Speaking of Spirit

We have all be told at some point in our lives to "lead by example." We don't have to proselytize, or yell and holler. We simply live the way we know is best and others will see our example. In the photo above, the use of a hand-push lawn mower seems right out of the 50's, but it is last week. We use it because we want to do everything we can to save our planet and keep healthy in our old age.  What a delight when one of our neighbors down the road suddenly appeared pushing a brand new one!  In our contentious political climate, where politicians on both sides of the aisle have lost their ability to lead with truth and justice, let us remember that what we do and how we do it can impact other's lives.  We need to demonstrate to the world, as well as each other, that people still believe in justice, kindness, responsibility and truth. We must shine brightly into the darkness of growing hate, intolerance, despair, and lies.  Leading by example does not...

I remember the first time someone told me to "Forgive and Forget."  I pondered this for days. Forgiving, I felt I could do, but how could I forget?   His Holiness, the Dalai Lama said, " Forgiveness doesn’t mean forget what happened…If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-measures, you have to take counter-measures."   When our world is filled with hate, we cannot forget. We must remember, in order to prevent the hate, the horror, from happening again. Each time we forget, hate rises its ugly head once more. However, we can forgive.  Nelson Mandela when asked why he was not resentful for his imprisonment said, " Resentment is like a glass of poison that a man drinks; then he sits down and waits for his enemy to die." When we release resentment, when we forgive, we heal. This healing allows us the energy, the blessings, the grace to move forward in positive ways. We become conduits for positive change because we are no lon...