When my grandmother came to the United States in the 1940’s to find work, she always bought life insurance. A proud and independent woman, she came to earn money for her struggling family. She would later tell me, “I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone.” When she could afford it, life insurance was …Read More
Category: Journal
On Passing a Graveyard
There is beauty in the blessing of the simple everyday things, even on passing a graveyard. In his book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, John O’Donohue encourages us to slow down and discover the sacred in the everyday. On November 2nd, All Soul’s Day honors the souls of the departed …Read More
Story of Halloween
October 31st is All Hallows’ Eve in some Christian traditions. Today, we shorten the name to Halloween. This begins the 3-day festival of All Hallows’ Tide. What is a Hallow? The word means “holy” as in “hallowed ground” and is another word for Saint (a holy person). Just as Christmas Eve precedes Christmas Day, All …Read More
NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Cantus
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts brings amazing singers right into your home. Be inspired by music and musicians. These concerts provide a small intimate setting that creates a personal experience. The next best thing to a live concert, NPR Tiny Desk Concerts are recorded live at the desk of the host of NPR’s All Songs Considered. …Read More
Mission: Loved As I Am
Inspiring quote for today: “My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to find peace with exactly who and what I am. To take pride in my thoughts, my appearance, my talents, my flaws and to stop this incessant worrying that I can’t be loved as I am.” — Anais Nin What’s your mission? …Read More
The Dance by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
“What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?” — Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Dance: Moving to the Rhythms of Your True Self In her prior book, The Invitation, Oriah Mountain Dreamer …Read More
Two Ways to Be Rich
“There are two ways to be rich. Make more or want less.” I saw this quote on a surfer’s T-shirt in Hawaii many years ago. Since then, I’ve seen many variations attributed to different authors. As a goal-oriented person, the words just took me into the present moment. I can be “rich” right now. Excitedly, …Read More
Sonnets to Hurricane Irma
In the aftermath of hurricane Irma, this poem by Rainer Maria Rilke somehow seems fitting as we turn to the task of rebuilding. Prayers to all those that have been touched by her path. May the wings of hope hold us up and move us forward with courage, community, and conviction. Sonnets to Orpheus, Part …Read More
Do what you love
“Do what you love or love what you do.” — Grandma Wisdom Many years ago, a friend gave me this advice from his grandmother, so I call it “Grandma Wisdom.” Prior to this, I had only heard the first part, “Do what you love.” And now I realize why it was incomplete. While sometimes I need …Read More
Huge success! My first solo performance
“May the legacy of love live on through all of you.” I am deeply grateful to the beautiful audience of 32 friends and “once upon a time” strangers that supported me in my first 90-minute solo performance yesterday (August 25, 2017). Ten years ago, I was a timid voice exploring public speaking through a local …Read More