Family Yoga Retreat in Kona
Imagine 11 family members, ages 1 to 82, glamping out at an ocean-front, off-the-grid, yoga retreat center on the island of Hawaii. Pretty cool, right? When my kid sister first told us her brilliant idea, I had doubts Dad would share her enthusiasm. But my sister worked her magic, and Dad and Mom agreed. A few months later 4 sisters, 3 brothers-in-law, one niece, 2 parents, and a friend convened at Hale Kai. This is no ordinary place. Hale Kai (Hawaiian for Ocean House) is a charming ecological yoga center designed and built by David...
read moreChallenges with the Creative Process
The Creative Process has all kinds of stumbling blocks, hurdles, and detours. Every artist I know is on the verge of utter despair before the breakthrough happens! Too many songwriters, visual artists, choreographers, screenwriters, actors, singers – gave up along the way. Fortunately, many others did not. This is a pep talk, to myself. Frustrated I’m “not good enough” or “a gifted artist,” I assume it’s harder for me than for others. Standing back, I size up this giant hurdle, and instead of challenging it, pull out my...
read moreFull Moon Rising
Full moon rising radiant and transcendent nearby clouds surround her like a cloak illuminated by her bright heavenly light the concrete city below is dwarfed and insignificant veiled in darkness look to the light, in awe of her magnificence look to the heavens and feel humbled by her majesty
read moreWhat Children Know That Adults Forgot: Walking Barefoot is Good for You
It’s simple and it’s free, and everyone can do it as often as they like. Whether you choose a riverbed, a beach, a mountaintop, or your own backyard, walking barefoot on the earth recharges and rebalances your earthly body. The best shoes are truly your own feet. Your feet have more nerve endings than anywhere else on your body; about 1300 per square inch. When barefoot, your feet absorb the magnetic energy of the earth and distribute that energy throughout every nerve and organ in your body. Walking barefoot increases blood flow to...
read moreBali Rains
The last two nights the rains came, cooling everything and bringing gentle winds. From inside the hut, I awoke to what sounded like millions of jewels cascading down upon us. Listening for awhile to the sweet sound, I was unsure rain alone could make this music. I got up, opened the curtains, and walked out the door. Yes, it is the rain. Beautiful rain. And then it stopped. The second night it rained much longer. This time I recognized its music. It is the music of the rain-stick. When you tilt a rain-stick, back and forth, its small...
read moreForty Year Anniversary of Going Veg 1974 – 2014
It’s not something I ever thought to celebrate. At least not for the last thirty nine years. Somehow forty years is such a milestone number, it’s worth celebrating! And sharing some reflections. 1974. A lot happened that summer. After my 14th birthday I moved to Laguna Beach with dad. Our second floor apartment rose above the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Sixty stairs and I was on the beach. Laguna was a small town of 12,000 people, the majority of whom were artists, hippies, or both. Soon I discovered the best part of...
read moreChildren in Animal Masks: Montessori and The Peaceable Forest
“Can you come? It would mean so much to the children,” Helen asked. “They wanted me to call and invite you when they found out you live in Gainesville.” Helen teaches art at Flagler Beach Montessori school, about a two hour drive from Gainesville. I met Helen last year when she purchased a Peaceable Forest book to share with her students. Now these students are putting on a play based on the book. It’s their end-of-the-year play, so their families will be there too. Helen said, “Of all the books they read this year they...
read moreMy Lover’s Embrace
The aqua green and aqua blue dress he wears, ever moving his powerful wind rushing at me, subduing me, Sand sinking beneath each footstep over and over again, as I reclaim my communion with the beach, with the sea Some speak of their lovers, men or women of this world pining for their lover’s embrace, their kiss Forlorn and listless when stolen away by separation days pass unnoticed, awaiting their lover’s return How odd am I, that the ocean is my lover, the one I return to again and again unable to live without his forceful...
read moreSunrise Meditation
As the sun began its rise in the East, this beautiful verse from a Bengali prayer floated through my mind “With every rising and setting of the sun, a day passes and is lost. Why do you remain idle and not serve the lord of the heart?”* Reflecting on the preciousness of each day, of each moment, was likely spurred by a friend’s letter I read late last night. My friend is recovering from a second cancer surgery, and shared with me, “Every moment is a gift. That’s how I’m seeing my life now.” I appreciate the reminder to not take...
read more“If You’ve Seen One Beach . . .”
“If you’ve seen one beach, you’ve seen them all,” said an elderly man I thought I knew, until he spoke that one telling line. Aghast by such a shallow perception of millions of exquisite, unique beaches, I recoiled. In that moment I doubted we would agree much on life, love, beauty or the heavens. I know rock climbers who are full of fascinating descriptions of the terrain they have crossed and the mountains they have climbed. I know sailors who speak of the oceans and skies with awe and reverence. I know gardeners who marvel...
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