Gail lived with us for several months when I was five years old. Gail was 15 years old at the time, an avid 1970s free spirit, a pot smoker, and
The Mess
I love my mess. Truly. Just like I loved it in my old Dodge Aspen with cigarette butts falling out of the ashtray onto cassette carriers filled with
A Burning Bridge to Now-here
My favorite candle sits on my dining room table. It's inside opaque black glass and sits on its own wooden cover like a little pedestal. I refer to
Ordinary Abortion Story
If you know me at all, you know I try to let my work speak for itself, and I don’t like to reveal myself clearly online. It’s scary for me to be 'out
The Name of the Game
Ever wake up with a song in your mind for no apparent reason? Today was one of those, and here it is by ABBA. The song couldn't be more on target with
Stale questions, fresh answers
I'm treating myself to some new questions in my self-styled spa day today, because my old questions haven't been serving up much joy or love. I
Seeing: a creative’s guide to the senses
philosophical practices in nature -|- the art of trusting your senses The idea to put together this series came this morning in the woods. Most
Tracking Freedom
Tracking is an ancient and natural art that brings the tracker physically into the pattern of nature, by materially connecting the seeker and the
On citing self: academic v. experiential knowing
The greatest teachers of all time rarely cite others to enhance their lessons or prove their validity. Their knowledge comes from experience, and
Your ordinary, extraordinary life
There is a form if you'd like to share on this topic below. The first part of my life, I wanted to be extraordinary. Driven by a distant father who
What you see is what you can free
Don't get trapped in a prison of your own making. -W Leitzen
Abstinence Doesn’t Work
No one's thrilled by the choices this upcoming election. But I don't need thrills from my governance – that's for reality TV. I'm writing to people
Donut Holes & Superpowers:
probing the philosophy of nothingness in daily life How consciousness works, how it lives, dies, and transforms has been a preoccupation of
Idealism, burnout, and collaborative missions
I've needed to abruptly quit a few things in my life. And each time, my departures have left people confused. In general, I'm an upbeat worker,
The Upside Down of Spiritual Awakening
I used to think of spiritual awakening as a good thing: a sign that someone had accumulated enough spiritual merit to deserve to see behind the veil,
Speculation vs Decision: guarantee certainty and mitigate risk by front-loading choices
My eleven year old wakes up early and likes to go on woods-walks with me most days before school. Today, we figured out when choosing between two
Matunuck
Escaping the sleepover fallouttwo extra boys. Legends lp playing then. And now too. The Digital. Quiet happy. Then. and video games. and airy
Slay the Protégé
In myth and in life, Proteges slaying Mentors is an age-old archetypal pattern, and one that represents an energetic exchange that can be uniquely
hitting the speed limit
Tomorrow I turn 55, and I kind of love this age and all it represents. This birthday reminds me of my old restaurant days when I waited tables in the
Being Right vs. Judgement
In my Buddhism practice, there is a practice statement that has been gnawing away at me. It's phrased so benignly, but the implications have been
Practice Notes – Jan 19
I've been taking Buddhism classes with Jungto Society, and I love them. The classes teach about the history, the philosophy, and the principles of
A wake of awakening
This is how I used to envision a life well lived: that every day, a person could leave behind them ripples of enlightenment, that would wash into
Reprise from ’99 – Top Ten Ways to Ease into Effortlessness
Waaayyy back in the day, I was a life coach with only a handful of clients and an overwhelming desire to churn out hundreds of articles. Most of these
Voting to pay taxes in ashes?
I'm calling out those who wield destructive energy, calling to "burn down" the government. (If talking money is the only way to get your attention- so
Survival is a fast car
On a recent talk the speaker asked her audience how many were "in survival mode." One quarter of the hands went up.* I found this revelatory, not
Uncanny Vibe Valley
how to know the difference between the real and artificial I believe our "uncanny valley radar" will be the only way we'll be able to tell the
Doing it ‘nice and rough’ – Tina Turner is my kind of Buddha
I have fifteen minutes to write this. I know Buddhsim works for me, and I want to practice every day. I've tried apps, books, meditation retreats
Ode to my mom’s memory
"I'm living two timelines moving in different directions." I sat up in bed and said that to my husband last night. I've been plagued by night
make all the same mistakes I did
There's been so much discontent between us, eldest kid. Maybe this is from me trying to shield you from mistakes, preventing you from falling on your
Will the Real America Please Stand Up? Birther-in-Chief is Thieving Again
Answering the questions: What is a “birth story” and why is it significant? Who gets to tell that tale (and why does it matter who tells it)? Why has
to women who’ve made themselves a holy mess of wonderfulness
This is a shout out to all women, like me, who have experienced trauma and made themselves a holy mess of wonderfulness. This is a shout out to the
Praying is the last thing you should do
Now, don't get all hating on me for this. I believe in the power of prayer. Because of prayer, perhaps some important people in my life are alive.
Four Styles of Defining A Life
I wrote a chunk of a self-help book over a decade ago. It described the four styles people use to find — and define — meaning in their lives. These
The Nature of Outrage
Subtitled: the lifeblood of propaganda This emotion needs a close examination. Especially now. Especially because it is an "adult" emotion that is
Right to life: MY American birthright.
This is a tough post to write, but I felt I must write it, and attempt to communicate something that is likely felt by many, but hard to
breaking through
I want more than anything to break through. Break through the fog that's clouded my country. The dark, gold dust-filtered smoke that chokes my loved
The Fake News Fake Out
If you are regularly shutting down political adversaries using the term "fake news," you may be falling into a trap. Or worse, you may be
This might take a while…
In the middle of another sleepless night, I decided to give up outrage. It's been flying around me from left and right, perhaps correctly, but it's
Farewell, Fair Man (and Family)
[first posted Dec 18, 2016] I campaigned for you, Obama, and am proud I did so. Since the time you became our president, our family has done