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 world seems to be going crazy on so many levels. It would be easy to give way to the fear, the anger, the hopelessness, the racism, the hatred.
It would be easy …. but I refuse to give power to evil.
Today, I awoke. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke. I could breathe. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke. I could think. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke, I enjoyed something. Many things. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke. I loved. … I am grateful.
Each day, may we waken and find something each day … no matter how small for which we are grateful.
I picked these flowers from my garden. I am grateful for them and I am grateful that today, I awoke.
Last night, I lit a candle for the people of the United States.
Many are bereft at the news and find fear the occupier of their thoughts.
Tonight, I will light a candle for the people of the United States.
May loyalty to the Constitution rather than loyalty to one man be the underlying motivator for honest responses.
Each night, I will light a candle for the people of the United States for hope.
Whether we light a candle in our imagination in our prayers in real time and space, may hope be lit.
It only takes one match to light one candle … one voice to light a conversation … one conversation to light a change in one person’s vote to something that could potentially mean the end of democracy.
Let’s light a candle. Let’s light many candles. Let’s light conversations. And who knows – maybe those conversations will turn into votes. At this point in time, it’s about HOPE. Let’s keep hope lit! Let us light a candle.
· in the midst of tears light raindrops on flower petals reveal beauty something about which one can be grateful if so in the midst of personal tears what are you grateful for today if so in the midst of political tears what can we be grateful for today if so in the wider scheme of life what can humanity be grateful for today name them name them out loud name them by writing name them so they will never be forgotten even in the midst of tears
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 American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”
WHAAAT?
American lawyer Joyce Alene Vance who served as the United States attorney for the Northern District of Alabama (2009 – 2017) has written an intro to Project 2025’s ideology starting on page 34) and says “He’s (Kevin Roberts) talking about using violence if the majority of American voters don’t agree with his vision for our country. He’s endorsing another January 6, a bloodletting if liberals won’t cave into his view of how the country should be run. If the left won’t “allow” him to have his way, he’s going to make us give in. That’s the man behind Project 2025.”
Please, look through the peekhole – learn about Project 2025 … share what you learn about the Project (which, btw, has already begun) on social media … recognize that this isn’t “pie in the sky” it is as real as were the warnings in Germany in the 1930’s. https://www.project2025.org/about/about-project-2025/https://www.project2025.org/
There is only one way to stop Project 2025 and that is to exercise the right to vote – ignore the hype about the candidates – ignore the rhetoric about what Trump promises – just don’t ignore what undergirds Trump or what undergirds the Kevin Roberts’ of this world.
Today Americans mark their independence from a monarchy. Kevin Roberts is trying to re-create the monarchy.
Remember Roberts’ words: “We are in the process of the second American Revolution”. Not “going to be”. It’s begun. But it can be stopped by one simple act … voting blue – voting the Biden/Harris ticket – choosing democracy not fascism.
Btw, here’s a list of some of the actual things on the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 list:
It’s real. Its implementation has already begun. Read – digest – and recognize where/how you/your loved ones will be affected. No one will *not* be affected.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision took the United States back to July 3, 1776, the day BEFORE the Declaration of Independence. That SCOTUS decision gave Americans the thing that caused them to break away from England – away from a a president-king who’s above the law.
Peek through peep-hole and learn about the depth of the plan of Project 2025. It is not good. It is anything but good. If it succeeds, it will mean the end of democracy. Don’t let that happen – exercise your right to vote and vote for democracy: blue.
“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 be self-evident, that all men <sic> are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
“All are created equal… have certain unalienable Rights”. Really? Unalienable rights since the decision by six men on the U.S. Supreme Court?
Each day I see my bleeding hearts in the back yard wave in the wind and am grateful for ‘bleeding heart’ people around the world who speak out to support those in desperate situations. On this July 4th weekend, I particularly remember and pray for ‘bleeding heart’ Americans who are
… naming the injustice of the SCOTUS decision
… talking about Project 2025 and acknowledging that it has begun and that it is real
… speaking out in support of minorities who face racism, hatred, victimization.
… in solidarity with women who have been told that even if their pregnancy were caused by incest or rape or that their life were in danger, there would be no health care for them
… in compassion for children whose parents can’t provide for adequate housing, medical/dental care, nourishing food, schooling, socialization
… in support of physicians who follow the principles of medical ethics (which include medical confidentiality and non-maleficence, that is not to inflict harm) who, forced to break medical confidentiality by revealing the names of women seeking abortions will commit maleficence (to cause emotional harm) to those who have been become pregnant through rape or incest
… allies of LGBTQ2S+ and those in racially mixed marriages whose lives will be dramatically changed if draconian laws are implemented
… people who stand up for, stand beside, and stand with people of differing ethnicities, skin colours, sexualities, abilities, religions who are mocked, ridiculed, harassed, physically attacked, killed
It is difficult to wish “Happy July 4th” this year when so many are not equal even though the United States Declaration of Independence (posted at the end of this reflection), notes that all citizens “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
They may be “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” but those Rights are swiftly being eroded and destroyed by politicians who have forgotten, or have chosen to ignore, the oaths they took to “support and defend” the Constitution of the United States.
It is difficult to wish Americans “Happy July 4th” for all of the above and more. And yet – and yet there is hope.
