“One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all.” This is the famous first line to The Gift of the Magi, published by O. Henry in 1905. Imagine that you only had $1.87 to spend for Christmas. Even in 1905, Della struggles to buy a gift for her husband, Jim. However, despite the challenges, love survives …Read More
Author: Dr. Joel Ying, MD
Physician-Educator-Storyteller. Integrating the power of story into medicine, healing sessions, workshops, speaking and performance.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
One last chance to recite this poem for the year before Santa Claus goes to rest. He’s out there and very busy. You can track him on the Official NORAD website. Yes, the North American Aerospace Defense Command actually tracks Santa. (There’s a whole other story of how the U.S. military got involved in Santa …Read More
Howard Thurman: I Will Light Candles this Christmas
From “The Mood of Christmas…”—by Howard Thurman I will light Candles this Christmas,Candles of joy despite all the sadness,Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,Candles of courage for fears ever present,Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,Candles of love to inspire all my living,Candles that will burn all year long. …Read More
Winter Solstice 2017 – Shortest Day
Welcome to the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere In the tropics of South Florida where I live, the length of the day is pretty constant. As you move towards the North Pole, the length of the day changes dramatically. This past November, I was in Scotland, which is about the same …Read More
Santa Claus – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
I performed this poem at Brambles English Tea Room for Tea&Tales this holiday season on Sat Dec 9th and Thu Dec 14, 2017. Enjoy the video and read the poem below or pick up one of the many illustrated books as a gift this holiday season. “Happy Christmas to All!” The video includes an extended …Read More
Poem: Mother Doesn’t Want a Dog
Mother Doesn’t Want a Dog ~ by Judith Viorst Mother doesn’t want a dog. Mother says they smell, And never sit when you say sit, Or even when you yell. And when you come home late at night And there is ice and snow, You have to go back out because The dumb dog has …Read More
Jamie DeWolf – The Exit Interview, Save a Life
Snap Judgment is a weekly storytelling radio show, but with a twist. “Stories with a Beat.” Spoken-Word Poetry meets edgy Storytelling, set to the beat of Music. LIVE Snap Judgement theater events showcase performances of featured tellers with a live band. The synergy between the music, poetry, and storytelling creates a powerful experience. Check out …Read More
Dr. Seuss – the gift that keeps giving
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax If you are looking for a gift for a child, buy a book by Dr. Seuss! And even better, sit down this holiday season and read it to them. The poetic rhymes are …Read More
Keep healthy with immune support
Most vitamins and herbals are sold as “food supplements” to augment nutrition and promote wellness. The more recent term nutriceutical is a blend of the words nutrient and pharmaceutical. Nutriceuticals are also food derivatives, but sold for their medical properties to treat various problems. Often there are research studies supporting their use treating a target …Read More
Bowl of Light – Ancestral Wisdom of Hawaii
The ancient Hawaiians teach that we are all born with a Bowl of Light. That light inspires us and sustains us. As we grow in experience and wisdom of love, our light shines. But every time we lie, steal, or injure others, a stone gets placed in the bowl. This stone displaces the light. If …Read More