Speaking of Spirit

Beginning tomorrow Christians around the world will observe 40 days of reflections, sacrifice and prayer. This is the holy season of Lent - the time prior to the Feast of Easter.  Traditionally, followers would give something up for Lent - candy, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Over the years, what I have found is that "giving something up" isn't always what one would hope it would be. In addition, when people fail at their attempt to give up, they feel bad about themselves, which truly defeats the purpose of nurturing our spirits. Long ago, I began a tradition of "giving" during Lent.  Rather than looking at the cup half empty and giving up candy or something, I decided to be positive, to give to others - random acts of kindness. For example,  instead of buying that candy bar, one could put the money into a friend's pocket when he/she wasn't looking.  When my girls were young, we took the money spent on pizza and gave flowers anonymously to people in

"My mother always taught us that if people don't agree with you,  the important thing is to listen to them.  But if you've listened to them carefully  and you still think that you're right,  then you must have the courage of your convictions."   ~ Jane Goodall ~ Much like Jane Goodall, my mother taught me that I should always listen, but if something didn't feel right, then I needed to be brave enough to do what I felt in my heart was right.  Indeed, I sometimes have run into brick walls because of my convictions, but almost always, I have found a way over, around, under or through. Tenacity is a great tool to have in your spiritual toolbox! Most recently, as we watched the events playing out in Washington, I have found that the courage of our convictions is being tested.  If we identify as Christians, we are being called to follow the ways of Jesus.  Likewise, if we are Buddhist, the ways of Buddha; Jewish, the ways of the Prophets, a

This past week, I watched the documentary by Wim Wenders on Pope Francis - A Man of His Word. Unlike some documentaries that I have seen, Wenders allows his camera to tell the story and for his subjects to speak to the camera, close and personal. In this instance, the result was inspiring, affirming and enlightening. Seeing art as a ministry, as an ability to serve others - to enlighten, heal, inspire, affirm, encourage and support - is in itself an eye-opener. Too often in our modern world, there are those who see artists as people who don't have "real" jobs. How different things would be if we began to understand that art, in all its forms, is a calling - a ministry - that must be shared, even when it means that it goes unrecognized or appreciated.   I think of Vincent Van Gogh. A genius in his own right, yet totally unappreciated, with the exception of his brother, Theo, until after his death.  Now, he is considered one of the great masters of Impressionism. How