Too busy to take care of yourself?   Well, I’m just as neglectful as anyone else who has a family, job and other important responsibilities.  And the reward for putting everyone else’s needs before your own?  No, not martyrdom.  Not even a shiny medal.  Sometimes, not even a “thank you”.  The best way I can express [...]

photos by: Theresa Holder
 
 “Perhaps, the most important thing we can do is
honor whatever season we’re in and not fight it.”  
 
I love this follow up comment from my recent post Seasons Change.  Fellow blog writer Sara  really gave the fighter in me something to think about here. 
 
After reading Sara’s comment, it struck me that while honoring the [...]

 
“When you have fear and do the thing anyway, you are holding on to the hand of God.”
(Edwene Gaines, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity)
 
 
Wouldn’t it be freeing to be completely fearless?  Never feel the fear of trying new things, taking on new challenges.  I think I’d settle for just feeling less fear.  I’m okay [...]

 
When was the last time you actively practiced courage?  Personally, I’m afraid that I can’t remember.   I mean, I try to be brave if the occasion requires it, but I actually don’t look to put myself into situations that will actively call for this.  Seriously, at my age, navigating the subway in Manhattan felt brave.
 
Well, I [...]

[ photo by Lynn Nagel; poem by Lori Havrilla]
 
 
 
Living Deeply
 
Shall we live deeply
without drowning, without losing
ourselves in the dark, merky waters
of that which is our soul?
 
Shall we go to that place
which calls to each of us
when we take the time to close
our eyes, take a breath
and listen to the silence?
 
Do we dare to jump
off the cliff,
to [...]

 
Ordinary men hate solitude.
But the Master makes use of it,
embracing his aloneness, realizing
he is one with the whole universe.
 
(Tao Te Ching, 42nd verse)
 
 
Yes, I’m on a bit of a Tao roll, so bear with me.  I carry the pocket edition of the Tao Te Ching in my purse at all times. I don’t read it [...]

Photographer: Linda Nagel

 
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. “
Lao-tsu, Tao Te Ching

Chinese philosopher (604 BC – 531 BC)
 
 
 
If you enjoy weaving dreams and setting goals and then find yourself not knowing where to start, join the club. 
 
Taking the first step towards realizing your goals is not that easy. Knowing where [...]

 
Did you ever flow through your day and think, “This is good. Life is good. I’m good.” – only to have one little miniscule everyday life event mess it all up? (Oh please let me not be the only one.)
 
Yesterday was that day for me. The morning (my special, intention-setting, alone time) was bliss. Work [...]

Remember how your mama used to tell you, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”?  Well, I’m ready to hold my tongue…literally.  Yes, I just may need to grab it with my index finger and thumb and walk around like that all day long.  No whispering, no mumbling, no nothing.  I [...]

I’m currently trying to follow Edwene Gaines (The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity) 21-day challenge to fast from negativity. Honestly, it’s not going so well. When I first read the chapter in the book, I thought that it would be a cinch. Never did I imagine that I couldn’t keep negative comments from flying out of [...]