Bridge Maker

07/28/2024

I was not aware it is now a tradition to play John Lennon’s song “Imagine” during the Olympic Games opening ceremonies. How it was done this past Friday in Paris was both masterful and symbolic.

Preceding that performance was a clever, upbeat mix of music from all genres, French cultural tradition highlights, as well as the parade of athletes carried on 85 separate boats down the Siene river.

As sunset touched the city of Paris, a small man made island, carrying a singer and piano player whirled unpredictably down the river, propelled by hidden, remote control jets. The top of the piano was ablaze.

As the athletes and public looked on, the wistful and optimistic lyrics of “Imagine” for world peace wafted across the water. Camera shots of the crowd registered yearning and solemnity. By the time the song finished, I doubt there was a dry eye anywhere on either side of the cameras televising the event.

The experience was mesmerizing. How perfect to metaphorically symbolize in a musical performance the choice being asked of us, every moment of every day. Things may be or feel on “fire” in our lives and in the world. The path we travel in life individually and collectively not one we can entirely predict nor control. Yet, at the center of all that are always the questions: Will you choose peace anyway? Will you let go of the separation based on perception, judgment, fear, bias and National identity to embrace the love in yourself and in others as fellow human beings, sharing this planet?

It’s time to claim peace. It must and will only start with an individual choice that will amplify outward from all who make that decision. Then, hold fast to it with faith and will, despite the chaos until there is nowhere on the Earth left untouched by its transformative presence.

07/28/2024

Nothing is more important than empathy for another human being's suffering. Nothing. Not a career, not wealth, not intelligence, certainly not status. We have to feel for one another if we're going to survive with dignity.

Audrey Hepburn

07/15/2024

This is one of the best descriptions of the work before us as humans and Americans. Enjoy.

07/03/2024

The most important things we have control over is what we do with our time and attention. These two things are the source of our wellbeing, mental clarity and health, emotional stability and centeredness, physical ease and ability to relax, spiritual expansion and growth...or the downfall of the same. Living a life filled with aliveness, curiosity, connection and peace is based on the choices we make with our time and attention.

To begin the process of understanding your relationship with these two factors, pay attention to where you "live" in your thoughts. Are you so fixated on a goal in the future that the present has become invisible? Has part of your energy become imprisoned in the past by a disappointment or painful experience such that imagining a desired change seems impossible? Do you feel shut down or numb, preferring to do things that keep you in that place than charting a new path for yourself? Are the goals you feel are important: ideas, opinions or ways of being ones that others have given you, or are they based on authentic choice?

Tease out who you are from who you have been conditioned to be by asking such questions of yourself. Get curious about who is running the machinery of your life that drives choices about where you invest your time and attention. Make sure that person is you and not a parent, partner, boss, fear, regret, etc.

I was recently reintroduced to the interviews Bill Moyers did with Joseph Campbell about his book, The Power of Myth. Joseph was sharing what he had learned from studying the range of stories told down the ages by humankind. He said it is often misquoted that the greatest regret people have at the end of life is what they left undone. He said the truth is most wished they had spent more time FEELING FULLY ALIVE.

So, I will wrap up this invitation by asking you to consider what it is that makes you feel fully alive. Personally, I have found the answer to this question a relief because I realized what makes me feel alive is simple, accessible and ease to find. The ironic thing is the more I invest in these experiences the more energy, sense of personal fulfillment and joy I feel. Investing time and attention in these activities on a regular basis has opened up my creativity and capacity to work towards goals that I choose because feeling alive energizes me like nothing else can. Getting clear on what brings "life" to my life has also uncluttered my aspirations and the pathway to achieving them by peeling away all that is not authentic to me.

The only way there is through...through some discomfort and perhaps a little embarrassment. The work is necessary. It can be postponed but not avoided. I assure you, if you do this work you will feel freer, more centered, happier and clearer about what sources your joy, energy and life. These are the things worthy of your precious time and attention now and always.

03/22/2024

"Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way." - Franz Kafka

Embrace change. It's inevitable for growth. Together we can shift pain into wonder and love, but it is up to us to consciously and intentionally create that connection.

03/04/2024

It is so important to commit to being conscious about what we believe and why they believe it; especially if such beliefs fill us with fear, anger and a desire to do harm. When these emotions show up, it is a sign we have allowed our thoughts and/or beliefs to pull us away from our center of clear thinking, peace and natural curiosity.

When we are stressed and pulled away from our centers, our thinking moves into the Reptilian Brain where the only options are fight or flight. In this emotionally-highjacked state we are vulnerable to believing lies because we cannot think clearly, much less logically. Any decision or action made from this state of being is usually reactive and counterproductive.

