“I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” This quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, minister, abolitionist, and poet who lived in the 1800s. Emerson’s quote caught my attention because of his choice of words that books have made him.  It’s a unique and effective way of underscoring the importance of reading books and also of choosing which books we read.  For what we read does become a part of who we are—a part of our lived experience.  For many of us, it…

I recently visited my daughter, son-in-law, and three-year-old grandson.  It was a lovely summer day.  The sky was blue with some wispy white clouds, it was around 70 degrees, and there was a breeze.  A perfect day to be outside. While my grandson was taking a nap, I took a brisk walk on the trails in the large park near where they live.  The park has grassy areas, many trees and bushes, and a lake where I saw ducks and geese swimming.  I enjoyed listening to the sounds they made as well as to the birdsong of the many other…

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” This quote is by Berthold Auerbach, who was a German poet and writer who lived in the 1800s. One of my friends and I have season tickets to the performances of a musical group based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, called Cantus.  There are eight men vocalists who make up the group, and they are both very talented in their singing ability and also have a stage presence that adds to the excellence of their programs.  They often sing a capella but sometimes they have instrumentalists accompany them, and they too…

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” This quote is by Benjamin Franklin, an American writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, and publisher who lived from 1706 to 1790. I came across Franklin’s quote when I was reading about raising and nurturing children.  Although part of parenting needs to include telling children things and teaching them, I agree with Franklin that spending time and doing activities together is where much lasting and quality learning takes place.  Talking with children, listening to them as they share their thoughts and ideas, doing activities together,…

“The earth laughs in flowers.” This quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, minister, abolitionist, and poet who lived in the 1800s. Because I’m writing this in February and I live in Minnesota, it will be a couple more months before the spring flowers begin to bloom.  And yet each year around this time I start looking forward to seeing them, and I loved Emerson’s quote about flowers when I came across it.  For flowers, with their various colors, shapes, and sizes, do add a kind of joy to our world, and laughter and joy often go hand in…

“God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” When I first read these words of Mother Teresa, I thought about how in our modern world it can be difficult for many of us to find times of silence.  The fast pace, the ever present to-do list, the many types of distractions, the societal pressure to “not miss out” on this or that all decrease a person’s ability to find…

“There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.” This quote is by physicist Albert Einstein, a man who is well known for his many discoveries in physics and related fields.  I’ve found that he was also a man who had an appreciation for the intangible aspects of life, an example of which is the quotation I’ve chosen for this post. When I first read Einstein’s words, one thought that came to mind was how lacking life would be for someone who doesn’t…

“God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.” This quote by British scholar and author C.S. Lewis is yet another way to express the presence of God in our lives and also the truth that life naturally includes times of difficulty.  And that it’s essential to remember that those times of difficulty have the purpose of teaching us vital lessons. Being in my older years, I have had many experiences.  They include being with and assisting my elderly parents in their last years and…

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends, they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” This quote is by Charles W. Eliot. He was an American academic who lived from 1834 to 1926, and he was the President of Harvard University for 40 years. Mr. Eliot’s words caught my attention because of the way he compared books to living beings—friends, counselors, and teachers.  And, although I hadn’t previously thought of books in that way, his descriptions of them are certainly fitting. Reading a book can be a type of companion or…

“Music is an outburst of the soul.” This quote is by Frederick Delius, an English composer who lived from 1862 to 1934. Recently I had the special experience of going to a performance by the National Lutheran Choir. Some of the pieces sung by the 80-plus singers were accompanied by a pianist and some by an organist.  There was a variety of songs, some traditional and some created by contemporary composers.  The talent and preparation by the singers and accompanists, the choices of music by the artistic director, and her directing ability all came together to create “an outburst of…

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” This quote is by Mother Teresa who exemplified what she suggests we all do—be kind to others. I have found that small gestures of kindness can have a big impact, both for the person who is the recipient of them and for the person who is showing kindness.  Thankfully, many of us recognize the importance and positive effects of being kind to others.  Ideally, those who do not will…

“The soul is healed by being with children.” This quote is by Fyodor Dostoevsky, a well-known Russian novelist, essayist, and journalist who lived in the nineteenth century. Reading Dostoevsky’s quote brought back memories of my daughter when she was a child.  I’m very thankful that I had the special gift of having a child, caring for her, and being with her during her childhood and adolescent years.  And I’m also very thankful that she is a wonderful part of my life now that she is an adult. It’s really quite fascinating to see how children grow and change and become…

“Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.” This quote is by physicist Albert Einstein, a man who is well known for his many discoveries in physics and related fields. Einstein’s words make me smile.  To me, his description of coincidence is a light-hearted way of saying that our Creator knows all that happens in each of our lives.  The Oxford Dictionary defines coincidence as “a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.”  When we experience a coincidence, when something happens that causes us to say “What are the chances that that would have happened,” it can serve…

“I may not be able to give my kids everything they want, but I give them what they need:  love, time, and attention.  You can’t buy those things.” This quote is by author Nishan Panwar. I have experienced the wonderful gift of raising and loving a daughter who is now in her mid-30s.  And now I am experiencing the wonderful gift of being with and loving a grandson who is two years old.  Nishan Panwar’s quote certainly applies to parents, but it also applies to others of us who have close relationships with children. I remember when my daughter was…

“Spring is when life’s alive in everything!” This quote is by Christina Rossette, an English poet who lived in the 1800s. I like the change of seasons.  Where I live, the winters are cold and often there is snow, and then it’s the opposite in the summer when temperatures frequently reach the 80s and 90s.  Even though I like aspects of all four seasons, I especially like spring.  In addition to enjoying the temperatures being mild and the sunlight lasting longer after the short days of winter, I like how spring brings with it the promise of new beginnings. Trees…

“You cannot do an act of kindness too soon.” This quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, minister, abolitionist, and poet who lived in the 1800s. When I read Emerson’s quote, I was reminded of acts of kindness people have done for me, including this recent one:  I take a light rail train to and from work.  As I was walking toward the train platform, I saw that the train had arrived a couple minutes early and was waiting there.  I walked faster in the hopes of getting to it before it left.  There was a young…

“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.” This quote is by Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, philosopher, and mystic who lived from 1260 to 1328. In several of my posts I have written about the importance of not being afraid to make mistakes.  Making mistakes is a natural part of being a human being.  But I have to admit that I often need to remind myself of this because I, like most people, don’t like to make mistakes.  I think I feel that way because I want to appear knowledgeable and capable to others…

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” This quote is by Helen Keller, a woman who, although becoming both deaf and blind when she was a young child, learned to speak, read, and write and became a well-known author, speaker, and philanthropist. Even though I know that there are always going to be people who are suffering in our world, I still sometimes wonder why it needs to be.  I realize my questioning is naïve.  But I think especially of people, including children, who live in places where there are wars,…

“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” This quote is by C.S. Lewis, one of the many writers whose writing has enriched my life.  I’m impressed by the creative ways he approaches writing about truths, both through his nonfiction and fiction works.  Among the many books for which he is best known are The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven books generally considered to be children’s literature.  Lewis is also known for his books about the teachings of Christianity.  Some of his best known works of this…

“Some people come in our life as blessings.  Some come in your life as lessons.” This quote is by Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to helping people in need, including by founding charitable organizations.  She and others in those organizations provided care to people dying from terminal illnesses, helped people who were living in poverty, and in many other ways endeavored to treat people in need with dignity. When I think of people coming into our lives as blessings, I think of individuals who have influenced us in positive ways, who we looked up to because their words and…

“Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.” This quote is by Katrina Mayer, who is a speaker, workshop leader, and author. We human beings are connected to nature.  This truth has been expressed in various ways by many people, and I’m drawn to Katrina Mayer’s way of expressing it in her quote. For those of us who live in urban areas, it’s wonderful when we are able to leave the city or suburbs and spend time in the countryside; to get away from the bustle of the city and the sound of traffic and to take in the beauty…

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose.  There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” This quote is by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who was a psychiatrist, instructor, and author.  She is known for her studies and writings about near-death experiences, stages of grief, and her pioneering work to improve the lives of people who were terminally ill.  This work included her insights about hospice and palliative care and about treating people who were dying with dignity.  She wrote several books, the best…