May the people of the United States have courage and strength, vision and persistence to Keep on, Keeping On in the pursuit of their unalienable rights by speaking out, speaking up and voting “blue” in November – voting for people who will bring the country back to the democratic vision of their founding fathers and mothers.
Viva les ‘bleeding hearts’! May they continue standing up and speaking out so that inalienable rights will truly be honoured and all will be equal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to dissolve the connection between “this country” and Great Britain, declaring the “United Colonies of North America” to be free and independent states.
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America:
“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
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 criticize. It is easy to point fingers and question. It is easy to wish history revealed different stories.
I doubt there is one country which can claim to be without frustration, dismay, embarrassment, anger, disappointment, shame or combination thereof, as people reflect on the history of their country at some time or other.
For one day – just one day – how about we celebrate … not dwell on the negative. For one day – just one day – how about we focus on the goodness of this country … and not complain. For one day – just one day, – how about we express gratitude … for the privilege of being Canadian.
May all have a happy and safe Canada Day weekend – to all Canadians and all Canadian-wanna-be’s. 🙂
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’, because it speaks of love … love of a daughter for a father when he was fully present as “Dad,” and love of a daughter for a father who began to fade away from being “Dad.”
It was many decades ago when I learned of Dad’s dementia diagnosis.
It was a journey that our whole family took, but particularly Mom, as she watched the man she deeply loved, fade away. Dad was a brilliant man – highly intelligent; articulate; wonderful conversationalist; art historian; consultant for the National Art Gallery in Canada; entrepreneur; stockbroker; loving and devoted father, husband and grandfather; autodidact and listed in Canada’s “Who’s Who.” Not surprisingly, none of us could understand the dementia diagnosis for him.
The “why” questions emerged. At that time, so long ago, little was known about the disease. And there were no guidelines for caregivers.
Mom devoted herself to Dad and as a result, her health suffered. We almost lost her. A decision had to be made and because Mom emotionally couldn’t do that, I flew across Canada to be with them, signed the paperwork and travelled with them to the care facility. While it was one of the most difficult decisions and days of my life, it must have been far worse for both of them.
I lived over 4,000 miles away. My brother lived over 2,000 miles away. He was seriously ill. We couldn’t be there on a regular basis and take some of the caregiving of Dad off Mom’s shoulders. Mom was on her own. As she no longer drove a car, she took the bus – an hour’s bus ride to the facility in the morning, and an hour’s bus ride home at night in all kinds of weather. From the day I signed the papers and Dad moved into institutional care, Mom was with him – breakfast, lunch, dinner – every day. Not surprisingly, her health suffered. We almost lost her. Physically. Her doctor became so concerned that he told her (and phoned to tell me) that she had to stay away from the facility and couldn’t visit Dad for six months. We almost lost her again. This time, emotionally.
She just couldn’t imagine not being with Dad every day. Her grief was compounded by guilt and exhaustion at all levels.
When her doctor intervened, Mom was understandably angry and upset. But she listened, heard my concern for her and my reassurance that Dad was safe and well cared for, did as she was advised and came to live nearby me. Fiercely independent, she agreed to the move but wanted to maintain her independence. Slowly, her health began to improve. And slowly she began to see and understand the importance of self-care.
When she returned to Dad, she was healthy. And, she was wiser. She knew how to balance her time … time with Dad and time for personal rest and re-creation. After Dad died, Mom formed the first Alzheimer’s Association in Ontario. No surprise to anyone who knew her. Mom (Joy Mack) was a woman of many gifts and talents. She was a courageous woman with a vision who was determined to help people in Canada and their families faced with the diagnosis of dementia/Alzheimer’s and to this day, thanks to her, the Alzheimer’s Association in Ontario is an integral source of information, counselling and support for those dealing with dementia either as caregivers or diagnosed with the illness.
That was long ago. Today, diagnoses of dementia/Alzheimer’s continue to be pronounced. And as I get older, it seems that particular diagnosis is happening more and more frequently. The road ahead is not an easy one for caregivers of dementia patients. The person they knew, is no longer the same person. As the illness is first diagnosed and then progresses, it can take more and more of a beloved spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent, far away from reality (sometimes, slowly; sometimes, quickly). Gratefully, new medication is delaying progression in many instances but still, the changes are evident and there is deep pain at all levels for all concerned.
While dementia patients endure many basic frustrations and losses (memory is only one), caregivers endure frustration and loss when changes in their loved one emerge … the ability to enter into a meaningful conversation becomes short-lived or non-existent … the ability to understand banking or technology or recipes or even how the phone works becomes short-lived or non-existent … the ability to understand it to be a particular day or month or year … the ability to remember a birthday or anniversary or Christmas etc..
As the illness progresses, things can change for the caregiver even more … loss, grief, reality set in as the realization that the above ‘abilities’ are not functioning and no matter what they do, they cannot help their loved one to regain those abilities … stress can bring physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional responses / reactions – not sleeping well – exhaustion – not able to concentrate – anger – reliance on alcohol / prescription drugs / medication to help ‘get through the day’ – social isolation due to not wanting to leave their loved one alone for too long – frustration at having to repeat answers to the questions over and over and over – patience is no longer part of their personality – a sense of guilt arises about leaving the person alone at home while the caregiver gets their hair done, goes grocery-shopping, takes a course/workshop, etc..
