Guest Post by Claude Gruffy
I worked for a TV station for 32 years as a scenic artist. Back then, there were no computers and all sets were painted by hand. Before the new technology arrived and turned the world upside down, I had the chance to paint huge murals for soap operas, TV theaters, etc., for several years. I didn’t wonder why I had such a knack for painting large murals. I told myself that this talent came from my father, because he also had a certain talent for drawing.
Guest Post by Edie Weinstein
The overhead announcement calls people to their flights to their intermediate or final destinations, overlapping with the low murmur of passengers waiting to board. The television personality is sharing the morning’s news in her pleasant and well trained voice. Snapping my wintergreen gum helps to keep me calm and centered as I too await the beckoning to board.
I knew that when I scheduled my flight from Philly to Portland, via a wonderful flight attendant friend who arranged a companion pass, that all was (no pun intended) up in the air and that I would need to be flexible.
Guest Post by Bob Switzer
I believe accidents and resulting injury are a way we are led through necessary change by Spirit in this physical world, often moving us forward spiritually, teaching us something we didn’t know about ourselves. Otherwise, we would not need the message(s) and lesson(s) contained in the “accident” experience.
By Michael Avery
My wife, Pichaya, and I have learned that Divine Spirit, Spirit, God, or “the Universe,” call IT what you will, won’t interfere in our lives unless we ask. When faced with an important decision or a personal crisis, we can ask for guidance through dreams, contemplations, visions, or waking dreams. Most people, however, forget to ask.
It is important that we do all we can to help ourselves in addition to asking the Divine. A number of spiritual exercises are available that can help us navigate “dark nights of the Soul” or other crises. Many can be found in a book called The Spiritual Exercises of ECK, by Harold Klemp.
One additional spiritual exercise that I have found helpful in stressful situations is simple, and yet powerful. It’s called “A Circle of Friends.”
By Michael Avery
Before Sawyer Brown became famous, the band always stopped at the Douglas County Fair near my hometown on their whirlwind tour throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. When I left the fair each year after hearing them play until well after midnight, one song always stayed with me—“The Walk.” Little did I know that, many years later, the song would facilitate a healing with my father.
Guest Post by Al Coffman
I was about to embark on a camping tour of Spain and France with my friend Jennifer. Her core mission was to seek out wilderness areas in Spain, and she asked if I’d like to join her. We decided to travel together for a good part of October. My only hesitation was an injury to my second toe which had been slow to heal. I swapped out my hiking boots for socks and Teva sandals (product placement); this allowed me to lift my sore toe and walk without pain. I moved like a turtle, but a happy turtle.
By Michael Avery
When we glance back over our shoulder at the myriad events in our lives, some stand out for their solitary strangeness, others for their magic and mystery. They tug at our coattails, begging us to take another look with older, yet more discerning eyes.
I’d been reflecting on a conversation from several years before regarding a dog and his unusual friend, when I suddenly realized it held a valuable lesson about self-love.
Guest Post by Tom Ziemann
I am awestruck by the similarities between one’s garden and emotional state. Both require cultivation and care if they are to prosper. A basic understanding of such has helped me to “right my ship” as it were.
I am known by my close friends as “Mr. Hardcore Gardener.” I’ve been an addicted enthusiast for well over 25 years. I take distinct pleasure in having one of the greenest lawns on the block. For decades, I have shared the secrets, tips, and tonics with many people on how to rejuvenate their lawns. In some cases, I’ve helped them do the thatching, core aeration, augmentation for their particular soil, choosing correct fertilizers, advised and suggested the best lawn seed to purchase, and voila, in just a few short months, they too had lawns to be envied.
Guest Post by Jamie Zella
For most of my life, I identified as atheist. This past year, however, something shifted.
A few things happened that pushed me onto my spiritual journey. First, it seemed that all the new people coming into my life were spiritual. My whole life, I had been closed off to believing in any sort of higher power.
There was no such thing as God, no spiritual beings, nothing and nobody watching over me. But after meeting these new people, I was also met with curiosity. I decided to befriend it. I opened my mind and started paying more attention.
Guest Post by Ana Loiselle
Communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. Yet, despite our best efforts, it’s astounding how easily misunderstandings can arise between couples. These misunderstandings can lead to frustration, hurt feelings, and sometimes even conflict. In this article, we will explore the common reasons behind these misinterpretations and offer practical strategies to help couples foster better understanding and strengthen their bond.
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