“This is the secret of life:  the self lives only by dying, finds its identity (and its happiness) only by self-forgetfulness, self-giving, self-sacrifice, and agape love.” This quote is by Peter Kreeft who is a professor of philosophy and who has written many books about Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. Kreeft referring to the self dying reminds me of the importance of us decreasing our focus on our ego-based desires and choices.  By doing that, selfishness dies, opening the pathway to giving of ourselves. We give of ourselves by being generous with our time and our abilities, both of which…

"Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood.” This quote is by author John Green.  Reading well written books is a special gift we can give to ourselves.  Although what each person considers to be well written is somewhat subjective and each of us has preferences about what we choose to read, there are clearly books that have stood the test of time, that have received positive reviews from several reviewers, that are required reading for secondary and post-secondary literature classes, that were written by authors who have received awards for their writing, and that in other…

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” These words by the Dalai Lama express how essential our ability to love and our ability to be compassionate are.  I’m thankful that many people have these qualities.  And I’m concerned that there are people who do not—or who are very limited in their ability to love and to have compassion. There are many influences on people’s emotional and psychological development as they grow from infancy to adulthood.  As children, we are influenced by the other people in our lives, especially by our parents.  And over time by…

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” This quote is by John Burroughs, a naturalist, nature essayist, and conservationist who lived from 1837 to 1921. With the coming of spring, I think about nature more often because where I live the winters are cold, there is snow and ice, and the trees other than the evergreen trees shed their leaves in the fall.  So there is much change when spring arrives.  After the cold temperatures and decreased sunlight of winter, spring brings with it milder weather and later sunsets, and…

“The soul is healed by being with children.” This quote is by Fyordor Dostoevsy, a well-known Russian novelist, essayist, and journalist who lived from 1821-1881. A few months ago I had the very special experience of becoming a grandma!  I’m thankful that my grandson is a healthy and happy little boy and that I live close enough to him that I’m able to be with him often.  Having this little person in my life gives me much joy and I can relate to Dostoevsy’s words. It’s fascinating to observe the ways my grandson changes during the time between my visits. …

“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty.  It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” This quote is by Kate DeCamillo who has written many children’s books and who has received a number of awards for her writing, including two Newbery Medals. Reading truly is a precious gift, and is a gift that can be--and ideally should be--given to children starting when they are very young.  When we read to children, we give them the gift of learning about our world, from basic information such as colors, numbers, and aspects of nature—the animals,…

The other day in the early morning, I was going up the outside steps to the entrance of the building where I live when I saw two deer walking along a nearby nature trail.  I watched them for a couple of minutes, and just as I was about to take another step toward the door, another deer came along the path.  And a few seconds after that, a fourth deer appeared.  I again took in the scene for a few minutes before entering the building. Life gives us unexpected gifts.  Seeing the deer was one of those gifts.  I usually…

“When we learn to read our lives symbolically rather than literally, new vistas open to us.  This world, the world of ordinary life, once again becomes ensouled, mysteriously interconnected, meaningful, and fascinating.” This quote by Robert Johnson appears in his book Living Your Unlived Life.  Johnson was a Jungian analyst, author, and presenter, and a man of wisdom.  I recently had an experience that exemplifies the significance and specialness of “reading our lives symbolically.”  I was walking on a trail in a nature area, and for several seconds a hawk flew above and a few feet ahead of me, flying…

“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” This quote is by John Muir, a naturalist and author who lived from 1838 to 1914.  He advocated preserving natural wilderness and has been referred to as the father of the National Parks. As I’ve written in other posts, I enjoy taking long walks and I often walk on a nature trail near my home.  Although I live in a suburb of a large city, there are many nature areas, parks, and trails so that those of us who live here can experience nature even though we are…

“A life not lived for others is not a life.” This quote is by Mother Teresa.  It says a great deal with only a few words.  Her words are a caution to us to not think only about ourselves and our wants and our needs. There are many ways to live for others.  Recently as I drove past an elementary school, children were getting off buses and walking to the school entrance.  I thought about how each of those children is dear to others—their parents, grandparents, and many other people—and of how the parents entrust their children to the teachers. …

“We need nature more than nature needs us. It should be looked upon with awe and humility.” This quote is by Sadruddin Aga Kahn, who was a statesman and activist. I recently took my first long walk outside since last fall.  I live in a northern state and in the winter I exercise inside and wait until the weather is milder to do activities outside.  As I write this, the signs of spring where I live are daylight lasting longer into the early evening and temperatures generally becoming warmer, or at least not as cold as they were a month ago. …

