Practice Joy

Practice Joy

in Joy

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold, silver, or platinum lacquer. Rather than replace the pottery or hide the cracks, the object’s brokenness is incorporated into the new piece, at once honoring the history of the object and highlighting the importance of the cracks in the object’s restoration. Arguably, the object is made more beautiful for… continue

Notes of Encouragement: Resilience

Notes of Encouragement: Resilience

in Resilience

When there’s nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire. — Stars, “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” When I owned my shoe shop, we listened to Pandora every day. The songs eventually would become white noise, but occasionally, one would seem to blare louder than the rest. One day I stopped in my tracks, hearing: “When there’s nothing left… continue

Practice Resilience

Practice Resilience

in Resilience

Have you ever seen a baby bird crack out of its shell? First you see movement, a wobble. A hairline crack appears. More movement. A tiny hole, the crack widening. A little beak breaks through. After much time and effort, the shell is cracked wide and the bird pushes itself out, messy but free. That shell was made of several… continue

Notes of Encouragement: Forgiveness

Notes of Encouragement: Forgiveness

in Forgiveness

Dear friend, I am writing you this note of encouragement as I am aware that you have fully accepted your reality and are living into it, with all of the pain and exhaustion it brings. It is now time to take the next step in Living Hope that will lead you to freedom: forgiveness. Unlike many parts of my journey,… continue

Practice Forgiveness

Practice Forgiveness

in Forgiveness

Think for a moment about Forgiveness and what it means to you. What are your first impressions? Do certain thoughts arise? Do images of particular people pop in front of your eyes? Most importantly: Was one of the people you? The trespasses of others come to mind easily, therefore, we tend to think of others first when we think about… continue

Notes of Encouragement: Curiosity

Notes of Encouragement: Curiosity

in Curiosity

Dear friend, I am writing you this note of encouragement as I hear you asking this question, “How could this happen to me?” I have been where you are, shocked into bewilderment by your situation and finding comfort in your suffering. But empowerment comes from taking ownership of your circumstances.   I spent the first few months after filing for… continue

Practice Curiosity

Practice Curiosity

in Curiosity

Curiosity is the impetus that drives invention and personal discovery. It is the very source of revelation. To understand the world and ourselves is a fundamental part of human nature; but when we experience trauma, fear and disapproval can paralyze curiosity, preventing us from the necessary self-examination that leads to healing. You must not allow yourself to be stalled here.… continue

Notes of Encouragement: Honesty

Notes of Encouragement: Honesty

in Honesty

“Every experience that you have and will have upon the Earth encourages the alignment of your personality with your soul. Every circumstance and situation gives you the opportunity to choose this path, to allow your soul to shine through you, to bring into the physical world through you its unending and unfathomable reverence for and love of Life.” ― Gary… continue

Begin the Practice of Honesty

Begin the Practice of Honesty

in Honesty

There are few values held so dear in our culture as honesty. Honesty is the very rock on which relationships are built and dashed, even our relationship with and understanding of ourselves. We want honesty from others, but when it comes to being honest with ourselves and looking at our own mess, we are quite adept at self-deception and rationalization.… continue

Notes of Encouragement: Grief

Notes of Encouragement: Grief

in Grief

Dear friend, I am writing you this note of encouragement as the sound of your heartbreak is escaping from the hidden place in which you have tried to bury it. Whether your heartbreak has been masked with anger, distracted by addiction, or exploited by feelings of victimization and abject sorrow, you must go through your grief in order to get… continue

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