This article is on the topic of FREEDOM which is an aspect of my passion statement and my mission: To Inspire Courage, Compassion, and the Embrace of Worth and Spirit for the FREEDOM to be Authentic, Worthy, and Creative. Several years ago and for many months, I had a recurring dream that was both curious and enlightening. I am in a Nazi concentration camp, a prisoner amongst many others, dressed in the pajama type clothing. It is nighttime and for some reason we are not asleep in our beds. Instead, I am walking quite briskly around the yard, attempting to create some warmth in my body as a protection in the frigid night. The roaming light from the tower above cuts through the blackness on its mission to confirm my presence. In the dream, I am aware of the anticipation I feel in my body. Something is about to happen. … Continue reading →

To Inspire Courage, Compassion and the Embrace of Worth and Spirit for the Freedom to be Authentic, Belonging, and Creative In my last article “The Embrace of Worth”, I refer to the word “embrace” to describe a willing and eager expression of support, of acceptance. What is Spirit that you are willing to accept, support, and express? The word “Spirit” may have as many meanings as the abundance of people who desire to have this relationship, to embrace Spirit. The Latin origin of the word “Spirit” is spirare, meaning to breathe. Spirit is translated from the Hebrew, ruach, and the Greek, pneuma, to mean breath, air, wind. From my perspective, the references to breath and breathing are what keeps us alive, what gives us  life. Those who take a more theological and/or philosophical stance will have many more and different interpretations of the word. For the purpose of my writing, … Continue reading →

To Inspire Courage, Compassion and the Embrace of Worth and Spirit for the Freedom to be Authentic, Belonging, and Creative What do I mean when I write about the next phase of my passion statement? I use the word “embrace” here to describe a willing and eager expression of support, of acceptance. Similar to the human yearning to connect physically, the embrace creates a sense of holding close with affection. We usually hear the word “worth” to describe the value of material things, such as “what is this ____ (product, land, building) worth?” If asked “what are you worth?”, most people will likely respond within this monetary context. When people are invited to “embrace their worth,” I wonder if their automatic response is to think of how they would affectionately hold the money in their pocket or perhaps their gold bullion? What I hope you will reflect upon and acknowledge … Continue reading →

The second phrase of my passion statement describes my intention to inspire compassion. In my first article, I wrote that inspire is: to exert an animating, enlivening influence on and also the idea of breathing into. What is this compassion that I believe is so vital to human meaning, purpose, and existence? Until recently, the word compassion seemed to rarely occur in modern daily conversation. Perhaps this is because its origin is more within the religious context in which the faith wisdoms of the world have always used it comfortably. The common religious theme is an understanding of compassion as an awareness of the suffering of another and a desire to relieve it. In secular spirituality, this same idea applies through humanistic qualities such as: kindness, empathy, concern, caring, tenderness, consideration, gentleness, warmth. “Love in action” is often equated with compassion. In Buddhism, compassion is considered as the highest form … Continue reading →

In this series of articles, I invite you to explore the meaning and purpose that is expressed in your life now, with the intention of continuing to create the life you want. Knowing yourself well, as the unique human you are, will enhance your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health. As on a journey, the destinations are many and varied. You are on the search for your truth and your curiosity will be your travel companion. You will know how you are progressing as evident in your connections, participation, and contributions at work and play, in your community, and in your relationships. I am hopeful that in accepting my invitation, you will share with others, the wisdom you experience in your thoughts, feelings, and actions, just as I am sharing the wisdom of my experiences with you. The title of each article is from the context of what gives my … Continue reading →

The Light AND the Darkness To Inspire Courage, Compassion, and a Sense of Worth, for the Freedom to be Authentic, Belonging, and Creative As I reflect on what I perceive is my purpose in moving through the world, I notice the positive energy this creates. Would I want it any other way? Would I find meaning in what I think, feel, and do in a negative way? The fact that I even ask these questions has me wondering about the possibilities that my view of human responsibility may be biased. Metaphorically, the light created by a positive focus seems more evident when the negative options of the dark are considered. Might there be times, as well, when the intent is to search for the dark as a reprieve from the light? Let’s consider this topic in the context of what I wrote in my last newsletter about striving for significance, … Continue reading →