“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
Category: Journal
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
The Answer to Life the Universe and Everything
“How old are you?” we asked as we gathered at the Thai restaurant for a birthday dinner celebration. I was already debating between Red Thai Curry, that delicious explosion of delicate coconut and hot pepper spices, or the old standard of Pad Thai noodles. “Forty-two,” he said with the same look that a child might …Read More
When is the doctor coming?
Wearing a face mask covers the patch of gray that is now my beard. When the lady at the cash register confuses me for one of the college students, I smile inside. I suddenly realize that the mask makes me look decades younger… and I like looking younger! As middle age has stealthily set in, …Read More
Grandmother Tree
Grandmother Tree by Dr. Joel Ying I remember the great grandmother tree of Claymont Mansion. The dappled light under the shade of her branches; the wind rustling the leaves into the rich moist soil. Grandmother has seen many suns, moons, and stars. A lark sings to the beauty of her nurturing. Walking paths meander here …Read More