Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week's episode, I acknowledge how full the month of December can be. Are you also finding this month to be full with holiday preparations, full with things to do, full with parties and events to attend, and full of emotions? It can be exciting and stressful. Our bodies will partner with us in the overwhelm and help carry the full load for us.

May we be present to the fullness of life, the hurt, pain, tenderness and generosity. May we allow ourselves to feel deeply. May we nurture ourselves in our vulnerability. May we embody love, truth, and justice and allow those words to dwell among us in this very full month. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I share how my week reflected the snowball effect captured in the humorous children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff and brilliantly illustrated by Felicia Bond. One thing leads to another and another and another, and before you know it, a simple gesture set off tasks, projects and investment well beyond what we initially intended. It began with the clearing out of kitchen shelving, then the kitchen pantry, then a new hinge for a cabinet door, which reminded us that the kitchen window needed replacing. Listen to see what unfolds from there! I'm guessing you might be able to relate! Let's keep a sense of humor when the ball gets rolling! Here's to dealing with home improvement projects and knowing that when you give a mouse a cookie, the story is not over! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I reflect on all the change that happens around us and the wisdom of learning to embrace change. There are the changes in season, temperatures, clothes and food, changes in friendships and activities. I also noticed when organizing my Holiday Card list, how many people changed homes so I needed address updating. I was struck by the number of loved ones who have died this past year. Their absence has an impact on me along with a web of other people, all experiencing changes without these individuals in our lives.

I am comforted by the Buddhist teaching on impermanence, that everything that comes also goes, everything that lives must die, and everything that is created will crumble. Change and self-discovery are intertwined. May change not be feared but a force that propels us forward. There are plenty of changes that I embrace wholeheartedly and plenty that I resist, so may we honor the life long journey we have to practice embracing change. Enjoy the podcast!

As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd highlight the gratitude theory and the 4 A's of gratitude: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Appreciation and Action. This week is an ideal time to be reminded of the power of an attitude of gratitude. A grateful mindset can lighten us, enrich what is in front of us and help us navigate our challenges. A grateful heart shifts our own mood and positively impacts those around us. May we give thanks every day by cultivating a gratitude theory with the 4 A's. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode I honor Jude Vasquez, a beloved soul who shockingly died at the age of 34 from a heart condition. My son, Wil considered Jude not only one of his closest friends, but his bonus sister. Wil took this stunning photo of Jude, his Silver Queen. I describe the unexpected blessings I received when I attended a Celebration of Life gathering for Jude at the Bushwick Flea Market.

As Rumi says: "Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through, and be silent." Listen to the podcast to hear of all the small wonders I observed. Thank you, Jude, for reminding Wil that it is in feeding the hungry, comforting the sick and working for justice that we see the face of God. May we each observe the wonders that occur around us, even in unexpected places. May we feel the artistry moving through and be silent. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, there were two things that ignited hope for me this past week. One was the championing of ordinary people by the new mayor of NYC, Zohran Mamdani. Witnessing a leader with compassion, courage and integrity stirred in me some much needed hope.The other was how powerfully the black voters came through, once again, to ensure most of the blue wins across the country. As Kieth Boykin points out "Black voters show up for policies that help every body: affordable housing, lower utility bills, jobs, justice and democracy itself!"

Hope is ignited in me when we speak up against hatred, violence and corruption! When we take a stand for decency, respect and honoring the constitution. May we unite in justice, in truth, and in joy. May we come together to empower the marginalized. May we continue to ignite hope. And may we find creative ways to keep that hope alive! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, as we are in the heart of the Autumn season, I describe what it means that the veil is thinner. The boundary between the physical world and the spiritual world is more permeable, therefore the veil is thinner. This thinner veil allows for greater, more direct communication with our spirit guides, our deceased loved ones and ancestors.

So in this period of the veil being thinner between the physical and spiritual realms, may we acknowledge and honor the dead. May we remember them, tell stories of them, carry on their interests, values and light. May we let go and embrace change. May we welcome the clarity, guidance and support of the spirits. May we expand our consciousness, to trust that we are spiritual beings housed in physical bodies. May we have a better sense of our own eternity. Happy Thinner Veil Season! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I highlight Leigh McGowan, also known as Politics Girl, who tells it like it is. Her honest, courageous posts inspire me to speak my truth, particularly these days when speaking truth is ignored or punished by this administration. @iampoliticsgirl helped me process the profound, invigorating and joyful experience of the NO Kings protest we attended in NYC on October 18th. And despite 8.2 million people showing up in every state in this country, along with incredible global support from over a dozen countries around the world, Trump and JD Vance attempted to vilify and negate the marches. May we be critical thinkers, during these volatile days, and be informed by those we respect, trust and rely on to tell it like it is. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @iampoliticsgirl YouTube: Politics Girl

On this week's episode, I highlight the No Kings 2.0 protest that happened this past weekend and the importance of this event. In addition to it being one of the largest protests in American history, and the solidarity and invigorating energy it filled me with, the protest is one of many necessary actions we need to take to stand up to Trump's unconstitutional violations. I share a clip from Keith Boykin, who describes the coup that is in progress from this administration. Our democracy is at stake and we must join together to stop the political corruption, military force and horrific injustices. May we express our concerns, our values and our vision for a world of justice, equity, integrity and compassion. May human dignity, respect and justice be restored. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG @keithboykin NoKingsNYC.com

On this week's episode, I highlight the second word in the title of my podcast: UPLIFT. Even in the midst of hatred, violence and negativity, we can focus our attention on what lifts us up and how we might lift up others. I reference Hafiz' poem about Joy, particularly the line that says "we were created to smile, to love, to be lifted up and lift others up".

May we honor what we were created for - let yourself be lifted up and enjoy lifting up those around you. Let the kindness, thoughtfulness, and gratitude naturally flow with ease. Happy lifting! Enjoy the podcast!