What to do? Self-care. How that self-care is manifest, is different for every caregiver because every situation is different. But the directions of flight attendants in plane emergencies: (“If the oxygen mask drops down, put yours on first and then help the person who needs help”) are a guide: self care, first and foremost. Dementia is a difficult journey for all concerned – the person diagnosed, family members who try to help by bringing up memories of the past and say “Do you remember when we … you … I did such and such? Do you remember … fill in the blanks.”
The reality is, they don’t remember and realizing they don’t remember only serves to cause them distress. So we must not go that route with them. We must “be” with them – where they are … in their time zone, in their physical space, in their understanding of situations and people. Not insist that they are with us in our time zone, physical space, understanding of situations and people.
My hope and prayer is … that family and friends will remember the importance of not asking the “do you remember” questions. May those who are afflicted with dementia know they are loved. May family members and friends not judge the decisions caregivers make for themselves, or for their loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, for they are doing the very best they can.
And may caregivers remember the importance of self-care and take care of themselves.
First.
Their loved ones would want them to.
*****************
A PERSONAL ASIDE: Yes, this might be an unusual Father’s Day reflection, but hopefully it is seen in light of tribute to a man who faced his devastating illness with courage. The man I remember this day and many other days, Albert Edward Mack (Eddie) was a gentle, wise man – a loving and respectful-of-all-people – man. The lessons he taught were ‘gift’ as I was growing up and even more so now that I am older than he was when he died.
This day, I remember Albert Edward (Eddie) Mack with much love and deep gratitude.
Rest in peace, Dad.
Rest in peace this Father’s Day and all days. You were a wonderful father and I honour you.
Your memory is such a blessing.
“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 “hopeless.”
Hopeless? There are many situations that many think of as hopeless … a marriage on the verge of collapse … a relationship that was desperate for reconciliation … war … a family that was estranged … a body that had run a good race for decades … corrupt politicians – hopeless?
When human problems beset us … when our personal lives disintegrate … when the world seems as if it has gone crazy – it seems that we seek answers from every other physician before we dare to “let go” and “let God” – before we resist putting our prejudices, our loneliness, our anger, our frustrations, our pride, our hatreds, our fears into the transforming hands of G_d, the Holy One, the Creator, the Personification of Love, the Bearer of Hope.
How long will it be before we reach out, like the woman with the hem who touched Jesus’ garment – or before we are like the story of Jairus, the ruler of a synagogue, who was searching desperately for some hope. He’d tried everything and now, one last attempt. When he finally found the man Jesus, he fell on his knees and repeatedly cried … “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hand on her so that she may be made well and live.” Without a word, Jesus went with Jairus. And while that’s all that Matthew’s Gospel tells us, the story appears in Mark’s Gospel as well and carries this story further as we learn that a messenger from Jairus’ home comes and says “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble Jesus any further?” To the messenger, the little girl’s death was the end of the story. There was no hope. There was no point in trying to go further. It was hopeless. Fear set in.
Like the day a phone call brought fear to a priest who the evening of the phone call, wrote about The Not-Knowing-Time:
“An ordinary medical test was done. Anticipating nothing unusual, and yet there was. “Redo the test” said the physician. “Nothing to worry about – but let’s rule out …” So, the test was redone and there it was. Again! “A specialist. I want you to see a specialist” she said Friday morning. The rest of that day was a blur other than that ugly four letter word: FEAR.“Get me to the specialist. Now! Let me know what I’m dealing with so decisions can be made and life can be planned. The fear is not of dying – the fear is of the not-knowing.”
When we are in such fearful and seemingly hopeless situations, is the God-of-All-Knowing the first we consider turning to? Or turn to at all? Jesus said to Jairus: “Don’t fear, only believe.”
In the story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, the social context of the time was a significant factor. She would have been looked upon as ‘unclean’. She was bleeding – she was a woman, a person with no rights, and would have been shunned at the very least for daring to be in the company of the men who surrounded Jesus and to touch reach out and touch the hem of his garment. Perhaps she prayed/hoped that her fears would be relieved.
What of the priest who wrote about “The Not-Knowing Time”? A week after the phone call, another entry in her journal: “Unraveling the Not-Knowing Time.” Sunday night I wanted to stay home and curl up in bed and watch some inane television program, but I couldn’t. I had responsibilities, but in that moment, I hoped that no one would want Eucharist and I could go home. But, there they were … the two of them. “When two or three are gathered together, there am I, in your midst.” Maybe something happened for the two who came to church that evening, but not for me. Nothing happened. I felt no relief – no peace. “The Unknown” still haunted me as walked home.
Home at last. A cup of hot tea brought solace, but no relief from the Fear of the “Not-Knowing Time”. Then came the realization! The panic had subsided. Monday arrived. The panic was no longer there – it was still gone! The phone rang with a message “Your appointment with the specialist is scheduled.” The “Not-Knowing Time” had begun to unravel.”
~~~~~~~~ Many others have desperate situations. Perhaps they arefacing a seemingly hopeless financial crunch … a marriage that is on the rocks … a teenager or toddler that you can’t handle … a parent who no longer can communicate with anyone in ways others remember … a spouse who is imprisoned either in body or mind … living in poverty and/or war, addicted with nowhere to turn … grieving over the death of someone loved very much … a child/spouse/partner/parent who is ill or dying … dealing with their own medical crisis. And the list goes on.
