The Soul of the EveryMan

Choices made out of fear don’t stay choices . . .they become habits. By choosing the mistake again, and again, it becomes a cage of chains, an unconscious substitute for your true identity.

On Pain We discuss the beautiful poem by Kahlil Gibran, and relate his words to our present-day lives. On Pain Kahlil Gibran - 1883-1931 And a woman spoke, saying, Tell us of Pain. And he said: Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain. And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy; And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields. And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief. Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility: For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen, And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.

Honor the Broken The Japanese mend porcelain by fusing the shards with pure gold. Their brokenness is not concealed. It is honored.

Surviving ‘world-ending’ Grief changes your perspective. We discuss the depths of human resilience.

Secret Perception: Appearances are meant to be deceiving. We all are hidden – most times for our own good.

When all else seems impossible - we Choose JOY

Defeat: We all must suffer it, and ultimately we must make our peace with it. . .for within all our defeats there lie the seeds of Victory.

Healers are people who can listen to your pain without bringing up theirs. They are wounded. In conquering their own adversity they acquire the power to bring light to others.

Vanity Part 2: The Vanity of the Soul – we continue our exploration of this all-consuming topic.

We were not born into this world to escape unscathed. Life is about growth, trial, and change.

The Root of Sorrow: The sorrow that we feel when we are separated from our loved ones by death stems from the body. The spirit observes the sorrow but does not participate. The truth is that there is no separation.

Time: The relativity of Time. We discuss Time and how we experience it and live within it.

Vanity: We discuss this quintessentially human conceit. People associate vanity with the physical, but it is the vanity of the Mind which impoverishes the Soul. With thanks to the poet/scribe of Ecclesiastes, Thomas Merton, and many others.

Toxic People: We all know they are out there. How to deal with toxicity in your life.

“Never give up. . .never surrender!” We all want to quit. It is the heart which says. . .try again.

Old Endings - New Beginnings - our message for the New Year

The tyranny of expectations: Or how to drive yourself crazy for free!

Hating Thanksgiving: How to Grit your teeth and give Thanks anyway…

The Grass is always Greener…or is it? No one sees your struggle and you don’t see anyone else's. Don t envy someone else's life or situation.

The “I” centered Universe: Did the Universe begin the day you were born?

The importance of SEPARATION: Boundaries

What satisfies the Heart? (hint… NOT things)