Mary continues her thoughtful journey of engaging the unfolding story of destruction that is all around us in these times. Is kindness to others, and occasionally marching in the street enough? We don’t know, because we are in the middle of a very long story, which for avid readers is the best kind. Mary finds hope in a truism from the tradition of storytelling – “everything turns out OK in the end,” and she draws on her personal experience of living through a sad and fraught story for decades, and then experiencing its transformation into blessedness. Enjoy this Helluva Mother’s Day Tale and have some Kleenex handy for this one!

Sometimes the best remedies in life are the simple ones: you can take time to be with a favorite old friend, and take delight in your pets or the wildlife near you. Step out of your head and drop into your heart, as you seek the nourishing company of a special person who has inspiring qualities. Cuddle up with a pet or breathe in a bit of Nature’s wild freedom with the sight of some wildlife in your environment. Need to de-stress and seek a re-set? Enjoy this easy bit of encouragement from Mary Hayes Grieco. The storytelling about crows starts at 9:40.

Mary leads us in a thoughtful reverie about the place that the experience of a catastrophe has in our life and growth. From personal catastrophes like a bad accident or a debilitating illness or the sudden death of a friend –  to collective experiences like fires, floods, terrorist attacks and riots, the nature of catastrophe is to come upon us suddenly, unexpectedly. Despite its traumatizing effects, it has the power to open us up to a larger sense of life and how we belong to it. From a large-scale event like a tornado to a small and intimate moment of losing a baby in a late miscarriage, a catastrophe is shocking and intense, frightening, and wonderful, and in this podcast, Mary goes there.

At the time of the Inauguration, Mary invites you to join her in continuing to process her deep worries about the nation, and to find the way forward. What is the medicine for this, she asks, and how do I wake up to a good and hopeful day? The answer:  A renewed commitment to powerfully living her values, and affirming community with the many people who are deepening their commitment to amplify what is good, every day.  She shares a beautiful short prayer from the Waldorf schools, (9:24) and tells a fine tale about being roped into doing a good thing on a very cold day. (10:00)

Mary emerges from some winter snoozes and from her election
disappointment, to a fresh burst of energy available to participate
fully in … what? Something. Cozy up and spend a little time together
as she entertains a poignant life question: “what do I belong to, now?”
She also shares a few essential thoughts from Eckhart Tolle, and writer
Annie Dillard. Enjoy!

Mary invites us to join her in her enthusiasm for more rest and quiet than usual, at Winter Solstice. Enjoy her musings about the importance of taking charge of our time for rest and for personal pleasures during the busy holiday season. Brain science supports the importance of silence! Mary reads a poem she wrote for her introvert husband, “Monastery,” and a lovely poem by E.E. Cummings, “now i lay, with everywhere around me.”

Mary continues to share her thoughts about going beyond her disappointment about the American election. Once again, she renews herself with her pathway of Unconditional Love and Forgiveness, and shares some comforting nuggets of wisdom from a soulful level, about the wish to do something, sometimes, when nothing can be done. It’s a timeless message of peace during our times of great worry and stress. This podcast is short and sweet, and we hope it blesses you.

Mary returns to her podcast with a warmhearted flourish after a period of fallow silence, to address the need of re-weaving a sense of “we” in American society in these post-election times. It’s simple. Be ready to see the good, say the good, foster the good in the lives of those we meet, no matter what side of politics they walk in. Stand strong in the light of dispassion towards the world’s troubles. For those who are weary and worried in spirit, let’s remember the simple power of homemade soup, a good night’s sleep, and being a courteous and friendly driver. Contemplate this: there is no size to the goodness you can bring, no deed too small. 

Mary Hayes Grieco is back with you again, in this new solo era of The Rise and Thrive Podcast. Today Mary reads two essays from her perennial book, The New Kitchen Mystic: “Loss” and “Getting Up Again.” These pieces are like vitamins or a soothing balm for your resilient heart, because the experience of loss is something that visits our lives time and again. Please pass this podcast on to someone you know, who’s in the middle of such a time – they will find that Mary’s voice, her philosophy, and her heartfelt personal sharing is good medicine!

This is a story that Mary tells from her recent experience with opening her heart to a homeless woman. Choke-up Alert! This is a sweet and sad story – enter in with your own brave and kind heart.