There are countless stories that remind us that no situation is hopeless. Does this mean that if there is enough faith, every dead person will be raised to life on earth? … that money for every financial need will appear?… that everyone who is terminally ill will be cured? … that a job will be provided for all the unemployed? No. What it means is that we will be met in our fears and uncertainties and comforted in our Not-Knowing-Times.
~~~~~~~~ Long ago, there was a wealthy woman, an atheist, who lived in Hanover, Germany. She wanted to prove to the world that there could be no resurrection. She gave orders to those who were to take care of her money after she died, to build a tomb of stone around her, so strong that her body could never rise out of it. Since there was nothing illegal about her request, the men built her a great tomb, and around it, they built an iron fence. What the builders didn’t notice was that a tiny seed fell into a crevice between two of the massive stones and one spring some years later, it sprouted. As the seedling grew into a tree, it pushed aside the heavy stones and the unbreakable tomb was cracked open.
If you go to a place in Hanover, Germany called Gartenfriedhof (Garden Cemetary), ask to be shown the Geoffnetes Grab (the grave that was opened). You’ll have no trouble finding the tomb, because out of its great crack grows the finest tree in the garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The grave was opened. Hope – Love – God – the Creator stepped into Jairus’ life. Hope stepped into the life of the woman with the hemorrhage and healed her body. Hope stepped into the life of the child whose doctor pronounced him to be hopeless. Hope stepped in – into the life of the priest – who wrote “Knowing Time … Holy Refuge”
“Procedures have begun. Nothing untoward showing up so far. Other complications on the horizon. Getting older and having the body not move as it once did is not fun. I must try to “let go and let God.” The talk about the “peace that passes understanding” isn’t just ‘talk.’ It really exists. Should fear well up within me again… should the unknown frighten me … should the “Not-Knowing Time” seem to engulf and entrap and overwhelm and I can’t move beyond it, I hope/I pray I will relax into the gentle, caring, loving hand of God – of Hope – of Love – of the Creator – and allow myself to move into “Knowing-Time” which, from God’s perspective – from Hope’s perspective – from Love’s perspective – from the Creator’s perspective is “Knowing-Time.” Kairos … not Chronos. “Knowing-Time” exists … whether I feel it or not. ~~~~~~~~~~~~
No matter what situation you may be in now – or you may have to face in the future – with God, there are no “Not-Knowing-Times.” There is always hope! Consider this
—- on a wall in Dachau prison, these words were scratched: I believe in the sun even when it isn’t shining. I believe in stars even when I see them not. I believe in God even when God is silent.” In a tiny room in a refugee camp in Sri Lanka, four women were teaching songs to barefoot, dirty, scantily-lad children. Since there was no room to sit, they all stood for this brief respite from the noisy, hot, humid, dusty and impossibly crowded communal living area. On the door, crudely printed, were these words “Life is a gift from God.”
The refugees in war-torn Sri Lanka, the concentration prisoners in Dachau – they knew Hope – they knew Love – they knew another word for Hope, for Love – they knew the Creator, God, By Whatever Name … even in the midst of a terrifying yesterday, a bleak and often hungry today, and a potentially fearful tomorrow.
In many Christian churches today, people are marking Pentecost Sunday – a reminder that the Holy Spirit offers Hope – Love. May we never forget that even sturdy tombs crack open! May we never forget that Hope/Love/God enters lives – enters the “Unknown Times” – enters the moments of apparent hopelessness.
In the midst of it all … just as in the midst of all of our painful pasts, hurtful today’s and unknown futures … we never need to live in “The Not-Knowing Time.” How do I know? The “Not-Knowing Time” story is my story. The words are from my journal.
The Creator – Hope – Love – God – By Whatever Name – is … in all our times: yesterday – today – tomorrow.
******************* Your comments on this and any Soulistry blog reflection are always very welcome and appreciated here.
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 the eye of the beholder, so is artistry / creativity.
But for many years, I denied that anything I had made was creative or artistic. Each time someone made a positive comment on a handmade card they’d received from me or a painting I’d done or a book I’d made, I mumbled something along the lines of “oh, I’m not an artist. I just like to play” and never uttered a “thank you” to the person for their kind comment.
And then one day, I heard my husband deny his artistic talent to someone who had just admired his work at an art show. I was shocked. Hans was an artist! His sketches, paintings, and calligraphy had sold; he and his artwork had been featured in national magazines and art shows; his work was proudly displayed by many in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia. That evening, I asked him why he was so negative about his work and didn’t thank the person for their comment. His reply echoed my thoughts about my own work … “I’m not very good, compared to …”
Ahhh, there was the key – comparison.
Calligrapher Peter Thornton often says “When you look at your neighbour’s work, you see it for what it is. When you look at your own work, you see it for what it isn’t.” Why do we do that? Why do we see the value of our effort and work in comparison with the work of others and not for their own intrinsic worth?
There will always be people who do what we do, only better. There will always be people who are ahead of us on the learning curve – who we admire and want to emulate. But that doesn’t mean our efforts, our work, is of any less value.
That evening, as Hans and I talked about the way we both denied that we were creative/artistic, we agreed to not compare our work with others and try to see ourselves as artists. I’d been a school teacher (variety of subjects) for decades and loved seeing the light come on when a student “got it” – whatever the subject. After that evening, I found myself consciously encouraging Soulistry workshop students to see themselves as artists, not to compare their work with someone else. I hoped that seeing themselves in such a way would make a difference.