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  Matthew 5:4 Experiencing grief is one of the most difficult things we do during our earthly journey and it hurts deeply.  To no longer be able to be with someone we care about causes a sadness that can feel like it will never end.  In addition to the mourning we do when someone has passed away, we also mourn other losses, such as no longer being with someone who has ended a relationship with us, having a pet die, and other kinds of endings over which we do not have…

“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” These words by poet, philosopher, and abolitionist Ralph Waldo Emerson are good for all of us to keep in mind.  I recently had an experience where I was the recipient of kindness. I needed to go to my job as a crisis line counselor and, because some of my hours are overnight, it was about 10:00 p.m. when I was leaving to drive there.  It had been snowing for a few hours and several inches had accumulated.  I had expected that the…

"Call it luck or fate if you will, this type of synchronicity has occurred so many times that I now take it as a principle that whatever I need will turn up if I am patient and have the awareness to perceive it." This is a quote by Robert A. Johnson, who was a Jungian analyst, author, and speaker.  He wrote several books about inner work, Jungian theory, relationships, and other related topics.  I have been reading his book Balancing Heaven and Earth, subtitled "a memoir of visions, dreams, and realizations.” The quote above is from that book.  Those words appear after Johnson…

“The quest involves listening to your interior intelligence, taking it seriously, staying true to it, and approaching it with a religious attitude.  In Jungian psychology this quest is called individuation—discovering the uniqueness of you, finding your purpose and meaning.” I often write about listening to our inner voice and, by trying to live in accordance with what we discern by that listening, becoming the unique person each of us was created to be.  The above quote from the book Living Your Unlived Life by Jungian psychotherapists and authors Robert A. Johnson and Jerry Ruhl states so well what listening to our inner voice…

I recently adopted an elderly cat whose name is Sasha.  I had had one or two cats for most of my adult life, but when the last one passed away a couple of years ago, I decided to wait a while before considering caring for another pet.  I’d look at the pet adoption websites from time to time but never felt ready to make the commitment.  When I thought about adopting, I was quite sure I would adopt an adult cat rather than a kitten, but not a senior.  My hesitation to adopt an older cat was that she would…

A few days ago I took advantage of having time to take a long walk.  It was a lovely spring day around 70 degrees with sunshine and a light breeze.  In the city where I live there are many crabapple and other flowering trees, and they were in full bloom.  Some had white flowers, others were various shades of pink, and all were beautiful.  Each spring the crabapple flowers bloom for only about two weeks, and I’m thankful I was able to see them. Taking in the beauty of the flowers reminded me of the importance of appreciating the present…

As I’ve written in other posts, I very much enjoy taking long walks.  The time I have to do that is limited because of commitments and, because I live in a northern state, walks outside are also limited by wintry weather and the sun setting early.  But today after work I had free time, the weather was mild, and the sun wouldn’t set for another hour, all of which resulted in my having the opportunity to take a walk.  I’m glad I took advantage of having that opportunity. There has been much written about the connection between we human beings…

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”  I recently had an experience that exemplifies these words of poet, singer, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. I needed to have a few pieces of furniture moved to my home and was considering hiring movers.  There were some items light enough that I could have moved them without assistance, but there were two larger and heavier pieces that required at least two people to move them.  But my daughter told me not to hire movers because she and her fiancé wanted to do the moving for me. They were…

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” –Robert Brault Something I enjoy doing is taking a walk on the trail that is near my home.  It goes around a small lake and is about a two and a half mile walk.  I took that walk this afternoon, and shortly after I started out a light snow began to fall.  It was very pretty and peaceful. I can usually fit in taking this walk around the lake two or three times a week.  In addition to walking being a way…

I recently read the children’s picture book Melvin and the Boy, written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo.  One of the many special things I experienced while raising my daughter was reading to her when she was young.  She is an adult now and living on her own, but I continue to reserve children’s books at the library from time to time to read myself.  In addition to enjoying the stories, I like looking at the illustrations.  The talent and creativity of the illustrators and the various styles of art are impressive.  The illustrations not only reflect the story but also…