So, notice how you feel. Ask many times a day, "How am I feeling right now?" Doing this consistently conditions us to be more in touch with our emotions as well as more clearly identify them. Feel and breath into them. Ask "Why do I feel this way?" Wait for the answer. It might come as an image, a memory, etc. Be open to how the answer will make itself known.

If the answer is the emotion is tied to something you heard, read, or was told by another person, get curious. First, get clear and re-center. Admit to yourself (ideally out loud) what you are feeling and the thoughts and beliefs related to those emotions. For example, I realize something I heard a co-worker mention makes me fear my job will go away. So, I admit to myself what I heard is bringing up thoughts like: I hate job searching. I am fearful about losing my ability to take care of myself financially, etc. Keep going through the list, noticing how stating how you feel and what shifts your general feeling state. Expressing how you feel and the thoughts that are generating those emotions will result in their release.

Now, back in your center, dig into the information you were provided to confirm it is true. Own what you believe by verifying the source of the information is valid, truthful and fact-based. After all, there is no reason to allow something to rob you of your peace and centeredness if it is not true.

There is A LOT of information being showered on all of us every moment of every day. This alone can feel overwhelming. All the more reason to re-claim your center when pulled away from it, as well as verify you are not being misled, lied to and manipulated away from your peace. Peace is not something you are given. It is a space you claim within yourself because it is always available within you. Nothing external can connect you to that peace (even though it is tempting to believe this is the case). You need to desire it enough to claim it. A good first step is noticing when you are not at peace and why, then mapping your way back to your center.

I'd like to share one more detail to keep in mind when claiming peace within. When stressed, it can feel easier to do coping or numbing behaviors rather than feeling, much less facing our emotions. This can show up as overeating, becoming addicted to being busy, binge watching T.V., abusing drugs and alcohol, etc. If these behaviors are showing up, do the self-inquiry outlined above to learn the underlying beliefs and/or emotions at their source. Then do the emotional clearing and centering process to claim and return to peace.

I have personally found using tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique - EFT) VERY helpful for both emotional clearing and re-centering. I highly recommend EFT. Here is a video which explains the basic technique.

Download The Tapping Solution App for FREE now at: 📲 http://bit.ly/TTSYT-AppAccess over 300 tapping meditations on a variety of topics including:💖 Stress ...

02/27/2024

If you desire to be strong, be gentle.
If you desire to be powerful, be kind.
If you desire to be rich, be generous.
If you desire to be smart, be simple.
If you desire to be free, be yourself.

-Unknown.

07/22/2023

Wise words from a man whose eyes were opened to this truth over time. To this statement we can add LGBTQ and women. Let’s not forget history. Let’s build a better future together.

03/16/2023

01/08/2023

If you come across someone who possesses in their life or self something you desire, it is the Universe inviting you to manifest more of your potential. Get curious and consider asking this person to mentor you.
If someone tells you they admire something you have created, or a quality you have, it is the Universe reminding you to gracefully receive a compliment, express gratitude and open to be of service to others.

12/26/2022

Hello, All.

As the year winds to an end, I usually take some time in the silence between Christmas and New Years to reflect on the past 12 months. What did I learn? On what did I fall short? What dreams are still sitting on the shelf I have not taken down to play with or manifest?

It might be because I live in the Midwest, or societal pressures being what they are, I always feel surprised to finish another year still single. I have received many gifts over the years from not being married that I could never have imagined. So, please do not think I am feeling sorry for myself, or am thinking something ”is wrong” with me. I know society reaches for and assigns such labels swiftly and easily with reckless abandon. However, I also know it is my choice to what degree I allow such external “assignments” to define my identity.

As a quote in the April 1968 edition of Readers Digest once stated, ‘Old age sure ain’t for sissies.’ I would add being single beyond the age of 40 to that sentiment. My father once told me I was being “selfish” to remain single so long. Selfish? How is it selfish to deal with life head on without the buffer or support of a partner? Handle all the ins and outs of renovating a home without another person to help defray the decisions, headaches and costs? How about going on vacation, dealing with illness and car repairs by yourself?

Sorry, Dad. This is not your generation. A lot has shifted in how people connect and relationship expectations. If I simply desired to “be” with a man in relationship, I would have been married a long time ago. I have no desire to be in a traditional relationship. I am a whole person who deserves and desires to love and be loved in all my perfect imperfection.

I can certainly create whatever I focus on. I’ve done that over and over enough to feel confident in that ability. So…what’s keeping this creation from coming off the shelf in 2023? Good question. Not sure. Habit? Too comfortably uncomfortable as I am? Tired of dating sites and apps?

I guess I have some digging to do! This will definitely be an adventure. I’m worth it though, and so is he. I’m looking forward to meeting him!