Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category


Living and Dying Well Today

Sunday, July 8th, 2007

The longer I live the more I realize that not only is it important for us to learn how to live well, it is also important for us to learn how to die well too.  I’ve written before about how a good friend of mine invited our group of friends to know him even more intimately as a friend after he was diagnosed as being HIV Positive.  We were all given the privilege of walking through the day to day “being-ness” with our friend Norbert as he faced living and dying.  One of the biggest lessons I learned was that each person gets to trip the light fantastic to their death as they see fit.  It is not for me or any other loved one of theirs to put our beliefs, inspirations and fear onto them. We can share, of course, our own experience, strength and hope but in the final outcome how a person chooses to live and die is their own personal choice. (more…)

Happy Fourth of July!

Wednesday, July 4th, 2007

Ever since I was a little girl, the Fourth of July has been a very important holiday for our family.  I remember when I was about five years old and living in Fukaoka, Japan, our family situated itself right under the huge fireworks display so that it looked like the gleaming bright lights were coming right towards us (I seem to remember some ashes landing on my headband, but I am prone to over dramatization so I’ve never been sure if my memory was accurate!).  Historically President Kennedy had been assassinated the previous November, so Itizuki USAF Base where my Dad was stationed seemed to go all out for this particular Fourth of July celebration.  Even today both of my parents remember how kind and respectful the Japanese people were to them after our President’s passing.  Little did I realize my father’s TTY’s were because of the nearby Vietnam War. (more…)

Policing the Police

Friday, June 22nd, 2007

This article is not what you think it’s about.  Although I could write several articles concerning my opinion about the police force of our nation, the “Police” I’m referring to in this article are “The Police” of Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland, and Sting fame.  Leave it to us Baby Boomers to have to figure out how to do the aging rocker thing with dignity.  Somehow, I feel it must be easier to age if you play jazz or the blues but rock is just a whole ‘nother world un to itself.  I am proud to say that many of my friends who went to see the Rolling Stones when they performed here in Austin last year, were thrilled with the show that they were treated to and many commented how truly “fit” Mick looked strutting about the stage in all his glory and splendor.

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Listening Deeply

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

For this ADHD kid, “listening deeply” is not something that I take lightly.  I have to put all my focus and attention on to the person that is in front of me or I my “tuner” will be spread to the winds like dandelion blossoms on a stormy sunny night.  Some of the tools that have enabled me to focus better include mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects.  Here is a list of some of them that may be helpful for you:More...

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On Second Thought…

Monday, June 11th, 2007

NPR Morning Edition recently interviewed Bono, the lead singer of U2, about his guest editing of special issue of Vanity Fair referred to as the “African issue”.  I love what Bono had to say regarding his guest editing stint and how he came about doing this issue:

“As annoying as I know can be going on and on about the ridiculous issues of huge obstacles in the way of everyday Africans, those Africans, particularly middle class, find it very difficult that we consistently portray them as a sort of basket case. And when we do, we fail them. And we do have to do better at getting this across. And I went to Graydon Carter and – because his magazine –“ - Bono (more…)

Let the “Sun” Shine

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

Several years ago, a good friend of mine gave me some tapes to listen to of Patricia Sun noted philosopher, spiritualist, confident and otherwise amazing being.  Her words stuck in my mind over the years and every once in awhile, fall out of my subconscious into my consciousness to remind me that all is well and everything is going according to plan.  (more…)

What Visions are You Hiding From Yourself?

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Many years ago in a job not forgotten, I received two “visions” or more correctly two ideas.  Each of these ideas had very specific pieces of information for how to carry them out.  Since receiving them, I have done nothing towards either except to talk about them.  On one of my runs recently, I noticed the beautiful Oak trees lining a neighbors’ yard but the Oaks had lots of scraggly branches hanging down that caused me to wonder about my own Oak trees and the “someday” time in my head for pruning the old, dead branches away so that the beautiful Oaks could shine.  I wondered if I died tomorrow and didn’t get the trees trimmed what the evidence of my non-doing would say about me?  It always amazes me when someone close to me dies because along with them goes any dreams, intentions or visions unless they have put them into motion.  (more…)

Mars in Aries

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

(recently posted in www.lifebeforebusiness.com)

In this month’s “Midheaven News” by one of my favorite Astrologers, Laura Waldman, part of the profile of “Mars in Aries” reads as follows: 

Some people will be angry, arrogant or self-centered. Unfortunately, it can be a time of more battles and fires than usual. The best usage of this warrior planet is to be a hero or champion. The world needs protectors and advocates sometimes. Let the time bring you courage and take a risk, operating from Great Love. If you constantly cater to the needs of others, look out for #1 and discover that people are actually happier with you when you respect yourself. Monday June 11 can be a particularly productive day.


After listening to the President’s address today, this seems especially timely.  I want to encourage you to apply the paragraph’s meaning personally with special emphasis on looking out for yourself – with Great Love – and notice how the people around you are responding to you.  I wonder if sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we don’t stop to think (and feel) about how we’re treating ourselves (much less how we are allowing others to treat us!).  (more…)

Name Three Things That You’ve Done Well Lately

Saturday, May 19th, 2007

(posted recently at www.lifebeforebusiness.com)

Was it easy for you to name them? If it was, then name five more things.  If you couldn’t come up with three then read on for some points to ponder.  I don’t know if you’re like me, but for a large portion of my life I have been focused on the things that I don’t do well so that I can learn, grow and change myself into doing them well.  This is a great intention in itself—to improve ourselves—however, it is just as important for us to take some time to notice the things that we also do well so that we can continue down the good road and thereby bring more good things into our world. (more…)

How Do You Handle Competition?

Monday, May 14th, 2007

I have thrown my hat into the ring for the National Public Radio Talent Quest (you can hear me at http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/52 and please vote) and I am suffering from huge “esprit d’escalier” because there are so many other two minute sound bytes that I could have submitted that would have better illustrated my ability to be “host-y”.  It’s almost as if I set myself up to fail so that I could be in charge of losing and have a good excuse; however I think  the main reason was that I absolutely do not know how to handle competition well. Either I want to win or I want to run away (insert Monty Python movie prose here).   The truth is I don’t really know how to lose well. (more…)