As I was running this morning, the “Jalad” episode from the Star Trek Enterprise series came to mind.  In this episode, the Tamarians turned the story of a legendary figure who stood up to a beast, into part of their language which is based entirely on metaphor.  “Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra” describes an attempt by two people to understand each other by sharing a common experience. When the Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise was attempting to communicate with a Tamarian counterpart, the Tamarian used the metaphor as an example, helping Picard decipher their cryptic language. (more…)

Every other week a group of men and women from all walks of faith and various nations come together for “Heartfelt Conversations” to discuss what is on our hearts.  This week one gem I took with me was from a Spiritual minister from the Sufi tradition.  She said that there is the belief that if we allowed the spirit within our bodies to stretch and expand as far as it was capable, we would be able to reach for and touch the stars above us. (more…)

We live in a “pocket” neighborhood  which means we’re just enough out of the city limits to enjoy the freedom of nature and are located just enough within reach of the City, to not be too far out. All the homes in the neighborhood enjoy space (everyone has from one to three acres surrounding their home).  Consequently we see coyotes, foxes, raccoons, birds of all varieties, etc.  Yesterday on my morning run, I caught a deer by surprise and watched it take off across the road and effortlessly leap over a five foot fence.  It was amazing to watch how she tucked her front legs up to her belly and swung her back legs all the way behind her as she pushed her chest forward so that the momentum allowed her to cross over the fence without too much effort. I could see where the idea of reindeer flying came from. (more…)

Nettie Hartsock is a good friend of mine who is a writer, editor, provocateur and inspirational teacher. She is a mom of two very special kids, Emma and Gibson and a wife of one zany children’s musician and teacher, Andy Hartsock (who has a CD coming out at the end of this summer with my favorite song, “Five Little Monkeys”).  (more…)