I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen them. November 2nd and there they were … four strawberries in the strawberry planter on my deck, this morning!
We’ve already had our first snowfall yet, they survived the snow and the cold and the rain and there’s another berry “on its way” to full strawberryhood. <g>
So if you’ve had a difficult day … if the rains are causing your arthritis to flare … if traffic was frustrating … if the news brings despair … if the future looks bleak let these strawberries … give you a sweet surprise … put a smile on your face even if only for a second or two.
This time of the year in many parts of the world,
it is or soon will be Winter Weather
At the same time, Political Winter weather is happening.
The nights are dark and bring fear
and political haranguing permeates social media.
Hope is disguised, hidden, not-evident by many
as people wait for the next political explosion.
We must remember to breathe
… breathe for ourselves
… breathe for those who cannot breathe.
We must hold fast and remember
the quietness of peace for ourselves
remember that while the nights may be dark
in one place in the world,
in another place in the world
the nights are light.
We must hold to the hope
that when the night seems dark
– hopeless – in one place
… hope is – somewhere
… prayeris being offered – somewhere
… communion is being received – somewhere
May we hold the light
… for those who cannot breathe
May we say a prayer
… for those who cannot sleep
May we hold hope
… for those who cannot hope
May we remember that there are signs of light.
This night, in a speech by a woman who faces unbelievable odds
yet who fearlessly confronts them.
she spoke a powerful speech.
Seven days before an election
that could determine political light – democracy –
for the people of the United States
the woman spoke truth – and hope.
She named evil
… warned against it
In these politically-trying times
this woman stood tall
spoke with determination and courage
and brought hope
and light.
In spite of living in the reality
of the howling of the wind and the rain in the trees
of the howling of the lies and fear on the airwaves, papers, social media
let us refocus.
Refocus on the good
… not the evil
Refocus on the possibilities
…. not the fear
Refocus on the reality that “this too, shall pass.”
It shall.
Hope IS possible.
Light IS possible.
We ARE possible in this Winter Weather
this Political Winter.
Emails and social media posts from American friends who shared feelings of helplessness, isolation, and fear, lacking strength to face the next “drop of the shoe” haven’t stopped since this time four years ago.. So what has changed? What has changed is – it’s gotten worse. Much worse.
Dear American neighbours, my friends, what is happening in your country is beyond imagining … the hatred … the fear … when will it end? how will it end? will it end?
You may feel alone. You may feel helpless. You may feel frightened as you have never felt before. You may not think you have the strength or courage to face “the next.”
Please be assured that there are people around the world who are holding you all in the Light … praying for you … are “with you” in spirit … are hoping and praying and encouraging you to vote in your this election if have not already done so – and vote in numbers your country has never seen before.
May you vote with ‘hope’. May you vote ‘love’, not hate. May you vote so that this time next year, the answer to the question “What has changed?” will be “A LOT!
… the economy will be better – much better. … news media will revert to its original purpose – inform people with truth no supposition, rumour, pontification, conspiracy spreading … social media will bring people together …the fear and hatred will begin to dissipate as leaders at all levels of government of the United States will be devoted to country, not party.
May all Americans get out and vote Vote for hope!
That’s what millions around the world are doing for you … hoping and praying that you will vote … vote for democracy … vote for leaders who will put the country first, not themselves.
But …. to bring the change you have to do your part and vote!
It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada – Happy Thanksgiving! And for many, the “How do we give thanks” question arises.
Especially, *how* do we give thanks … when there is unemployment or illness in our family? … when there are senseless deaths caused by terrorists, drunk drivers, those wielding machine guns, war? … when abusive substances continue to attract and ruin lives? … when we feel depressed, spiritually dry, lonely, are grieving? … when hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, earthquakes, famine, mass shootings, violence, “isms” are prevalent? … when abductions happen and people of all ages are forced to become sex slaves? … when we don’t know if … war in Ukraine will be stopped tomorrow … peace will come to Palestine/Israel … war will come to our own country … nuclear energy will be unleashed? … when hackers, scammers, spammers disrupt our lives with growing frequency? … when we don’t know when/if COVID or some other nasty virus will attack with even more fury? … when we are uncertain about the future of democracy … when we don’t know if there will be a tomorrow?
History shows that there are always people who give thanks in good times and in bad times … like Henry. Who is Henry? Henry was a farmer from a very remote area where people could only gather for worship at great intervals.On those occasions they would witness to the blessings in their lives since the community had last assembled.
At one such meeting, Henry stood and addressed the people in halting and simple speech:“It’s been a powerful difficult year out there. The fever took our eldest daughter. Then my wife took ill and is still in bed. The spring wheat crop was mostly ruined by floods.And, oh yes, praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
Then Henry sat down.In the midst of personal disaster, Henry paused and gave thanks.
