Episode 259 Called To Dance
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
For today’s holiday, we are taking the week off from recording a new episode. Instead, I decided to re-release episode #175 “Called to Dance”, that came out in August of 2021. May you hear Hafiz’ call to dance and be reminded of your deeper truth, your radiant light. Check out the the links below for Hafiz’s poetry, to Barbara Holmes, and the Center for Action and Contemplation. Enjoy the podcast! ------------------------------- Hafiz's poem reminds me that we are called to dance. I’ve used this beautiful poem as oxygen, especially when I was feeling the darkness and...
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Episode 258 It's The Little Things
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I pay attention to the little things in life that move me. May we be nourished by the little things that happen everyday. May we contribute to the exchange of little things for ourselves, with others and with all living creatures. May the little things comfort and connect us to all that is bigger than us. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 257 Time To Reflect
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I emphasize the importance of taking time to reflect on our experiences. We have a better chance of learning from our experiences when we take the time to reflect on what we just saw, heard, said and felt. There are not only lessons to be learned but growth and even transformation to be had. Apply 4 simple questions to specific areas of life: friendships, relationships, jobs, career, health and life. What’s working for you? What would you like shifted? What would you like to see that is not happening? What would you like to see more of that is happening and...
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Episode 256 An Irish Blessing
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On today’s episode, I share an unexpected encounter in Dublin, Ireland that I’m calling An Irish Blessing. It occurred on the Grattan Bridge, one of the few bridges over the River Liffey that had benches. I had just finished reading Michelle Obama’s book “The Light We Carry” when a man kindly asked if he could sit on the end of my bench. Unintentionally, we both participated in a social experiment, which broke the ice for him to share his life story. I was blessed by his humility, vulnerability and gratitude. I blessed him with my interest and compassion. We carried our light,...
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Episode 255 Poetry In Motion
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I describe how I am experiencing Poetry in Motion. Thanks to Upper Nyack’s River Hook Preserve, and their Arbor Day celebration, we now have poems displayed at the preserve from a dozen local poets. You can read each poem as you meander through the grounds of the Preserve. I share five of the poems that were on display. May you experience poetry in motion, literally and metaphorically. May we see the organic poetry of nature. May we live our lives poetically, in graceful, intentional motion. Check out links below to learn more about Nyack’s Arbor Day Celebration....
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Episode 254 Converse With Nature
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
With the celebration of Earth Day a couple of days ago on April 22, I offer an idea that you can practice on any day throughout the year. This practice is a shift in mindset and will not only help you honor the earth, but more profoundly heal the earth. Inspired by Victoria Loorz’s book “Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us Into the Sacred” try conversing with nature. Conversing with nature, is a reciprocal act, enriching our relationship with our beloved planet earth and allowing the earth to enrich us. Give it a try. Begin with a sense of wonder. A conversation includes both...
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Episode 253 Pete Dominick, podcast host, comedian
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Pete Dominick. Pete is a stand-up comic, news commentator, and journo-activist. After 12 years of hosting a 3 hour live radio show on Sirius XM, reporting for CNN, a panelist with Bill Maher and being the warm-up comic for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and currently John Oliver, Pete has created, produced and now hosts his own podcast: “Stand Up with Pete Dominick”. He describes his show now as ‘NPR with personality’, for Pete likes to make people laugh and think at the same time. At the time of this recording Pete was considering running for our local Town Council,...
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Episode 252 Justins For Justice
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
The Tennessee 3, surprisingly provided me a profound Spiritual experience this past week. You don’t need to be religious or practice Judaism or Christianity to find liberation and resurrection in how the two Justins conducted themselves, in order to rise above the racism and authoritarianism from the Tennessee House of Representatives. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones proudly represented the people whose children had just been murdered, represented the marginalized, gave voice to the voiceless. The two Justins gave me hope, invigorated me with new life, with a promising vision forward....
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Episode 251 Time To Play
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, just after April Fools Day, we PLAY with the power of PLAY! From definitions, childhood memories and numerous researched benefits of PLAY, I spell out why play is so important. Let play lighten your day, infuse you with curiosity, spontaneity, creativity and joy. As George Bernard Shaw said: “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” May this podcast remind you how good it feels to play, no mater your age and encourage you to find time to play! Enjoy the podcast!
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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...
info_outline 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 share an excerpt from Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” that crystalizes this truth. Mandela also highlights how critical it is to look back at history, be mindful of the present and intentionally live into a future that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
IG of Lee Merritt @leemerrittesq
Lee Merritt on Twitter
IG of Patrice Cullors @osopepatrisse
Nelson Mandela “A Long Walk to Freedom”