We all know that there are a lot of people being really challenged right now in ways that perhaps they never have been before. And while you might think that all of this would dampen folks’ gratitude, I haven’t found that to be the case. Actually, quite the opposite. What I've found is that these challenging times have made many people even more aware of what they do have to be grateful for. Gratitude can play a big role in helping us find hope and healing in our lives. It helps us realize Continue Reading
What Signs are We Listening To?
Some years ago, I was driving to a restaurant with a friend. I was visiting the area, so he was directing me, "Get into the left lane and then turn left." As we waited for the light to turn green, I noticed a 'U-Turn OK' sign. The light turned green, and... I made a U-turn! Wait a second - he had told me to turn left and I made a U-turn. What happened? I had let that sign influence me without realizing it! If I had been alert, I would have followed my friend's directions, and we would have Continue Reading
Breaking Out of Old Patterns of Thinking
I like to get out on little walks and runs. I often go out and back on a nice, wooded trail. The other day, as I was going through one densely wooded area, I realized that I was ducking my head a little bit. Why? There were no overhanging branches that I would have hit. Then I remembered that there used to be a couple of branches there that made me duck while passing that area. So I had been conditioned to duck. Sometimes we hold on to past thoughts and opinions without even realizing it - Continue Reading
How I Voted
I voted last week (we’ve had mail-in voting here in Oregon for as long as I can remember). Want to know how I voted? Okay, well I might not tell you who I voted for, but I will tell you how I voted. Voting allows us a choice - more than just the choice between candidates or propositions. We have a choice to decide what perspective we’re going to take. Are we going to start from the fact that everyone is the offspring of God, or not? I’m trying to. I am looking for the God-like characteristics Continue Reading