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Word of the Year…
This year I’m adopting a focus word for 2024; one to ground me, spur me on toward an inward or outward goal. I’m trained to be a keen observer. That can translate to deep passion on all sides – love but also judgement, joy but also fear, excitement but also agitation. While seeking signs of…
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Little Drummer Boy/Girl…
While drumming with the Joy of Djembe Drumming Ensemble, I feel peace wash over me as we send harmonious vibrations up and out. I hold visions of all peoples connecting via a common thrum within. A heartbeat. A need for love and connection. Acceptance of all. How glorious that vision. My human mind tells me…
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Quote of the Week…
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” Mary Anne Radmacher, 1957-
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Observe an Unknown World…
We’ve just returned from exploring and savoring a new-to-us culture. I put writing aside for a week, fearful I’d forget where I was on the page, lose interest in the characters or worse, cast passion into the ocean and trade the sharp points of purpose for the smooth edges of passivity. I journaled awe-inspiring moments…
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Smiles Breaking Through…
I’ve been sharpening my sensory muscles to seek joy and beauty. Despite the worrisome, bothersome, and downright scary state of our current world, gladness peeks through, if we pay attention. Try this: look at your world right now, not focusing on anything. So many things beg for your eye’s gaze. Don’t think, don’t look, just…
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Quote of the Week…
“I accuse myself of sloth and unprofitableness day by day but when these waves of God flow into me, I no longer reckon lost time.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882
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Enthusiasm…
Miriam Webster defines enthusiasm as “intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.” Plus this archaic, derogatory meaning: “religious fervor supposedly resulting directly from divine inspiration, typically involving speaking in tongues and wild, uncoordinated movements of the body.” The Latin origin is “inspired or possessed by a god.” I recently read a quote comparing enthusiasm to…
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Dial Up…
I have a tiny journal in which I write a sentence each day in response to a happiness quote, reminding me to focus on the good. One recent prompt encouraged me to look at past experiences with a happy heart, to fill my life with joyous memories. Training your vision toward the smiles and laughs…
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Quote of the Week…
“The living self has one purpose only: to come into its own fullness of being.” D. H. Lawrence, 1885-1930
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A Letter to My Family and Friends…
My sister tells me I used to write poetry while she played piano. I remember sitting in my closet to read or write. It didn’t matter that they were silly little poems and stories. Later I wrote recaps of football games my dad watched. Didn’t every kid do that? No big deal. Easily dismissed, especially…