Send us Fan Mail

Do you ever look at all the things in your life that would never have happened if you had not said yes? Maybe it's something big like marriage, starting a family, starting a certain career, or taking a job. Or maybe it's small like choosing a hairstyle, reading a certain book, or picking up a new hobby. Whatever the choice, the impact of that "yes" started a ripple effect of experiences that we could never have predicted. Life is a huge room of unknown experiences with unknown outcomes, and we stand at the door, holding the handle.

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Studies have found that “knowing who you are” helps develop an internal sense of self-esteem; strong commitment to doing well in school, work, or play; a strong sense of purpose in life; confidence in one’s ability to make a difference. These are hallmarks of the components that help us construct our identity. It's different for each person depending upon the experiences one has had in life. 

I found a quote recently that made me ponder its meaning. But I decided we can interpret it in whatever way is meaningful to us. Charlie Simic said, "Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships." To me that seems to be talking about our identity. What do you think?

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Mary Pipher, wrote in her book, The Shelter of Each Other, "Real communities give people a sense that they are all in this place together. People who live together have something that is fragile and easily destroyed by a lack of civility. Everything you do matters. Relationships are not disposable....Over the internet, people can be deleted the second they become annoying or tiresome....One never needs to see or talk to anyone again." She goes on, "We've moved from primary to secondary relationships, appearance has become much more important to us." That was written in 1996. 

Then, as now, as always, relationships are everything. Without them, loneliness devours. Pipher has an Irish Proverb at the beginning of her book that is most poignant, "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live."

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

In one of my journals, I have a little conversation with someone on a ledge of some kind and a voice below that ledge. The one below calls up, "Jump." The reply, "I'm afraid." The voice below says, "Just jump." The reply, "What if I fall?" The voice below, "What if you fly!" I love that story of encouragement to "go to the fear." It reminds me of that adage I learned in an Oprah magazine long ago. The writer said, "If someone asks you to do something, say yes, and then learn how."

It seems some people have a bit more courage than others when it comes to stepping outside our comfort zone. However, we all have the ability, sometimes we just need the encouragement, the hutzpah, the self-talk, or the story to convince us. But we can usually do what we don't think we can.

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Years ago, I was buying a new phone. It was one of those portable landline phones. The young person checking me out told me that it had a warranty, but it didn't include the battery. Then he added, "But you could just bring it in and tell us it doesn't work, and no one would know." Instead of thanking him and moving on, I said, "Well, I teach young children to tell the truth, so I can't do that." At the time, I was a school counselor and decided to use that as an example to teach the students about lying. 

We often are faced with making decisions about lying or telling the truth. It's a good thing to reflect upon so we will be ready to respond.

Thanks for listening. 

Send us Fan Mail

Today's podcast suggests we try using creativity in combating times of anxiousness or worry. If you don't see yourself as a creative person, that's ok, because as a tool, creativity is simply doing something you enjoy. I found some quotes in The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron, to encourage you.

"Trust that still, small voice that says, 'This might work and I'll try it.'" - Diane Mariechild

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

"I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues." - Duke Ellington

"Creative work is play. It is free speculation using the materials of one's chosen form." - Stephen Nachmanovitch

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

When I ask a question, ask for permission, suggest an idea, etc., I love it when people respond with, "Possibly," or "That's a possibility." Those kinds of responses allow me to dance on the edge of hope. How do we embrace the concept of possibility in our own responses, in our attitudes. Is it a mindset that can be developed? I think so. And with good outcomes.

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

I love questions. I love asking questions, because you so often find something new that you did not know. Just think of the rabbit holes of thought you have heard when people start asking and responding to interesting questions. I have a book on my shelf entitled, Power Questions, by Sobel and Panas. It is filled with questions that can be used in so many kinds of situations. Remember how you felt when you learned something about someone from a few questions that led you to a wonderful friendship because of those questions? There is a word for that!

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Several years ago, my husband, Donnie, was gifted a family heirloom, a beautiful wall clock made in Germany and most likely dating back to the early 1900s. It was brought to America by his great-grandfather, Erhardt Kaiser. The clock chimes on the hour and the half hour. When it was mounted on our wall, and the first chimes rang, Donnie was in awe. He said the minute he heard the chimes he was immediately brought back to his childhood as he remembered hearing it chime on the wall of his grandparents' home. We have so many kinds of reminders in our lives. Some for daily tasks and living, some to bear witness to meaningful times we have lived. Today's podcast pays homage to the importance of reminders.

Thanks for listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Reflect for a moment and try to remember a time when someone gave you the benefit of the doubt. Trusted you. Can you remember how that act of grace lifted your spirits and reminded you that there truly is goodness in the world? Because our newsfeed is filled with quite the opposite today, it is important to be reminded that there are good, kind, and trusting people around us. The next question that might be good to ask ourselves is, "Are we one of those good, kind, and trusting people?" Can we bring magic to one's world by our acts of grace and kindness?

Thanks for listening.