I struggled with motivation at the onset of the New Year. My attempts to launch the year by setting goals or resolutions sputtered. No word for the year came to me, despite regular prayer and meditation. Instead, the questions of "Why?" and "Will my efforts even matter?" needled my thoughts. I…
Orchid blooms bowed toward me as I circled the aisle. I selected a tall beauty with gorgeous, snowy blooms. The horticulturalist grinned as she helped me take the plant down from its perch. "This is a good one. See, the flowers haven't all opened yet." As we began the transaction,…
Valentines Day looms on the calendar next week. Some look forward to lavishing romantic gifts or excursions on their dear love. Those without an amorous partner might share hugs with family or friends. Others will eschew the red and pink holiday and escape by viewing action, horror, or sci-fi films. With…
Got stress? Worry and pressure rage around us at epidemic levels. The American Psychological Association reports, "More than one-third of adults (34 percent) report that their stress increased over the past year. Only 16 percent report decreased stress in the past year. Worse yet, the American Heart Association and Center for…
One of the top human goals is well-being. We all want to feel and live our best. Each of us dreams of achieving a life of peace and joy. Yet the term "well-being" itself proves nebulous and the means to get to the goal even more difficult to discern. What if…
Summer's bloom wilts on the branch-like weeks of our calendar. In the next breath, the season of respite will drift away and wither in the breeze of time. With heavy sighs, we face the next pages of our year. School and work routines loom before us. The angry, red eyes…
We all want more joy. Many of us recognize the need to rearrange our lives in order to experience a greater degree of happiness. But life's demands pull on us with urgency. We never seem to have the time or space to enjoy living. And the concept of clearing white margins…