world.    And for many, it's a special time.   Or, is it? Do you remember Archie Bunker of TV's "All in the Family" fame?  In one Christmas Eve episode, Archie said to his wife Edith: "Stifle, Edith. Let's have a little...

It's December 23rd -  the "eve of Christmas Eve".  I've been hearing a concern from many who say something like ... "I've not finished making/sending my Christmas cards  - or received cards from friends I forgot to include in my Christmas card list?   I meant to, but...

Have you read (and heard people complain) about the use of "Xmas" ... instead of the use of "Christmas" in advertisements, cards, written greetings? Have you begun to hear TH​OSE PHRASE​S yet? You know the one​s ... "Happy Holidays" ​and "Seasons...

Winter Solstice is December 21st: a time in this part of the world when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, bringing the fewest hours of sunlight of the year, colder temperatures, snow, dangerous icy roads, power outages, warning of bomb cyclones,...

My dear friends, Tomorrow,  December 21st, is the longest night of the year.  It's Winter Solstice, in the final week of Advent, just days before Christmas.  This is the time of the year when many are expecting to feel joy, be that because of their celebration of a...

Is the story true?  Did it really happen?    I like to believe that in every legend, every parable, every story, there is a tidbit of ‘something’ that can bring good news.   The legend of the Poinsettia plant might be such a story - if it is true.   But even if it is...

In this part of the world - the days are short - the nights are long - the weather is dreary.Many are experiencing darkness regardless of the weather, the time of the year/day.Darkness of the soul. Darkness of the mind. Darkness.When the darkness seems to permeate,...

Grief is such a powerful emotion. Being able to participate in a funeral, a Celebration of Life, a Memorial service for someone who has died, can be a helpful ritual. But what about when such events aren't happening, or Mother Nature interferes and travel is...

This Sunday begins the third week in the Season of Advent ... the week of joy ... and a story that is true.The baby was given two names at birth. Gene (her father was expecting a boy) and Dolores. And so began the life of Gene Dolores. Raised in poverty, Gene...

Oh, how our world needs peace. Oh how we, our families, our communities, our neighbourhoods, our countries, our world needs peace. But fear, busyness, worry, grief, physical pain, guilt, sleepless nights, and those “what-if’s” creep in. And then there are the actions...

A still, small voice ... whispers “Where is the hope?”A circle of friends gather, light candles and through tears, gasp “There must be hope.”Nations of people ... shake their heads and mumble “Is hope possible?” Phrases like... "It's hopeless"... "I can't even hope...

Whether we like it or not, stores are beginning to display Christmas decorations and play Christmas music; Christmas trees are going up in homes, businesses and offices; inflatable Santas are appearing on lawns - and it's not even the month of December yet!    Why the...

I cannot stop thinking of the people in Ukraine, still living in terror as explosions deafen. Today, food shortages are critical, the cold and snow will soon gnaw at bodies, medical supplies and services are almost non-existent and visible exhaustion is on the faces...

I love watching them poke their heads above the ground, changing their location every year in the back yard, making their appearance in so many different varieties. Intriguing and delightful, they put a smile on my face every year. What are "they"? Mushrooms! It's...

"Joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair" wrote author and aviator Anne Morrow Lindbergh.  Is it possible?   Can joy ever spring from the cliffs of despair? I remember despair emerging as I heard responses by government officials when...