When a student wrote and reminded me of the import role of encouragement (of one another – of ourselves), I realized that I’d taken the conversation my husband and I had had, very seriously. The student wrote: “I want to thank you. I drove on a stormy day in October to attend your ‘Picasso Portraits’ class. During that class you quietly said to me, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not an artist.” I so needed that comment at that time. I was questioning why I was “wasting” my time making art and asking myself what the heck I was going to do with all that so-called art that I was generating. I held your comment in my mind. Repeated it to myself often, when needed. And yesterday I sold my first painting!!! I entered a piece on a whim, and it sold on the first day. I am encouraged to continue making art. Because it makes me happy.”
She is an artist! Not because she sold one of her pieces, but because making art makes her “happy.”
I believe that expressing our creativity, our artistry, deepens our spirituality. That deep belief was the inspiration for the birth of *Soulistry* – the workshops, then the book, then the blog, the website, and the Facebook page. And, and it’s why the Soulistry book has a sub-title: “Artistry of the Soul,” for I believe that every person can be an artist.
Whether we are a flower arranger, sculptor, writer, painter, paper artist, surgeon, chef, book-maker, musician, fabric designer, singer, sew-er, cartoonist, dancer, poet, graphic designer, woodworker, gardener, knitter, card-maker, tangler, inventor, jewellery-maker, calligrapher, hair stylist, miniaturist, blogger, weaver, quilter, car builder, beadmaker, etc. … whether we sell our work, win awards, are ‘the best’ in our field, isn’t the issue. When we create, we make a spiritual connection – we are nourishing our spirit – having fun – challenging the synapses in our brain -learning something new – exploring our playful nature – experiencing a sense of happiness and indefinable joy.
Many years ago, at the end of a Soulistry retreat where retreatants created several projects, each was presented with a certificate with their name and the letters C.S.A. – Creative Spirituality Artist – and encouraged to add those letters after their name. 🙂
I like that – not because I made it up <g> – but because it speaks to an understanding of who I am when I create … an understanding of who I believe we all are, when we create.
We are creative artists connecting to spirit aka “Creative Spirituality Artists”. May we all be Creative Spirituality Artists with openness, with abandon, with play and with joy!
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 forexperiencing a wide range of emotions … the women who never birthed a child … the women who birthed a child … the women who miscarried … the women who were infertile (or their partner was) … the women who had an abortion … the women whose child was stillborn … the women whose child had serious health issues … the women whose child ran away and put into custodial care … the women whose child was raped … the women whose child was taken away at birth by authorities … the women whose child was kidnapped … the women whose child died due to the pandemic, accident, overdose, illness, murder … the women who began life as male, but knew they were not … the women whose child lives in fear … the women whose child became alienated from them and there is little or no communication … the women whose adoptions fell through … the women whose artificial insemination didn’t work … the women whose surrogate changed her mind & kept the baby … the women whose child is in prison … the women whose child had a debilitating physical/mental disability … the women whose child committed suicide … the women who were surrogate mothers, carried the child to term, but who never became that child’s parent. … the women in countries at war, trying to be strong for their children while separated from their partners, families, country and living with explosions, food shortages and the threat of rape, annihilation. … all whose mothers have died
With Mother’s Day on the horizon,I think of, and pray for those who are rejoicing because … they gave birth to a healthy child … their child had children and they became a grandmother … they adopted a child … each of us – for we all had a biological mother and were given life.
With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I think of and pray for those who are mothers, but may not see their role to be one of mothering: foster moms, spiritual moms, mentor moms.
With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I think of and pray for those who lost their mother through death or alienation – and all who suffered abuse from their mother.
This year, with the reality that Roe v Wade was overturned in the United States, I think and pray for the countless woman who will be forced to carry a child to term … regardless of rape, incest, age or their own death.
And may acknowledgment of Mother’s Day, be done with sensitivity, compassion and kindness in churches families social media and law courts.
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 Jewish heritage.
Yom Hashoah is a time we remember other moments of terror suffering, past and present too because as Rabbi Michael Lerner reminded us, the task at this moment in history is to “remind ourselves that we are inextricably bound to each other and to everyone on the planet.
Will we will ever truly remember, learn from the past and ask the “when” questions? Questions like … if changes in gun laws don’t happen now … when? … if hatred for ‘the other’ doesn’t end now … when? … if immoral laws aren’t changed by new leadership now … when? … if political leaders lie, steal, are corrupt aren’t voted out of office now, …when? … if children are not given the opportunity for a well-rounded education taught by competent, professional, respected teachers who are well paid now … when? … if those who are addicted aren’t treated as valued human beings who need professional help and are given that help, now … when?
IF NOT NOW … W H E N?
Rom Hashoah is not just a time to remember all who have died in holocausts of the past – but those who are in similar situations now around the world.
It is time to ask the “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” question and expect answers that are honest, compassionate, respectful and helpful.
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* kindness. *Do* acts of justice. “Do” speak up for … the bullied … the disabled … the environment … the mentally ill … the lonely … the impoverished … the victimized … the grieving … the homeless … the abused animals … the frightening slippery slope that has followed the abolition of Roe v Wade … the elderly … the frightened … the planet … the chronically ill … the addict … the growing tension on university campuses … the addicted … the war in Ukraine and the Middle East and Africa and …
We’re going down the Rabbit Hole and further down the Slippery Slope because …
… “First they came for the women who decided abortion was the best response to their pregnancy and I did not speak out because I was not pregnant.
