The season of spring is vigorous and forceful because things have to grow. We need to move like the wind and in fact, wind is the weather of spring. Spring is the the color of bright green, the element is wood, and the organ is liver. Liver’s partner is the gall bladder. Anger is associated… Continue reading Liver spring
Tag: wellness
Give an hour
The universal switchboard is lighting up and I’m taking a lot of calls. The message came through quickly, as they do, you just have to pay attention. I happened to hear it. It said, give an hour of help toward someone. Don’t hesitate. Act on this. Need help? I’ll give you an hour. Sign up… Continue reading Give an hour
Spring
Spring is a marching band. At first the ground is cold. The earth, parts of it, are still sleeping from winter. Buds flower and awaken pollinators and people. Action is the call of spring. Movement is the motion. It is more yang than yin. We leave the yin of winter for the yang of spring.… Continue reading Spring
Yin Time
Winter is a great time to meditate, or if you don’t like that word, you can just be quiet for a bit. Let’s shine up our kidneys this winter with support and self care for our life force. I once had a sad roommate. In the winter, there was no fire in the fireplace. As… Continue reading Yin Time
What makes this a sacred moment?
This won’t be a linear story. When it was over, I walked away and saw a rainbow between two clouds. I went to the Oregon Pain Summit 2020 this past weekend in Lebanon, which is surrounded by pastures of sheep. A bunch of healthcare professionals got together and talked about how to take care of… Continue reading What makes this a sacred moment?
Needs of the people
Yesterday I served Quaker Oats to Quakers! I’ve always dreamed of this. It started as a joke, as most good ideas do. Me and Penny, of the hospitality team, made an oatmeal bar, a place to put oatmeal into a bowl, then add toppings. Choices were: peaches, raisins, chia seeds, bananas, walnuts, apples, brown sugar,… Continue reading Needs of the people
Help with less answers and more listening
We often seek solutions or fixes to complex questions. There is a way to pause. A way to absorb what is going on before problem solving. Some would describe spiritual direction as a movement toward soul wholeness. A spiritual director is there to help us tune into ourselves. They are not there to tell us… Continue reading Help with less answers and more listening
From injury to function
Injury and wounds call for attention, mindfulness, focus. They demand us to care for ourselves, which is a gift. To learn this is a gift. Below is a list of suggestions brought about by conversations with patients: things to do and not do every day toward recovering from pain, injury, illness. Do the work. Don’t… Continue reading From injury to function
A walk through backwater sloughs in a riparian forest
It’s like the place where Winnie the Pooh lives. It’s not the grounds to prove physical accomplishments, victories, or achievements. About 11 miles south of Corvallis, off Peoria road, Snag Boat Bend is a simple walk in a quiet place. It offers grass, blackberries, willows, water, leaves and trees. There is a bog. Beavers live… Continue reading A walk through backwater sloughs in a riparian forest
Act in favor with all sentient beings
Is there life to it? Does it lead to love? How is that for a couple of good questions? A project? A move? A relationship? What does it feel like when you consider these questions? I learned about these queries through a Quaker study group. I don’t know if Quakers invented it, but they brought… Continue reading Act in favor with all sentient beings