Being thankful each day, takes discipline, especially when there are financial stresses, medical concerns, family problems, scary political tactics, environmental devastations, unrestrained viruses, war and more.
How can we be thankful where there is too much that distracts us from living a life of gratitude? Maybe it is because we are looking for the “BIG” blessings to be grateful for, when there are many “LITTLE” blessings each day?
Think of all the gifts that come absolutely free to most of us. * If you had to pay for the oxygen you breathe at the rate oxygen cost in a hospital, how long could you continue breathing? * If you had to pay for the sun’s heat at the rate of today’s heating bills, how long could you stay warm in winter in the western hemisphere? * If you had to pay for each of your eyes, at the rate eye damages are awarded in court (about $50,000 for the loss of sight in one eye), how many eyes could you afford? * And the list goes on if we pause and reflect on these gifts.
While I believe that the Henry’s of this world live “Thankful Living” lives, I also believe that there are more Henry’s than we know!
At Graduation ceremonies several years ago, almost a hundred students filed into their High School auditorium. Speeches were offered, but because of legal issues and court decisions at the time in their area, no prayers or blessings were allowed to be offered in the school.
When the last student came to the microphone, the students in the auditorium all suddenly sneezed! The student at the microphone looked at the students, smiled, and clearly, slowly and confidently said “GOD BLESS YOU!” The audience exploded into applause. The point had been made. A unique way to invoke Divine blessing on their future? You bet!
May each of us “sneeze our way” through our Thanksgiving (whenever they happen), and realize, that in spite of the angst and fear and unknown (in the world and our own personal stuff), there is always something for which we can be thankful and experience at least one little blessing.
Aaaaaccchhhooo! Blessings upon all Canadians who are marking Harvest Thanksgiving this weekend. Blessings upon the people dealing with hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding … the threat of war in their homeland … injustice … political leaders who lie and then lie again and then lie some more Blessings upon all who are finding life stressful, and aren’t able to even “think Thanksgiving” let alone “live *giving thanks” (Thanks-giving). May we pause and find one thing for which we are able to give thanks each day – the blessings in our lives – and particularly for those celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving in Canada.
Happy Thanksgiving! Aaaaaaachhhhoooo!
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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.
While we know that words can wound … we sometimes forget that words can also heal. While we know that words can cause confusion … we sometimes forget that words can also bring hope. While we know that words can bring division … we also forget that words can also bring reconciliation.
Reconciliation … a much-talked-about word in many places and is a word that has begun to be put into action. This day is a national holiday in Canada. Every year on September 30th, the “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” is marked to encourage Canadians to engage with their colonial history, to raise awareness of indigenous cultures, and to honour the survivors of the Canadian Residential School system. That system forcibly removed more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families, subjected them to assimilationist policies, as well as other broader injustices faced by indigenous peoples under colonial rule. This day, Orange Shirt Day, many wear orange-coloured shirts as a reminder of the missing children.
When apartheid ended in South Africa, the government sought to transform December 16th into an annual symbol of unity rather than division, creating the National Day of Reconciliation to reflect on the country’s progress in overcoming its painful past, to promote social cohesion across racial and cultural divides, and to raise consciousness about historical injustice.
As issues of racism and colonialism are rising throughout the world, giving fear and hatred through words., the word ‘reconciliation’ must become a reality – within our families, communities, countries, globally – for we all share this planet Earth.
In the exchange of words, may there be sensitivity to those whose opinion differs from our own. May we be empowered with compassion for those who are hurt by the opinions of others.
May we be enabled to move beyond woundedness, confusion, and fear, and not retaliate with words that wound, confuse, and instil even more fear.
And may we be energized with hope … hope that gives life … hope that encourages … hope that empowers reconciliation in word and action.
May we “find the courage to look at our past with eyes wide open, unafraid to see our country at its worst and then humbly, take steps to heal the damage done.” (Globe and Mail)
I was in awe when this exquisite flower first opened its petals.
Awe filled my heart even more as raindrops fell leaving their mark on the exquisite petals … tenderly embracing ……… gently blessing …………. its fragile petals.
When raindrops of sorrow touch our bodies, minds, souls, may we allow the tears to well up and flow and healing can begin … tenderly embracing …….. gently blessing …………. our fragile souls.
On this 23rd anniversary of 9-11, the world remembers. We remember the fear, the terror, the bravery, the sacrifice, the horror of it all.
The world specifically remembers … the First Responders who died.
The world remembers … those who struggle with ill health since being near Ground Zero.
The world remembers … those killed in the twin towers & planes.
The world remembers … those who continue to grieve … those who deal with PTSD and health issues because of that day.
The United States went through a devastating time September 11th. The United States is going through a turbulent time now. Canadians stood with our American neighbours then. Canadians stand with our American neighbours now.
May each of us … remember the day… remember the lessons … remember.
Do you remember – when you surprised yourself by singing … creating … laughing out loud … dancing a few steps in an unexpected time/location?