… Then they came for the LGBQT+ and I did not speak out because I was straight.
… Then they came for those who were not Caucasian and I did not speak out because I was Caucasian.
… Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.” (based on Martin Niemöller’s WW11 words: “”First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Yoda set a challenge and put forth a reminder that … change *can* begin … peace *can* appear … joy *can* be experienced … hope *can* be rekindled … voting *can* bring about change …
Perhaps only in oh-so-small steps, perhaps only in oh-so-small glimpses, but change *can* happen when a Yoda Attitude begins in our heart, in our mind, in our spirit, in our action. The change might not happen in the ways we want … or expect … or in the time frame we need. But change *can* happen. “Do or do not. There is no try.” (Yoda).
On this, the fourth day of the month of May, may we have a Yoda Attitude and may the Fourth/Force be with us all. Happy May 4th!
It’s a new month – the month of May has begun. Happy May Day!
Summer is on its way.
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, feasting, making of May bushes; and in France May 1st (known as the “worker’s holiday”), branches of Lily of the Valley are given as tokens of good luck. Joy.
Roses are beginning to open and their blossoms bring colour, sweet aroma. Joy!
And yet, their thorns prick. Pain.
Like roses, life brings joy and pain. And in the midst, there is hope. Look for it. It’s there. Look for it. It is here. Where?
While difficult to see, sometimes even more difficult to experience, as a new month begins, there is always hope … hope – that life will return to a semblance of political normalcy … hope – that people will be, think and speak with kindness … hope – that peace will come to Ukraine, the Middle East, everywhere … hope – that this planet will survive climate change … hope – that neither nuclear nor chemical warfare will ever be used … hope – that A.I. will slow down its rapid development in unsafe ventures … hope because it’s the beginning of a new month.
With beginnings, there are possibilities! Let’s focus on the possibilities the month of May can bring. Not focus on the fear.
The celebration of Passover begins this night. As Jewish people mark the beginning of Pesach/Passover which begins with a Seder (a special meal with various rituals), the youngest Jewish child present will ask the same question which has been asked for centuries by Jewish people in times of despair, in times of joy, in times of knowing, in times of unknowing: “Why is this night different from other nights? Ma nishtanah ha-laylah ha-ze mi kol ha-leylot?” And then the same child will then ask the Four Questions which emerge from that first question.
Each of the answers to those questions will explain why something is done differently this night. * Why is there no leavened bread, only matzoh? * Why are only bitter herbs eaten this night? * Why are the vegetables dipped twice, not once, in salt water? * Why is eating done, reclining on one elbow?
The same answers will come each year on this night * matzoh because there was no time for the dough to rise * bitter herbs as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery * vegetables dipped in twice as a reminder of tears shed * eating while reclining on one elbow to symbolize freedom.
I find myself wondering …“Can Passover be a teacher for people not ascribing to Judaism? If so, what?” As I thought about it, some answers began to emerge.
First – we can learn to ask questions. While I’m not Jewish, I love the tradition of having a child begin the Passover Seder with a question. Children love to ask questions (oh wow, do they ever!), but as we grow older, many stop asking questions and take what others believe to be their truth.
Not asking questions has sometimes led to broken relationships, illness, political uncertainty and war. Why don’t we ask more questions? Curiosity is a wonderful attribute!
When I had questions of the teachers at the particular church my family attended, I heard the same response, over and over again: “All answers are in our two books. Look there.” I did. I didn’t see answers. I saw more questions. Every time I had a question, the response was the same – year after year, after year.
When I was fifteen, I spoke with my parents, telling them that I wanted to leave that church. “Why?” they asked. I told them that not only wasn’t I finding the answers I was seeking in the two books, I was not being allowed to question at all. I remember telling my parents that I believed that I had been given a brain to use, and that because I wasn’t allowed to question anything in the church because all of the answers were supposedly in one of the two books, I believed that I was refusing a gift: my intellect.
My parents agreed and I was given permission to leave that religion, even though my mother continued for many years afterward. How blessed I was to have the parents I had.
I have never stopped asking questions. I hope I never will. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner. I ask questions of religion, history, the Bible, politics, God, the environment, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the situations in so many countries. I ask questions of myself.
I ask questions to political leaders, religious leaders, social media journalists. Sometimes I get answers. Sometimes my questions lead me to more questions. And sometimes, my questions lead me to answers.
But without the questions … So I love the Passover tradition of having a child ask the question.
Second – we can learn to face life’s challenges. The Christian Season of Lent and the Jewish observance of Passover speak of people long ago who faced challenges. As difficult as they were then, those challenges were profound teachers.
Today, each of us faces challenges in our lives. As difficult as they are for us, they too can be profound teachers. Facing challenge is not always easy, but it can be a profound way to learn about life, ourselves, God, this world where we live.
Third – we can learn to take action. The Israelites left Egypt in such haste that they could not wait for their bread dough to rise so they took action with the dough they had, and created unleavened bread – the matzoh – which sustained them. Action!
In another religion – Christianity, the life and story of Jesus is a motivator of action of a literal understanding of ‘love of neighbour’ by those who followed the man Jesus. That story continues to motivate people today into ‘love of neighbour’ as advocacy and action.
Fourth – we can learn to share. Whether it’s food for the body with a meal, or food for the soul with wisdom, the story of a wide table open to all at a Passover Seder (and for those who follow the story of Jesus – the sharing of loaves and fishes) are gentle reminders of the importance of sharing what we have with others.
