Episode 250 Geese In Flight
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share how struck I was by a few teams of migrating geese that stopped me in my tracks. Amazed and curious, I learned some interesting facts about geese. Geese have a lot to teach us about conserving energy and working collaboratively together, with rotating leadership. May you let nature and its creatures inspire you and offer important life lessons. May we trust that the world calls us like the wild geese, harsh and exciting - over and over announcing our place in the family of things. Check out the link below for Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese”. Enjoy the...
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Episode 249 Mother Nature
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share a recent experience of how humbled I was by Mother Nature. New York’s one and only snow storm (so far) this winter caught me off guard and frightened me. Thankfully, I reached out for help, admitted my vulnerability and did my best to deal with the challenge before me. Even when we bump up against disturbing emotions and experiences, we can look at how we treat ourselves. May we be respectful of the unpredictable power of Mother Nature. May we allow these experiences to humble us, be gentle with ourselves, ask for help and teach us lessons of love. Enjoy...
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Episode 248 Julie Sherry, physical therapist, author
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Julie Sherry. Julie is a physical therapist, body whisperer and first time author of her new e-book The Attached Buddha. I was delighted to get to know Julie, her warmth, thoughtfulness and positive, compassionate energy. I am eager to read her book, where she shares her personal and professional journey of integrating mind/body and soul, in her holistic approach to healing. It promises to be a rich gift to all who read it! Check out the links below to Julie and her e-book, and I’m excited to announce that the audio book is now available on Audible, iTunes and Amazon....
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Episode 247 Seeing Clearly
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Despite good physical vision, we don’t always see clearly. Bias, worry and fear can blind us from seeing things as they really are. Sometimes we miss what is right in front of us and sometimes we fabricate what is not there. William James, the 19th century American psychologist and philosopher, highlights how little we access the fullness of our seeing, perceiving, and being. We end up living restrictively instead of expansively. Here’s to breaking free from our restricted vision. Here’s to seeing more clearly the fullness of our potential. May we expand our dreams as we...
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Episode 246 Black Joy
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, to close out the month of February honoring Black History Month, I focus on Black Joy. Black Joy can be anything that inspires, supports and uplifts Black culture and people. Black Joy strengthens Black identity, leads to liberation and freedom of expression, can be an act of resistance, as it contrasts the rigidity and control of oppressive structures in non-violent ways. Black Joy is an emotional celebration that honors and values the inherent beauty in Black existence. May we nourish and celebrate our senses with Black Joy. May we all invest in the joy of...
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Episode 245 Look Pain In The Eye
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I acknowledge the intense pain Black Americans have endured for centuries, as we continue to honor Black History Month. And although tremendous progress has been made, the institutional racism in this country is pervasive, persistent and very painful. I feel it is my responsibility and the responsibility of White Americans to not only admit to this troubling history of pain, but to look this pain in the eye. So many of the deaths of young Black people that have occurred in the past few months, are so layered in trauma. The vicious combination of tragic, shocking...
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Episode 244 Resistance
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
We continue honoring BHM this week, focusing on this year’s BHM theme: BLACK RESISTANCE. What does resistance mean? Why is resistance appropriate and necessary? What acts of resistance feel true to you? While I marvel at the tenacity, devotion and inspiration of Black resistance, I continue to challenge myself, as a white woman, as a compassionate human being, to do my part in this noble resistance. I share a simple, concrete action that helped me feel unified with Black Resistance. It also served to honor, Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney and activist I deeply respect, while...
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Episode 243 BHM: Past, Present, Future
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I honor Black History Month as well as the visionary, forward-looking spin on celebrations of Blackness in February, called Black Future Month. We need to do both: look back in history, while dream forward into the future, nurturing the on-going movement for racial justice. And we must face the suffering and trauma of the present moment. I resonate with the quote: “No one is free when others are oppressed”, because it captures that it is not only the oppressed who suffer but the oppressor who suffers for they have been disconnected from their humanity. I...
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Episode 242 Nugget
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
This week I feature my new best friend, who takes slowing down to a whole new level. While visiting our dear friends Hilary and Carlo in their Massachusetts cabin in the woods, I bonded with their sweet pet bird, Nugget. Nugget, is an orange breasted wax bill, a tiny, precious bird in the finch family. Nugget is teeny, weighs 7 grams and is just over 2 inches long. This adorable 2 inch finch reminds me that there is nothing more important than the present moment. And when Nugget rests on my finger or wrist, I can’t help but drop into full presence. These winter days are a great...
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Episode 241 Slow Down
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on some of those helpful reminders to slow down. The narrow spout of my electric tea kettle provides an opportunity to slow down, even when I don’t think I need to. As the water slowly, gently pours from this thinly curved neck, I relax and smile. Be present…breathe…slow is good…focus on gratitude… all is well. May we honor the internal and external reminders to slow down. May we be nourished and replenished as we slow down. May slowing down help us delight in being more present, more tuned in to ourselves and all the richness of life...
info_outline On this week’s episode, I reflect on some of those helpful reminders to slow down. The narrow spout of my electric tea kettle provides an opportunity to slow down, even when I don’t think I need to. As the water slowly, gently pours from this thinly curved neck, I relax and smile. Be present…breathe…slow is good…focus on gratitude… all is well.
May we honor the internal and external reminders to slow down. May we be nourished and replenished as we slow down. May slowing down help us delight in being more present, more tuned in to ourselves and all the richness of life around us. In the words of Simon and Garfunkel: “Slow down, you're moving too fast. You got to make the morning last.” Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
Simon & Garfunkel: The 59th Street Bridge Song