Bonds that develop between people are often strong and seemingly unshakable. We might have our ups and downs, but we are devoted to each other and committed to long-lasting friendships. But inevitably, situations arise in which you’re called to support one friend over another. You have to show where your loyalties lie, and often, the choice is far from clear. You have to search deep within and decide which choice is true to your values and vision and, to the extent possible, honors your relationships.
If I didn’t know anything about The Wizard of Cause, and I had only read the poem in the preface, A Path to Remembering Your Wholeness, I would already be hooked. What a beautiful and enticing way to introduce the book and quietly signal its themes. The introduction of the main character, Avery, draws the […]
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. In my experience, they start strong but fizzle out quickly. I’m more of a fan of regular and consistent attention to habits and lifestyle, to goals and vision. Resolutions are popular because people tend to slip off their desired habits during the holidays, and resolutions help them get back on track. But it’s obviously better not to fall off the wagon in the first place. Easier said than done, I know. Treating yourself during special occasions is healthy. So where is the sweet spot? Where does a special treat start, and falling off the wagon begin?
The old story of a genie in a bottle granting three wishes might seem like a dream come true, but it isn’t obvious to most what those wishes might be or if they would make their life or the world better. Wishing for something different than what you have is a risky venture. For many, there are heartaches and challenges that a wish, if granted, might resolve, but then they would be faced with a question of the greater good. They would have to decide whether the wish should have been used for the world at large rather than fixing their own lives. Fundamentally, the idea that a change will make your life better is also questionable. Each of us makes what we can with the life we are given, and of course, more money, the absence of disease, and the removal of heartache would make anyone’s life marginally better. However, dealing with those challenges is part of life and makes us who we are.
The world has become a complex, busy, challenging place. It can be difficult to cut through the noise to focus on what’s truly important. It can also be hard to achieve mental and emotional clarity. Drastic changes have occurred in our world in a very short time, and people are facing unprecedented challenges, the nature of which was unknown only one hundred years ago. We’re writing the script as we’re acting in the play, and it has resulted in mental health challenges for many, if not most, people. The good news is that we can move toward clarity by acknowledging our circumstances and taking steps to address our challenges.
