Category: Journey
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Love in the Deeps…
In a tiny book called “true love,” Thich Nhat Hanh offers a “telephone” meditation to bring harmony into a relationship. In today’s world, perhaps we could call it Texting Meditation or DMing Meditation. His suggestion to wait a few rings before answering a ringing phone traces back to when we didn’t know who might be…
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Mantras Make Things Happen…
Another ELAN Principle is “Make Things Happen.” ELAN, which stands for Elevating Life Attitudes Now, is a self-improvement curriculum I created and facilitated many years ago, but I still rely on the tenets to work on my own “life in progress.” One of the most effective ways to make things happen is to write a…
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Watch Your Mantra…
One of the ELAN Principles that I strive to live by is “Watch Your Language.” It promotes good verbal practices such as choosing words carefully, deciding to speak or not speak and refraining from gossip. It also means to monitor your thoughts. The words you feed into your brain can nourish or deplete your soul,…
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Rhythm…
Rest is needed to rejuvenate and recharge. Still, most days I go full blast until the time for rest cannot be denied. It’s all about the balance between too much go and too little slow. Last week I had a low afternoon. The thought of cross-town, rush-hour traffic was draining. I was tempted to fake…
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Blues…
The Blues can oddly uplift a sad soul. Singing along in a minor key is like a good friend holding your hand during tough times. Sometimes the Blues signify a time of rest. We go, go, go. While in the frenetic fun times we can convince ourselves that things will always be this energetic, positive,…
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Zen Again…
How do you add beauty to your world? A fresh, home-cooked meal, or listening to (even playing) your favorite song? Where have you been surprised by joy? A red geranium in a window box, morning birdsong or a tiny flower sprouting in cracked concrete? Zen is found in quiet moments wrapped in wonder. Turn off…
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Relax…Wake UP!
Last month a smoke alarm battery announced its death when we returned home after an overseas flight. We foggily climbed a ladder and replaced it with the last spare battery. Done. Fixed. Ah, complacency, the zone where all is at rest. Relax, until… Wake UP! Another failing battery brought peaceful slumber to a screeching halt. At 1:30…
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Pivot 2…
Creatives lay their souls bare when they usher an object of beauty from their private world into a public one. We are called to birth (yes, it is that long and difficult) a one-off thing and then share it with an audience greater than one. Patience is key. Sending our work to flight too soon…
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What’s Stopping You?…
Monday we wiped away greasy fingerprints of doubt to look through clear-vision dream lenses. What about looking inward? Fearful you’ll find clumsiness, ignorance or total lack of ability? Doubtful. There’s a subconscious wellspring of ability and knowledge that drives you to do what you love, an unmistakable molten core. Too often we allow doubts and…