Wednesday Wisdom

I’ve had some ups and downs the past few weeks. So I’m trying to remember the advice from a teacher I heard years ago. This is paraphrased: “Keep your back strong, and heart open.” This was right before smart phones became so common, so it wasn’t just a comment about technology. It’s about how the slings and arrows of daily life, the headlines, and the messy humans in our life can have us doubled over, tired of the weight of caring, trying to protect our heart. It’s the practice of a lifetime...

I’ll admit it. I’ve been a little grumpy, or maybe just overwhelmed the past few weeks. The to-do list never ends… But isn’t that just adult life? I’ve been waffling over important decisions for my projects, business, and personal life but… Isn’t that just adult life? Then something interesting happened today, a miracle or coincidence that reminded me we have more help available than we think … This morning I realized I really need a guide or mentor for a particular project, in addition to...

Many of the spring blossoms here are past their peak. But still flowering in places. I’ve been savoring the sights and . . . The source of the petals World of Smells "Stop and smell the flowers" is such a cliché. But when I actually do it, I feel better. Lilacs are a favorite of mine. And there are really only a few days left to enjoy their authentic aromas. Lilac-scented products or oils just aren’t the same. It’s been a joy to pause and sniff the purple blossoms on my daily walks with my...

There are the taxes most of us pay to a government, which if you didn’t know are due by today in the USA. I say “most of us” because if you own a large corporation, you’ve likely found ways to avoid ponying up your fair share of taxes. But I’m just too tired to rant about the evils of corporate wealth hoarding. If you’ve been feeling too tired lately too, keep reading for some relief. Light on the horizon Not just $$$ Many people have felt an extra emotional tax these last 10 years - a vague...

This morning I reflected on gratitude, and I was surprised to discover yet again that it’s more powerful than I’d thought. Especially since, as I’ve mentioned before, “gratitude practices” can feel fake or showy to me. But I’ve also noticed they do make a difference. Even when done imperfectly or inconsistently. And even if it feels silly or empty, pausing for a moment to reflect on one thing you're thankful for is a practice that adds up to peace. Maybe I’ll share the longer reflection I...

I wanted to come up with some kind of “peace prank” or meditation joke for today, April Fool’s. But I wasn’t so clever. Instead I remembered a soothing meditation I can share with you. Balancing act When we feel bad, it’s extra hard because our mind focuses on what feels bad - be it a body ache or a situation in our life or the world at large. The only thing is . . . There is also, at the same time, a kernel of peace available in each moment. This kernel may be as small as an acorn or grain...

I always feel a thrill when I see the first flowers of spring. The above photo is from an old smartphone, hence the blur. But I love the way someone decided to reuse the stump as a planter for daffodils, those bright heralds of spring This year, my first flower sighting happened in an unexpected place. Crocuses are some of the first flowers to bloom here in the Rockies , so maybe it’s no coincidence I found some . . . in a Little Free Library, before any real flowers had come up from the...

I’ve been listening to Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much by Cynthia Erivo. Her powerful, emotive voice has been uplifting to hear. And when she shares her vulnerabilities and missteps, she becomes more human, less like an impossibly perfect superstar who’s always had it all. Early in the book she shares one of her practices for peace: Can you see the half moon? Hitting your Stride “Running has become a meditation, a way of processing,” says Cynthia. "It helps...

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so how many words are a piece of music worth? 10,000? Music has a way of speaking directly to our soul. And soothing it. Below is a soft piano piece I turn to when I’m stressed. It conjures up a quiet winter evening, maybe strolling under the snowflakes in New York’s Central Park, or sitting by a gentle fire in a cosy cabin. Feel free to picture a beautiful, comfortable scene as you listen to this 7 minute piece - and then it becomes an enjoyable,...

It’s not easy to know how to be in this moment. I’ve been heartbroken about yet another war starting, and I’ve struggled to find the words for my weekly inner peace newsletter, Wednesday Wisdom. I know and you know that we can’t create world peace just through peaceful emails. But when I send these emails and you read them, it’s a reminder that we’re part of a growing, global-minded community that wants peace. So today, I want to give a “State of Peace Address” that goes into the challenges...