“I’m too old. This is for young people. This is crazy for me to try to do,” thought Deb A. Zion, one morning after waking up with arms so sore that she was unable to move. Living in Mansfield, Massachusetts, she had been practicing martial arts for many years, and last night had been a …Read More
Category: Journal
What makes a good life? ~ Robert Waldinger
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” In my high school graduation book, I remember answering this question. With the whole world in front of me, heading off to college, trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Gathering advice from different people, reading widely, experiencing what high …Read More
Litany Against Fear ~ Frank Herbert’s Dune
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will …Read More
Affirmation ~ What are you becoming?
“I, Joel, deepen relationships and create community with my gifts of healing.” Each New Year, I settle on an intention, craft a prayer, and distill that prayer into a blessing that becomes the affirmation that I carry through the year. The affirmation calls back the entire prayer. (See my prior post.) Several years ago, I …Read More
Setting Intentions for 2023 ~ Online Workshop
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” ~ Paulo Coelho As the year comes to a close, I look back at what I have accomplished. Then, I look forward, what do I want for this new year? The universe will help me to achieve it… “If you don’t …Read More
Do you talk to someone?
“Do you talk to someone?” Sometimes a question stops you in your tracks. The Lifestyle Medicine retreat hired me to see all the attendees on medications for blood pressure or diabetes. In this retreat they would learn about healthy lifestyle changes. They would experience a healthy diet with food cooked for them, a morning exercise …Read More
Hurricane Ian ~ I’m OK
“I’m safe. House ok. No flooding in my area. No power. No internet. Cell phone service spotty.” After waking up to a post-apocalyptic scene that I could only imagine from the reports on the radio, I walked a quarter mile down the block to find a place where I could get enough cell phone signal …Read More
Meanest Person Ever
“You are the meanest person ever,” her voice laughs playfully even as she loads all the pre-teen seriousness into the sentence. I pass a large family on the beach. Parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins move like ants around a mound of beach umbrellas to and from the sweetness of the sea. I smile inwardly as …Read More
Zentangle, meditate with art
I’m addicted, but I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to. I’ve discovered the world of Zentangle. I picked up a book many years ago on the way into the bookstore. “Oh, that looks interesting, and it’s on sale.” Years later and only a couple weeks ago, I’m visiting a friend for a …Read More
How to Get Your Brain to Focus ~ Chris Bailey
I’m resting on the recliner. Without realizing it, I pick up the phone. Unlock the screen and click on the email app. It’s almost as if some entity had taken over my body. I know there’s no new email or text. The phone has no alerts, but something inside of me is searching. If I …Read More