On Wednesday, I took my high school literature class on a field trip to a local art museum for a special exhibit. It ended up being one of the best educational tours I’ve ever arranged–and I’ve arranged quite a few. It was thought provoking, engaging, confusing, humorous, and uplifting. Most of all, it reminded me, … More Encouraging Dialogue Through Art
Since Wednesdays are traditionally known as “Hump Day,” and often involve an alcoholic libation to celebrate the middle of the work week, I thought it might be an appropriate time to share a local good news story. Now, when I think of the places with a trendy beer scene, I mostly think of hip cities out West, … More Finding Your Bliss in Beer
Happy Spring! Yesterday was the Vernal Equinox, the first time in the year that we had equal amounts of daytime and nighttime (at least at the equator). Now we will have a few more minutes of light every day until we reach our peak at the Summer Solstice in June (which represents the end of spring … More Welcoming Spring
In the ancient Greek myth of Pandora (the world’s first woman, not the music-playing service), this “all-gifted” woman accidentally released all the world’s evils–famine, sickness, war, pain, death–when she opened her jar (later translated into a box). The king of the Greek gods, Zeus, left her only one force with which to deal with all of … More Meditation Monday: Three Weeks of Hope
Happy St. Patricks Day! I like to celebrate every holiday, so I’ve got my plans for making bangers and mash for my family this evening. But I thought I would start the day’s celebrations with a lovely poem of blessing by a wonderful Irish poet and philosopher, John O’Donahue. He writes a lot about how … More An Irish Poem of Blessing
Are you someone who thinks that mediation requires silence and eyes closed to any outside stimulation to be effective? Or have you ever tried meditating to music? How about meditating to techno music: the fast-tempo, rhythmic, electronic music more commonly associated with the disco than with states of contemplation? Well, that is what Japanese Buddhist priest … More Meditation Monday: Ever Try Techno?
One of my favorite people just got home last night after spending 3 months living in Africa. I’m sure that in many ways, she feels transformed by the incredible experience of living in such a different culture. But I know that at her core, she is the same powerful, loving, wise, spiritual, courageous woman and good friend who … More Change (Song for Denise)
I had the most Jung-ian dream this morning! In the early hours of International Women’s Day, who should come to me in my sleep but…..Snow White. She announced that she was participating in the US movement of A Day Without Women and would not perform any labor today. However, it turned that the Seven Dwarfs … More Dreaming a Feminist Fairy Tale
If I had to pick two men who are guaranteed to make me laugh, I would say one is the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and another is John Oliver, the host of late night political satire show, Last Week Tonight. So … More Laughing With the Dalai Lama
Do you like dragons? It appears that most of us do, since current books, movies, video games, and apps are awash with these fantasy flying creatures. But did you know there are real dragons living on our planet? Well, at least there are actual animals called dragons–the Komodo Dragon, also known as the Komodo Monitor. … More There Be Dragons Among Us
BlissFullU 