I Wasn't Always Like This

What started out as a reflection on a cross-country drive with my Mom ended up being a reflection on what has been true about my life and this podcast all along....How I live with the darkness. Thank you for letting me share honestly with you. Hope it connects.

This is a long one! Chronicling my journey to Texas to present at a conference and ALL of the adventures that ensued! Also, looking at the choices we have, in any given moment, as to how we want to be in the world. Suffering versus struggling, Thankful versus tantrums, seeking out ways to live with one another as Companions and helpers. During challenging times, this experience taught me so much a...

A meandering journey of reflecting on the 17th of September, Maddie, my love of road trips, the return of "the worst roommate in the world," and - ultimately - about how I am always still learning to Surthrive in this life. Grateful, for all of it. Thank you for listening.

A generous human shared some words he wrote with me and they inspired an onslaught of reflections, thoughts, and questions. The concept of choice, of how we think, of how we create, of how we live our lives....Yeah, it's all in there! And with a song as well. Thank you so much for listening!

Although she often checks in with me, I had to share about this recent weekend I had that was simply full of Maddie! From a dream to the return of a piece of furniture to an engraved brick, Maddie reminded me of a truth that I always hold on to: That I am never alone. So Grateful for that.

A sharing that spans the expanse from my foot in a boot to Black Holes. From Nietzsche to Hawking to an Indigenous Grandfather. This one may be short, it most definitely goes deep. This is what happens when I'm told to sit down for a few weeks! Thank you for taking the journey along with me.

Exploring the concept of Both And and the experience of living life in the threshold. That learning curve of "no-longer-this-yet-not-quite-that-yet." Also known as Goo Time. Instead of life being one thing OR another, we walk through some examples of it being Both And. Along with a peppy song!

Spring is a problematic season for me. It always has been. However, this year, it is just a bit trickier. Please join me in a reflection about change, moving, discovery, and trust. And, did I mention change? Yeah, I know I did. Thank you for listening.

It's my birthday episode!  Please join me as I take stroll back through the decades ending in 3, beginning with the year I was born, 1963. Lessons learned, moments my heart was healed, opened, broken, and healed again. Love, loss, discovery, all that comes with the Pilgrimage that is this Life. Thank you for listening. And, please, have some cake.

It's time to take a deep dive into the true confessions of what scares this reverend! Looking at fear – and a few acronyms for what that word might actually mean – with honesty and courage. From the basics – spiders and heights – to the "biggies": relationships and letting go, this episode is an encouragement for us to look at fear in a different way. To Forgive Edit And Refresh as we start this n...

After a marathon-watching of the series, "Once Upon a Time," this a reflection, a bit of an exploration, on the meaning of True Love (Big T, Big L). The unlikely place I found it. And the potential for it, even when we least expect it. It's also a bit of an affirmation of Hope and Possibility for the incoming New Year. Give it a listen. I think you'll be glad you did. As always, Thank You. 

Inspired by a writing assignment, I was led into the rabbit hole of memory. Looking around my home at all of the symbols of how my life has been filled with moments. Moments of Love, loss, change, laughter, embracing, letting go, and so much more. Moments of Moments. All because I was led to write about an arrow that someone made for me. Hope you enjoy this episode.

A Fall reflection, if you will. A meandering through my thoughts on the life I've lived (so far), the lives I didn't choose, the music and movies that help carry me through the more difficult moments, and, a little bit of Maddie snoring. A true Autumn Melange! Enjoy! Thanks for listening! (p.s. In an effort to not ramble excessively, I omitted the spectacular Ryuichi Sakamoto from my list of heart...

Reflecting on this past weekend, my 41st high school reunion. How amazing and powerful the experience was. Who we were. Who we are. How miraculous it is that we are still here. Looking back as we look forward. Learning and growing. And how, like everything else, it all ties back into Forgiveness and Gratitude! Enjoy!

A look back at the ways I have been Guided in my life (since 1999, that is!) as I prepare for my return to Alaska! Just for a visit, as my Mom likes to remind me! Learning how to Listen deeply, to Trust, to Yield. And, ultimately, to find my True Home, my True Self. Life is a journey, that is for sure. And, within that macro journey, we are invited to take many micro journeys as we find our way. T...

We are all moving through some genuinely tough times right now. Some days, it feels like I'm swimming upward from the deepest part of the ocean. And, yet, I keep swimming. Hoping this reflection on how we can help one another move through – and Surthrive – these difficult and challenging times offers some kind of tow-rope for you to grab onto. Hold onto that rope. Keep swimming toward the sunlight...

As we approach both Passover and Easter this coming weekend, I don't really talk about either of them! What the heck has been going on?!? This episode takes a moment of out of the chaos of the world and looks at 5 ways we can help ourselves - and each other - get through the challenges and remind ourselves of who we are. Thank you so much for listening.

Had one of those accidental revelatory moments! In the middle of a conversation with a friend, I said, "Gratitude is my lifeboat." And the train-of-thought in my mind took if from there! Reflecting on how Gratitude saves my life and keeps me safe. With a sprinkling of a discussion about the not-so-intimidating-or-limiting concept of Spiritual Practice. Enjoy!

On this, the last birthday of my 50's, I take a moment to reflect - once again - on Big "L" Love. Also, I reflect on memories. And on the Truth that Love never dies. It is a gift that we can all receive and give forever. Even when we're not here on this planet anymore. Oh, and also, the value of saving those boxes of old cassette tapes!

Reflecting on this concept of "remission from depression" that I heard about on the radio. What does that mean? What does it look it? Can it be trusted? And how does one explain this idea to a government-appointed psychiatrist?! Thanks for listening!

A brief reflection sparked by a memory from long, long ago. A memory of friends showing pure Kindness to me and my family. Which led me to look at the ways we are - and are not - Taking Good Care of one another. In these times, it is more important than ever to pay attention to this. It's not a difficult thing to do. Taking Good Care of ourselves and others is the best way we can "walk each other...

A reflection on the power and necessity of crying. How crying is good for us (and how a "good cry" can feel amazing), why it's important to not let anyone make us feel "bad" for crying, and celebrating the "ugly" crying that can happen while watching a great movie or listening to a beautiful song. Let those tears flow!!

Thank you for joining me on this reflection about the world-famous - and famously annoying - Knock Knock joke about bananas and oranges. I am still learning how to appreciate living in the beautiful anticipatory "banana" moments while navigating life in a fully "orange" world. Give this episode a listen. It'll all make sense, I promise. Well, I hope it will! And Thank You, as always, for listening...

Sitting with some amazing "coincidences" and the return of long-ago friends into my life. Recognizing how powerful these re-connections are, during these Days of Awe - the Holy Days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Reflecting, remembering, forgiving. It's all about Kindness, folks. Hope you enjoy this one.

The words: Lazman hazeh are the words at the end of a Hebrew prayer, the Shehecheyanu. They translate to: For this time. Between swimming every morning and then watching a Marvel series the other day, I was led to reflect on what it means for me to be present IN each Now moment. In each: For this time. Gratitude. Sadness. And an appreciation for every single thing. That's where I landed.