I had an opportunity to meet some one I took an instant dislike to at a friend’s home recently. Every thing about the man got under my skin. He was loud; he didn’t listen to others when they spoke; he seemed particularly dismissive of women; he was very judgmental, from my perception, and it seemed we had nothing in common. And then I heard him mention he was in recovery. What a difference that piece of information made to me. Why was I so quick to dismiss him at first and then just as quickly forgive him his “apparent” flaws, when I found out we[...]
2 It’s not easy to be grateful for some of the people we encounter on our journey, at least not initially. I very recently experienced this lack of gratitude. Even after years of being on this spiritual path, believing in all the principles I share with others, and having more than thirty-six years of recovery, I was confronted by a series of experiences with one person that unsettled me a great deal. The details aren’t important. What is important to share is how easy it is to forget that God is always our comforter in every situation. I have been a steady prac[...]
Everyone we meet is on a holy journey, just like the one we are traveling. Embracing this idea changes every encounter we experience, if we let it! I know. It has happened in my life. This is a huge idea, and one that, if you believe it, can change every other idea you hold. A number of years ago, I made the decision to believe it. There wasn’t one writer, in particular, who influenced me, or one philosopher or book or workshop or friend or spiritual teaching. When I try to reconstruct how the change in my thinking occurred, I’d say it happened gradual[...]
Envision how your life could or would look if you paid more attention to it, rather than to the life of someone else. Might you change careers, go back to school, downsize your home, pick up a hobby that you have always secretly longed to do but for which you felt you had too little time? Dream big. Be daring with your thoughts. Dreaming doesn’t commit you to fulfilling the desired change yet, but it is the hook that can pull you into forward motion. I have a friend who decided to take up ballroom dancing a few years ago. Her spouse wasn’t interested, but s[...]
Getting Unstuck is the title of my newest book. It's a companion to Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow. I loved writing both books. Actually, I'd have to say that all twenty-six books that have "called to me," I have loved writing. There is no doubt that I am living my bliss. But Getting Unstuck, in particular, deals with the issues that continue to snag me so easily in any ordinary day. I'm certain that's why it became a necessary book for me to tackle. I am continuing to learn and need the "instruction" I get from writing what I hear my inner[...]
A memorial service was held on Sunday for my dear friend, Beverly M. I had been with her almost daily for the remaining weeks of her life, and when I couldn't pay a visit, I called. Letting go was difficult for her. And me too. She was 82 and had lived life as an adventure. Her travels took her all over the world, from China to Russia and all the countries of Europe too. Greece was one of her favorite locations, but Paris was a favored destination too, perhaps because of her interest in art. Besides being a nurse, she was an accomplished artist. M[...]
A beautiful passage in a spiritual book I am committed to reading on a daily basis included these lines a few days ago: To everyone I offer quietness; to everyone I offer peace of mind; to everyone I offer gentleness. I was moved by the wisdom and the Holiness of these words. I am also convinced that if everyone were to live by them, we'd eliminate war, family dysfunction, community chaos, bullying, even divorce, perhaps. For certain, hearts and minds would be completely changed. One of the key elements here is to remember that what we "do to one," we do[...]
Coming to understand and then appreciate the truth of this statement has released me from many hours, even days, of pain and uncertainty. Perhaps I need to clarify this belief I so cherish. I think that every action and every thought that's harbored by any one of us, 24/7, is reflecting a feeling of love or fear in that moment. Believing this has honestly changed my life. Let me explain. First of all, if I am verbally attacked by some one, I immediately remember that he or she is afraid in that moment, and quite likely afraid about some thing that has n[...]
It's been two weeks since my last post. That surprises me. It's my intention to write weekly and then I lose track of time. It's for sure that my life is busy but I don't consider any thing more important than staying in contact with friends and supporters who read this blog or follow me on facebook. My work is all about being present to others in many ways. The blog post is one of those ways and I'm sorry when I have failed to say "hello" and share a message. I have been busier than usual of late working on a new book. The writing process feeds my[...]
Expectations are seductive. They can feel exciting. Consuming. Addictive. And like every other addiction known to humankind, the outcome can be disappointing, oftentimes to the point of personal destruction. Our expectations ensnare us because of our insecurities, I think. We want a certain person or situation or experience to satisfy us in a specific way, and that's destined to be a set-up for disappointment which is then commonly followed by resentment. i speak from a place of authority because of multiple past experiences with both expectations an[...]