Episode 314 How To Sit - Part 2
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
This week I continue to read some practical wisdom from the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. Last week I read the first third of his book “How To Sit”, so this episode includes the reading of the second third of the book. Whether you are new to mindfulness and meditation or a seasoned veteran, may this help you cultivate your inner peace. May this remind us to breathe mindfully. May we drop into the present moment and experience that the present moment contains the whole of life. Happy sitting! Enjoy the podcast! Links:
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Episode 313 How To Sit - Part 1
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, in a desire to cultivate inner peace, for myself and my listeners, I offer some wisdom from Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, who has made mindfulness accessible and relatable for millions of people. So whether you are new to mindfulness and meditation or have a seasoned practice, let this serve as an inspiration to deepen your journey. Starting this week, I will read the first third of his book “How To Sit” and hope that it will help you continue to cultivate your inner peace, knowing that your calm, clear centeredness will positively impact you, all...
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Episode 312 Inner Peace
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I acknowledge all the amplified political chaos that may be upsetting us, triggering outrage and fear. As concerning as Joe Biden’s debate performance was, it doesn’t come close to the continued danger and destruction to our country and democracy that Donald Trump threatens. I outline the clinical criteria of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Despite all these disturbing situations, I choose to stay informed, while investing more energy in my inner peace. Cultivating my inner peace, gives me energy to show up for others with kindness, compassion and more...
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Episode 311 Sweetness of Water
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I highlight a few examples of the sweetness of water. Water is such a healing energy; water refreshes us, reminds us to be playful, hydrates us and sustains life! When was the last time you walked, ran or danced through a sprinkler? May we respect the healing power of water. Let water hydrate you. Let water refresh you. Let water quench your thirst. And may you create playfulness and joy with water. May we honor the sweetness of water. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 310 Blessed To Be Human
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share an inspiring excerpt from Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening, titled “Precious Human Birth”. Nepo explains how blessed we are - in this time, in this place, to be human beings alive in rare ways we often take for granted. This rareness, preciousness, ushers us into grateful living. I offer three prompts from Nepo’s piece for journaling or reflection. Check out the show notes for a link to Mark Nepo’s book and the Maya Angelou clip I referenced. May we be mindful of how rare it is to be human. May we have a deep appreciation for how blessed we...
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Episode 309 Father's Day
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s podcast, as busy as the month of June is, I focus on fathers. From the origins of Father’s Day to the fathers who have parented us and partnered with us and all those doing their best to do right by their children, I honor the important role that fathers play in our lives. Check out the show notes (and share with any fathers) for the IG link that I mentioned: “Jimmy on Relationships”, for tangible guidance on cultivating empathy, building trust, healthy ways to resolve conflict and ways to deepen your emotional maturity. Enjoy the podcast! Links:
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Episode 308 Centering
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I center on center and being centered and centering ourselves. The word center can be a noun, a verb and an adjective. When I feel centered, I feel connected to the core of my being - my soul, my heart, my consciousness. And of course that then connects me with all beings and Divine Source. Being centered, feeling connected, is calming, quieting and also expansive and mystical. I lead a simple centering practice, so take a minute to pause and find your center. May you know the peace and serenity of being relaxed and centered. May feeling centered bring you home to the...
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Episode 307 Brian Cockerham, musician
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Brian Cockerham. Brian is a gifted bass player, most notably laying down the soulful low notes for the incredible Shayna Steele and multi-Grammy Award winning artist, song-writer and producer, PJ Morton. In fact, Brian has been playing with PJ for almost 20 years, acknowledging that their musical collaboration has helped shape him. Brian describes the incredibly profound impact a drummer named Larry had on him, certainly as a musician, but more importantly as a human being. Brian embodies positivity, kindness, and one of the most generous hearts I know. Check out the...
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Episode 306 The Possibility of Peace
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Today is Monday May 27th, Memorial Day. As important as it is to remember those who have died while serving in the military, I also like to imagine a world without war. We humans seem wired for war, but I want to remember that peace is also a possibility. The possibility of peace includes inner peace, peace in our dynamics with others and a vision for world peace. Can we soften that which is rigid in our hearts? Can we have the strength to forgive those who have hurt us? Can we let go of grudges, animosity, stubbornness, defensiveness, and the need to be right? On this Memorial Day, may...
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Episode 305 Rituals: Celebrating Life!
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I look at the power of rituals. All known human societies create rituals. Rituals mark time, create time, and help define beginnings and ends of life’s phases and transitions. Two weeks ago, Paul and I hosted a birthday party for my Dad’s 94th birthday! My father, Stephen Kerry Carr, turned 94 on April 30 and it was pure joy to host a party for him the following Sunday. Gathering a circle of loving relatives into our home reminded me that these rituals actually do help make life worth living. Whether you are creating your own rituals for your daily...
info_outline My guest today is Gail Hovey. Gail is an inspiring author, editor, and activist who I recently met when she was invited to my book group. We had just read her newly published memoir: “She Said God Blessed Us: A Life Marked by Childhood Sexual Abuse in the Church” and we were thrilled to get to know the author. What a beautifully written memoir that sheds light on a largely invisible issue of sexual abuse by women.
Georgia, a seminary-trained Christian Education Director was brilliant, charismatic and used the language of faith to seduce 16 year-old Gail and other teenage girls in the church. Nearly a 40 year process, Gail found the language to understand what happened to her, the courage to express her experience and finally put in writing the impact her relationship with Georgia had over her.
Gail understands the importance of truth telling not just through her personal memoir, but what a crucial time it is in our country, in the world, for us to be telling the truth, facing the truth and taking responsibility for the truth, individually and collectively. Gail’s story poignantly embodies the more accurate, complicated, nuanced layers of life, of trauma, of sexuality, of love. She breaks through the false narratives of dichotomous thinking, demonstrating that our experiences are not one-dimensional: either/or; gay/straight; male/female; right/wrong. Gail’s life provides a rich history, from the 1950’s of the perceptions around religion, sexuality, feminism, activism, race, culture, the healing power of therapy and writing.
Check out these links for Gail’s website www.hoveygail.com and to order her book online, if you are not able to purchase it at your local, independent bookstore. Enjoy the podcast and I encourage you to read her book!
Have you heard? We launched a fundraiser! Tarik Greene and Toney Earl, Jr. co-founded MADE, a grassroots organization to address the needs of formerly incarcerated people. MADE stands for Making A Difference Everyday. Our bass playing daughter, her drummer husband and a circle of their talented musician friends recorded an album last year, thanks to the generosity of Matt and Margaret Balitsaris, to raise money for Tarik and Toney’s program. Please join us in making a difference for an easily forgotten, marginalized group of people.
We’re happy to announce that along with the digital downloads that are available at TheMadeProject.BandCamp.com, MADE Transitions is offering physical CDs for purchase. The CDs contain 3 additional bonus tracks not available at TheMadeProject.BandCamp.com. Thanks for your continued support.
Links:
Gail's web site
Indie Bound Books
The MADE Project/GLOW album:
themadeproject.bandcamp.com (Digital Downloads)
GLOW Music Videos/YouTube channel
M.A.D.E. Transitions (Glow CD orders)