Fifth – we can learn to be grateful. Life is a gift. Religious teachings undergird the importance of having an attitude of gratitude and not take our precious life for granted. May we be willing to learn from other religions and other peoples.
To those who follow the path of Judaism, may the miracle of Passover live in your hearts forever. Chag Pesach Sameach!
Quote: “Happily may I walk. Happily with abundant dark clouds may I walk. Happily with abundant showers, may I walk. Happily with abundant plants, may I walk. Happily on a trail of pollen, may I walk. With beauty before me, may I walk. With beauty behind me, may I walk. With beauty above me, may I walk. With beauty below me, may I walk. With beauty all around me, may I walk. Wandering on a trail of beauty, lively I walk.
Author: Navajo chant
Soul-Questions
1. What moments in your life have you experienced – “abundant dark clouds” – “abundant showers” – “abundant plants” – “a trail of pollen”
2. How can you “happily” walk, regardless of outdoor weather conditions, your own inner emotional state, the global political angst?
2. What questions have been more important to you than the answers?
3. Consider your understanding of walking and the Navajo understanding. Is there a difference? If so, what?
4. What might prevent you from walking Navajo-style in your life?
5. What is your understanding of ‘beauty’?
6. What do you understand to be the Navajo chat understanding of ‘beauty’?
7. When you go for a walk, reflect on the ‘beauty’ you see “before me”, “behind me”, “above me”, “below me.”
In your journal, reflect on the above questions and how you might move beyond whatever blocked you in those circumstances.
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How to use “Soulistry Soul-Questions” You may want to begin a Journal so your responses are all in one place. Write the quotation. Add the first question and write your response.
Take your time in writing your replies. This is your time. These are your answers.
Then at your leisure, add the second Soul-Question and respond and continue on. Btw, it helps to put the date after each Soul-Question response.
The “Soul-Questions” group on Facebook can be found www.facebook.com/groups/soulquestions
The “Soul-Questions” website can be found at https://soulistry.com/soul-questions-blog-posts
I wish you H A P P Y E A S T E R! and send you a gift: an invitation to explore and work with “Soul-Questions.”
Out of a global atmosphere of fear, anxiety, loneliness, alienation of spirit and continual reminders of the emergency situation in many countries because of climate change, political haranguing, personal stress, a growing concern for emotional, mental and spiritual well-being is growing. Many are finding themselves stressed – uncertain about the future for themselves, their families, democracy, the world. And so, not surprisingly, a growing awareness of the importance of balance – physically, intellectually and spiritually and “listening” to the Voice-Within is becoming an integral way of healing – bringing calm to individuals.
Through a series of over “Soul-Questions” based on 80 inspirational quotations from ordinary and extraordinary people around the world living in different centuries, Soul-Questions offer an opportunity to … know oneself more deeply … reflect on a multitude of issues … embrace life in new ways … ask “what do I believe about …” and in doing so, reduction in stress can emerge. In the process of responding to the Soul-Questions, a deepening of spiritual awareness can encourage the reader on a unique journey of self-discovery.
From the book “Soulistry-Artisty of the Soul: Creative Ways to Nourish Your Spirituality”) the Soul-Questions are, according to Dr. Larry Dossey a method of “finding the silence and attention that a healthy soul requires.”
Some keep their responses to the Soul-Questions in a personal and private Journal; some use them as a jumping-off point for discussion with others who are responding to the questions as well; and some simply quietly reflect on the questions at various times in their life.
You are welcome to join Soul-Questions on Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/soulquestions) – remember to scroll down through earlier postings and “stay tuned” as I’ll be adding more Soul-Questions in the coming weeks/months. You are welcome to contact me for information about purchasing the actual book. And, you can find the Soul-Questions here on the Soulistry website by clicking “Soul-Questions” at the top of the website main page or by going here: https://soulistry.com/soul-questions-blog-posts
Easter has many symbols and themes. One such theme is that of ‘new growth’. Whether you observe Easter for religious reasons or not, may the fifty days of Easter be a time of new beginnings and may Soul-Questions be an oasis of new self-growth, self-discovery, self-understanding and healing – bringing a bit of relief from personal/global stress. H A P P Y E A S T E R!!
This is a difficult time for many. Terrible things are happening. … The people of Ukraine have been invaded and are at war. … Israel, Palestine, Gaza – say those words and people “take sides.” … People flee their homes in the hope of finding refuge. … Fear, anger, loneliness, suspicion, hatred permeate conversations … It’s Holy Week for millions around the world. This is a difficult time for many.
The concept of ‘gentleness’ … the quality of being kind … comes to mind. Gentleness has disappeared and is no longer present. Why? … Can gentleness exist when fear overwhelms? … Can gentleness exist when suspicion transcends reason? … Can gentleness exist when anger rages? … Can gentleness exist when hatred fuels communities, families, elections, countries, politicians so that there is no space for hope to filter in, for fear to be lifted, for hatred to dissipate?
Being gentle does *not* mean ignoring the role we can play by … being a voice for the voiceless … righting wrongs … challenging principalities and powers by our words, thoughts, actions, prayers.
Being gentle *does* mean … speaking in tones and words that don’t threaten … acting in ways that don’t incite … “thinking through” situations and responding rather than reacting. … listening to the voices of those who have walked similar paths before us: Gandhi, Anne Frank, Malala, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus, Elie Wiesel, the Dalai Lama and many others.
