The Soulistry Blog

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 -...

Gratitude today for the gentle reflected image of boatsbringingStillness of water… peaceStillness of mind… peaceStillness of body… peaceStillness of soul… peaceMay it be so as the reality of what happened at a presidential rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 is...

  · in the midst of tearslight raindrops on flower petalsreveal beautysomething about whichone can be gratefulif soin the midst of personal tearswhat are you grateful for todayif soin the midst of political tearswhat can we be grateful for todayif soin the wider...

Have a look through the peekhole ... what is on the other side, if the head of the ultra-conservative very radical-sounding Heritage Foundation and architect of Project 2025, Kevin Roberts, has his way, is devastating. He stated: "We are in the process of the second...

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

Proud to be a Canadian?  Yep.   Happy to be a Canadian?   Very much. Grateful to be a Canadian?  ... Understatement. However you will be marking another anniversary of this country, there is much that is good, in spite of the frustrations and problems. It is easy to...

took a drive down a road not travelledand discovereda chair by the river that called and spoke come - sit - restgaze - ponder - exhale worryquestion - dream - writesketch - inhale peace - feelbelieve - be - that chair - a blessingthose surrounding trees - a...

The first time I heard someone look at something I had created and say "June, you are an artist," I was taken aback. An artist? No, not me. I can't draw or paint or do calligraphy or sculpt or quilt or ... I just play. And then it dawned on me ... just as beauty is in...

Yom Hashoah begins this night at sundown.  It is a time for Jews and all of the world to pay respect to those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule - millions of people: gypsies, gays, clergy, ordinary citizens, Jewish people, many of whom had no idea they had...

I saw children shooting hoops,a crocus, snowbells, daffodils,an art gallery on ZOOM,dishes that needed to be washed,a mom with a smile, pushing her little one in a stroller,a cashier wearing a mask,weeds growing in the yard,colour on leaves, on cars, on clothing, in...

It's not a good day for many in the world. And especially not for those in Ukraine. Two years ago today, Russia invaded Ukraine.And on this, the second anniversary of that terrible event, tangling in colour helps distract me from the sterile black/white images in my...

Difficult times.  These are difficult times. It's not unusual to feel "down" about the future of this world.  It's not unusual to not be able to feel joy.  It's not unusual to want to curl up with a book in bed or binge on tv shows that take one's mind away from war,...

Tomorrow, February 14th is going to be an unusual day for those who like to mark Valentine's Day and for whom Ash Wednesday is part of their faith. This year, they both occur on the same day!Around the world, people will gather to receive the ashes on their forehead...

A true story: He was about eight. She was about seven. They were talking about another child, a classmate who stuttered. When their mother said "She can't help it. Be kind," the two children laughed. "Why?" the boy asked. "You make fun of Mrs. Baker. You're not kind...

The month of February can be difficult for many. Social media and local stores focus on Valentine's Day to the hilt. Many have outlived their partners ... parents have outlived their children ... children have outlived their parents/siblings ... close friends have...

Why do we focus on that which separates?Why do we dwell on differences? Surely, regardless of,.. religion... ethnicity... gender... geographical location... sexual identity... financial status... language... birthing order... education... ability... sexual...

When I saw these images, I was reminded of words in the Old Testament: (we are) "fearfully and wonderfully made." <Psalm 139 verse 14>. In the context of Biblical times, the word 'fearfully' was not based on today's understanding of 'fear,' but based on the-then...

Last week, there were no daffodils beginning to grow and no cyclamen flower blooming. I knew they were there ... but they had been covered with snow. A lot of snow! The snow was on the streets, in driveways, in gardens, in parking lots. Over a foot of the white stuff...