What's your favorite word? My practice for these daily prompts is to sit with them a bit to see what rises in me. I pause. Then I begin to write whatever arises. Today, I was surprised- as I often am- when the blogging prompt brought forth this word: Yes. I must add this disclaimer: “Yes” … Continue reading Let Your Yes Be Yes
For U.S. Americans born in the 1990’s and before, September 11, 2001 is a day we remember. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia brought a different kind of large scale violence to our shores. This tragedy left a mark on our social and political landscape and … Continue reading September 11
Describe your ideal week. I think my ideal week defies moment-by-moment description. No particular event has to happen to make my week ideal. I will note that there are some components that would make any week ideal for me. Presence. I want to “be there” in each moment of my week as it unfolds. I … Continue reading Non-Specific “Ideal” Weeks
If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be? "Stupid." I would dispel that word from my vocabulary; that goes double for my inner critic. Let me be clear. I do not use "stupid" much in daily conversation or thoughts I have about the world. However, my friend … Continue reading Chats with My Inner Critic
Are you holding a grudge? About? The word “grudge” immediately brings to my mind savoring the perceived wrongs, intentional and unintentional, that have been done against me. There is even a sour flavor I can almost taste when I remember some of the grudges that shaped periods of my life. And shape my life they … Continue reading Holding Tightly to Past Wrongs
Today was a normal day. I woke and then headed downstairs to the kitchen. I made coffee and oatmeal for my family, and then we shared the meal. There was pleasant banter about my wife's and son's insomnia last night- they watched Modern Family together while I slept upstairs, oblivious. After breakfast cleanup, I brought … Continue reading My Day Got Misaligned
What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it? I enjoy, invest in, and regularly play with/utilize technology in a variety of forms. I imagine I am “tech-savvy.” Searching for simple tech how-to’s on the web is embarrassing for me. Yesterday I as listening to the Acoustic Hits playlist … Continue reading Tech-Challenged Technophile
What TV shows did you watch as a kid? There were three notable shows that immediately come to mind from my childhood. The first was Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, a show about nature and the realities of animals. I remember looking forward to the show weekly even when it was a repeat. Marlin Perkins … Continue reading Life As It Is and Could Be
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about. Awakening this morning, I was excited to remember a dream. It is rare for me to recall one at all, let alone clearly. Here is how I might summarize it: I was back at university; the grounds were very familiar from the time I was … Continue reading A Dream Last Night
My title really should read something more like, “I used to practice for life as if life and practice were separate instances.” I have an everyday practice: meditation, journaling, reading, listening. I come to my space and sit. This sitting sets an intention for the day, an intention to inhale and exhale, to receive and … Continue reading Practicing for life