– when the contrast of sky and trees … night and day … sunrise and sunset – brought a sense of wonder that filled your soul?
– when a deep part of you that you’d long forgotten was awakened by the colour of a flower … the sound of an instrument … the taste of a meal … the touch of love … a moment of silence in the midst of a chaotic day?
– when the laughter of a child … the smell of a newborn … the antics of a pet … the unexpected embrace of a loved one … the personal words that accompanied a “Happy Birthday” greeting … the fragility of life … the flutter of a hummingbird’s wings … reminded you that there was “something more” to this world?
– when you followed that “still, small voice within” making a decision?
– when the concept of sacredness brought a sense of peace to your soul … and you couldn’t explain it to anyone, or even yourself?
– when, in spite of personal difficulties, fears, doubts, you … chose to put one step in front of the other … chose to take the day, one moment at a time … chose to whisper ‘hope is possible’.
These are moments when we touch the holy – the sacred – that which moves us to a sense of awe, that “je ne sais quoi” because it is indefinable, inexplicable, and deeply moves us to a place/space of reverence that can but does not need to be connected to the common understanding of the divine.
Those are moments when the Holy as we understand it, touches us.
In these difficult days of political rhetoric … divided families … countries at/on the brink of war … flagrant lies from people in leadership positions … financial instability … diminishing health … global climate concerns … and more, may we be observant to the holy, remember the moments when we have touched the holy, and be receptive to the moments when the Holy touched us for, whether we use that word, we have encountered Something Beyond Ourselves and it changes us – whether we know it, whether we acknowledge it, whether we believe it or not.
Trigger Moments – they come; they go; they can ambush without consent.
Trigger Moments bring us back to a time and place with a loved one who has died or who is dying … who has dementia and whose mind is dying … who is missing and not yet found … a much-loved canine/feline friend who has died or for whom we have made the difficult decision for a veterinarian-assisted death.
Trigger Moments enter conversations and thoughts in other ways … catalyst for recovering addicts/alcoholics to slip … PTSD flashbacks … COVID19 when thoughts of “what was, is no longer” surround and affect on all levels: body, mind and spirit.
Trigger Moments can be sweet. Trigger Moments can cause deep pain. Trigger Moments can intensify the desire to have “just one more” conversation … one more laugh … one more time to travel … one more opportunity to be together in holy silence in the Studio or garden, creating … one more embrace … just one more “we” moment.
When those Trigger Moments show up, when the tears flow and we are helpless to stop them, it is natural to want to “get over it.” I know that I do.
Instead, I let the tears flow … do some gentle, deep breathing … and acknowledge that the tears and sadness are part of the grief experience and I am not “losing it”.
Trigger Moments. In those moments, I know I need to care for – and take care of – my husband’s wife … me.
And I do – finding comfort in sitting on our deck beside the chair my husband used … sipping cold lemonade, enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty of our back yard … feeling his presence in a gentle way … and knowing that eventually, the Trigger Moment which left me reeling with the pain of loss, will pass.
I know that Trigger Moments are a natural part of healing from loss. I don’t like them. I know that there will be other Trigger Moments.
All I can do when they come is … let the tears flow and deep breathing happen … remember that such moments are part of the grief experience … recognize and accept the reality that in time, healing will come … take comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah “joy shall come, even in the wilderness”.
Grief is part of life.
Trigger Moments come. Trigger Moments go. May they not be resented. May they not be despised. May they be welcomed as part of the grieving process as part of the healing process as part of the circle of life.
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The tomato plant in this photo was last year’s attempt to grow tomatoes. This year, I didn’t even do this well! I got four mini tomatoes and no, they weren’t supposed to be mini tomatoes. My guess is that I didn’t water the plant enough. I’ll try again next year. And remember to water the plant each morning. 🙂
· 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.
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!
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.
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!!
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?
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 the sky, words on a page in a book, a face looking back at me in the mirror reminding me of Mom, strawberry leaves poking their heads above the straw, a grocery reminder list, a rainbow,
When I opened my eyes that morning, I expected to see awe and wonder. I wasn’t disappointed.
They, and joy and gratitude appeared … in the ordinary and the spectacular … above and below and behind and around.
What I saw when I took this photo of a rainbow, was breath-taking. Rainbows always take away my breath for a moment.
But other things take away my breath … like the possibilities which abound each and every day by looking and seeing, by being grateful, and looking beyond the obvious.
Downloading my photos another breathtaking moment … as I saw what was a double rainbow because when I took the photo, I didn’t see the double rainbow.
Maybe this was a gentle reminder of what may appear when we consider ‘beyond the obvious’ in what we see and what we hear in what we believe and even what we think we see, hear, believe.
Sometimes the learning, the lesson, the spiritual growth is obvious. Sometimes the learning, the lesson, the spiritual growth is “beyond the obvious.”
