"The experience of separateness arouses anxiety; it is, indeed, the source of all anxiety." Erich Fromm Communication is all about the heart. No matter how serious the conversation or the stakes involved, we want to connect, to understand, and be understood. A successful communication is so fulfilling because the ...Read More
A Love Letter
I love the unexpected – and I never expected to love blogging as much as I do. A Flourishing Life went live in mid-August. Since then 1102 people from 65 countries have visited the site, and at last count, there were 199 subscribers. I can't tell you the thrill I feel when I see that a post has been translated ...Read More
The Warrior’s Way to Inner Peace: Part 3 – Living in Peace
In parts one and two of this series, we examined what inner peace actually means and the qualities of the warrior that are necessary to discover peace. In this post, we explore the nuts and bolts of how to actually live in peace. Inner peace sounds great, and we love it when it pervades our lives, but how can it be ...Read More
How to Be Curious
"If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?" Dogen, 13th century Zen master What a curious title – How to Be Curious. Isn't curiosity inherent to being human and completely natural? Why do we need to learn how to be curious? We are naturally curious from birth, striving ...Read More
The Warrior’s Way to Inner Peace: Part 2 – How to Be a Warrior
“The warrior's approach is to say 'yes' to life: 'yea' to it all.” Joseph Campbell In Part 1 of this series, “What is Inner Peace?,” we learned that inner peace is revealed when we receive all of our experience without resistance. The path to peace is actually quite radical. It means turning our attention inward ...Read More
The Warrior’s Way to Inner Peace: Part 1 – What is Inner Peace?
Google the phrase “warrior archetype,” and you will find magnificent stories of gods and goddesses from many cultures and traditions that highlight personal qualities inspiring us to thrive in the face of challenges. Warriors don't simply fight; they show courage, strength, and perseverance as they take a stand for ...Read More
Is It Time to Forgive?
“He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power of love.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Forgiveness holds the possibility for expanding our capacity to love. There is only one reason to forgive. If we want to be free, if we want to live as the full and unlimited expression of ourselves, if we want our ...Read More
The Wisdom of Restraining Yourself
I used to be very rebellious, and it got me into some trouble. In the name of freedom, I felt like I could do whatever I wanted without restriction, and I certainly didn't want my autonomy compromised by someone else's rules. (Just ask my parents.) Truth be told, my willful behavior did not make me happy. It was ...Read More
Life Lessons from Our Elders #5: Open to Love
"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put in that action." Mother Teresa This is the last in a series of Life Lessons from Our Elders. Here are the links to the first four: Be Present for Your Life, Appreciate Everything but Don't Be Attached to It, Don't Wait, and Accept ...Read More
Life Lessons from Our Elders #4: Accept Things as They Are
This is the fourth in a series of posts on Life Lessons from Our Elders. You can find the previous ones here (#1, #2, #3). I have seen older people resist the changes that aging naturally brings, and I have seen others receive what life offers them in such a gentle and gracious way. The lesson from my elders is ...Read More