Being gentle *does* mean … not giving power to hurtful words in personal emails, social media posts, phone calls, snail mail letters … focus on addressing wrongs in our own community we’ve overlooked or ignored in the past because it was happening to *the other* and not to us, because we didn’t want to get involved, or we didn’t think it would make a difference.
Hurtful words and actions can become activators. They can push us forward so we give financial support to organizations who are being threatened; offer sanctuary in our homes, our cities, our countries; speak gentle words of strength, courage, steadfastness and hope to those who are deeply wounded by the rhetoric and chaos.
Embodying a life of gentleness could mean much to individuals, families, communities, countries and this world.
May we be gentle with one another. May we be gentle with ourselves. “Be gentle with yourself and others. You are a child of the Universe. So are they. You have a right to be here. They do, too. So let us be gentle with others and ourselves.” <an adaptation of American writer Max Ehrmann who penned the “Desiderata.”>
Welcome to “Soul-Questions” one of the Soulistry *umbrella* groups.
The“Soulistry: Artistry of the Soul – Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality”publication offers 80 quotes by a wide variety of authors along with Soul-Questions to encourage readers to listen to the “still, small Voice within” and know themselves more deeply.
The book’s Preface, Prologue and Appendices supplement the Soul-Questions and are available in the print ‘book’ version available through Amazon, the author, your local bookstore, Gumroad. Over time, more of the quotes and their accompanying “Soul-Questions” from the book will find their way to this Facebook group. If you have a particular title from the list below you would like posted here, feel free to write me here on this site or: june at soulistry dot com.
Please note that if you subscribe to this website, you will receive all Soulistry postings directly into your inbox. No record is kept of your email address – no selling of your personal information either.
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TITLES of Quotes and their authors (all with permission to publish) are as follows.
Aging … Mark Twain Aiming High … Michelangelo All Shall Be Well … Julian of Norwich And the Day Came … Anais Nin A Spiritual Experience … Pierre Teillard de Chardin A Spirituality of Play … Margaret Guenther A Spirituality of Work … Confucius Being Remembered … Mattie Stepanek Believing … Verna Dozier Blessed Are You … Jesus of Nazareth Challenge Your Limits … Jerry Dunn Come to the Edge … Guillaume Apollinaire Courage … Ambroe Redmoon Darkness Deserves Gratitude … Joan Chittister Deeping the Mystery … Francis Bacon Doing Good … John Wesley Doing What You Think You Cannot Do … Eleanor Roosevelt Draw the Circle Wide … Gordon Light Excursions to Enchantment … Thomas Moore Faith … Patrick Overton Feeding the Wolf … Cherokee Legend Finding God’s Presence … Herbert O’Driscoll Forgiveness .. Mahatma Gandhi Friends … Kahlil Gibran Gift … Denis Brown Gladdening the Hearts … Henri Amiel God’s Milk … Anne Sexton Gratitude … Meister Eckhart Happiness … Chinese Proverb Hatred Ceases … Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Holding Fast to Dreams … Langson Hughes Hope Has Two Daughters … Augustine Journey Inward … Dag Hammarskjold Keening … Lara Keeping Secrets … Paul Tournier Laughing At Ourselves … Katherine Mansfield Life Goes On … Robert Frost Light From Within … Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Living Life With Confidence … Henry David Thoreau Look Well to This Day … Sanskirt Provert Loving Your Enemy … Jesus of Nazareth May I Walk … Navajo Chant May You Be Blessed … St. Francis of Assisi Mystery … Martin Buber Nothing You Can Do … Desmond Tutu Open Doors … Alexander Graham Bell Peace Within … Jill Jackson Problem-Solving … Anthony D’Angelo Questions That Speak … Chinese Proverb Radiating Intrinsic Goodness … Wangari Maathai Rekindling the Light … Albert Schweitzer Religious Belief … Dalai Lama Rising Every Time … Confucius Risking Frustration … Thomas Merton Secret of the Spiritual Life … Gerald Heard Seeing the Spirit Sparkle … Gwen Weaver Six Letters … Gemma Black Soul Alive … Eleonora Duse Soul Harvest … Lao Tzu Soul Stars … Pamela Vaull Starr Spiritual Mountain-Climbing … Sri chinmoy Success … Henry Ward Beecher The Acquisition of Wisdom … Solomon ibn Gabirol The Art of Being Kind … Ella Wheeler Wilcox The Idea of God … Madeleine L’Engle (Miguel de Unamuno) The Mark of Wisdom … Ralph Waldo Emerson The Only Journey … Raider Maria Rilke The Web of Life … Chief Seattle (traditionally attributed) The Well Within … Thich Nhat Hanh Today I Am Asking … Alice Hancock Today’s Road … Nagarjuna (traditionally attributed) Tomorrow’s Seeds … Chinese Proverb Trusting the Unseen … Ralph Waldo Emerson Vulnerability … Sigmund Freud Walking In and Out … Joy Harjo What Does Love Look Like … Augustine What is Spirituality … Dan Wakefield What We See … Peter Thornton Worldly Inexperience … Joseph Addison In the Appendices: How to Make Your Own Journal The Soulistry “story” Author Biographies About the Author – Who Am I?
June Maffin is a Creative Spirituality Artist, workshop leader, and author of several books books. She lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. [more]