The leftover turkey is in the refrigerator. Friends and family have gone home, and the season of gratitude has been replaced by twinkling lights, snowflakes, and merry melodies. At this time of year, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of sales catalogs and shopping mania. But hold on to your reindeer hats and jingle bells, folks! Before this gets out of control, let’s take a step back and consider the true essence of the upcoming winter holiday... Read more
We all crave love and connection, but sometimes this desire can lead us down a dangerous path. I recently watched the eye-opening documentary, Escaping Twin Flames. This documentary sheds light on self-proclaimed spiritual leaders, Jeff and Shaleia, who claim their group is not a cult. Without giving away too much, watching Escaping Twin Flames is likely to make you a bit more cautious when choosing mentors, coaches, and spiritual advisors. If you’re a parent, it will also encourage you to... Read more
Halloween, with its eerie costumes, spooky decorations, and a sense of playful fright, is a widely celebrated holiday in many parts of the world. It’s interesting to note that various faiths around the globe have their own festivals that share similarities with Halloween, a great example of the universal need to acknowledge our ancestors, the time of death, and our desire for life beyond our mortal walk. These celebrations may not always align perfectly with the modern commercialized version of... Read more
On a recent visit to Oaxaca, Mexico, I had the opportunity to dive deeply into the rich and beautiful culture of its tribal people. As a fair-skinned American woman of European heritage, I often long for more connection with my own roots and the ancestral practices of those who came before me. Unfortunately, many of our European ancestors chose to leave their homelands for a new world. By its very nature, that search meant leaving behind their stories, history,... Read more
As I write, I’m on my way to Oaxaca, Mexico, where I’ll immerse myself in the traditions of Día De Los Muertos. The concept of ancestor veneration has always intrigued me, and I deeply value this chance to strengthen my connection with those loved ones who have transitioned from this realm to the next. Ancestors – whether linked by blood, culture, or spirit – form the intricate threads that interlace our past, present, and future. They are the vessels of... Read more
Autumn is upon us—a time of self-reflection and release. The season turns nature into a canvas, painting itself in hues of amber, ruby, and gold. Every year, I find myself sitting on my front porch, watching the leaves dance to the ground, captivated by their whispering encouragement to welcome change. Trees Don’t Cling, So Why Should We? Science offers a straightforward explanation for the transformative beauty of autumn leaves. During summer, trees are full of chlorophyll, the pigment that makes... Read more
As part of a school assignment, my grandson called tonight to ask me about what happened on 9/11. I stumbled a bit through my answers, trying to impress upon him how shocking and sad it was, how the memory of the Twin Towers falling is etched in my mind after repeatedly watching footage for days and weeks, and even years after it happened and how I had friends who lost loved ones that day. After the call, I realized I... Read more
My massage therapist shared a fascinating William Blake quote with me recently. The 18th-century English poet, painter, and visionary, who often delved into the realms of spirituality and human existence, wrote, “Man has no body distinct from his Soul, for that called Body is a portion of Soul discerned by the five senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age.” Looking through a metaphysical lens, Blake invites us to rethink our perceived divisions between the physical and spiritual... Read more
Sixty years ago, on August 28th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gifted us with the resounding words, “I have a Dream.” Yet, with the heart-rending incident over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, it becomes hauntingly clear that the dream remains unrealized for so many. A cherished high school friend posed a question on Facebook in response to the shooting. Though I could paint countless tales of her extraordinary spirit, what weighs heavily on my heart today is how the... Read more
I heard it again today. “Why should spiritual leaders charge for what they do? It’s not ethical. Spiritual teachings should be free, right?” It’s a comment I’m quick to answer. Is it ethical to charge for spiritual courses and services? In my opinion, yes — not only is it ethical, but it’s also necessary in order to create a sustainable spiritual future for our society. Profits, when used ethically, can be a blessing for everyone. When financially healthy, a... Read more
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