Yesterday I was sitting in a chair facing a large window and looking outside while talking to a friend on the phone.  The bright red of a cardinal caught my eye as it flew and then perched on the branch of a nearby tree.  About two seconds later, a female cardinal arrived and alighted on a branch a few inches from the male cardinal.  Although it is my understanding that cardinals live year round in the area where I live, I rarely see them, which made this special.  It was special too that they stayed in the tree for several…

The other day when I was sitting at my desk, I noticed a slight movement outside.  I looked out the window, and I saw a small bird standing on a beam under the eave.  The movement I’d seen was the bird flying to that spot.  And right beside the bird was a nest which, as I was watching, the bird settled into.  It’s spring as I write this and perhaps there are eggs in the nest, or soon will be. In addition to being impressed by the bird’s choice of a place to build the nest that is protected from…

I have been enjoying reading author Meghan Cox Gurdon’s book The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction. As a parent, I knew intuitively that reading to my daughter when she was a child would be an expression of my love and a way to show her that she mattered. I also knew it would help her to become a better reader and improve her ability to express herself. By being introduced through stories to people, places, and experiences outside of her day-to-day surroundings and interactions with others, she would gain a larger vocabulary…

I recently came upon this quote in a magazine I was reading: “To read aloud to someone you love is the simplest of gifts, and one of the greatest.” The quote is by Meghan Cox Gurdon, an essayist, book critic, and former foreign correspondent. I have a daughter who is an adult now, and among my fondest memories is our time reading together. I started reading to her when she was a baby and read to her throughout her childhood years. It was clear we both looked forward to it. In addition to the known benefits of reading to children…

I visited my elderly mother at her assisted living apartment after work today, something I usually do several times a week. She has late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Thankfully, it didn’t start until she was 96 years old. I’m also thankful that she knows who I am and always gives me a big smile when I arrive. I have friends whose parents had Alzheimer’s disease and who no longer recognized them. As much as we all need to accept such changes, it can be distressing when that happens. A pattern my mother has is to tell me how much she likes the…

This morning I walked about a mile and a half from my home to the bus station where I catch a bus to my job. Although I live in an urban area, the walking path I took goes along a small lake and there are many trees, bushes, and tall grasses along the lake. It is early spring as I write this and I enjoyed seeing ducks and Canadian geese on the lake and many other types of birds flying about. I saw a robin—a sure sign that spring has arrived. And I enjoyed listening to the bird song as…

I would like to say thank you to the many people who do the behind-the-scenes work that is essential but that is generally taken for granted. There are many people who work in jobs that fit this description, but I’m thinking about the people who clean offices and other businesses. I work in a building that has several floors. Each day at 6:00 p.m. when most employees have left for the day, the cleaning crew arrives, works several hours, and returns to their homes late at night. And each morning we employees return to clean work spaces and restrooms and…

I’d like to share a synchronistic experience I recently had. When I went to open a door in a common area of the building where I’ve lived many years, the handle felt loose and then came off, and the door wouldn’t open when I pushed on it. So I went to a different part of the building and used a different door. Although that door opened, it didn’t open readily because the metal plate beneath it had become loose and was wedged against the bottom of the door. The next day I was walking in a skyway, and a door…

I attended a professional dance performance today that I thoroughly enjoyed. There were three pieces, each a different theme and style of dance. The eight dancers had prepared well and displayed their high level of talent and skill. The dancers’ ability, along with the creative choreography, music, and costumes, made for a wonderful program. Dance is one of my favorite art forms. I appreciate and respect the hard work and years of training the dancers have completed to be able to perform at the professional level, and I’m impressed by their ability. I think one reason dance appeals to me…

I would like to thank all of the authors for writing the books that have enriched my life. Thank you for listening to that part of you who told you it's time to begin to write. And for staying with it despite inevitable challenges. Reading books written by people knowledgeable about Jungian concepts has helped me to better understand myself and therefore to grow in consciousness. Many of these authors are psychotherapists who have assisted numerous clients, including helping their clients to discern the messages of their dreams and the possible meaning of synchronicities. With their clients' permission, the authors…

Not long ago the employees of the crisis line where I had worked for many years were told that the service would need to close because there wasn’t sufficient funding to keep it operational. This decision had been made by the management personnel of the nonprofit organization of which the crisis line was a part after months of effort had gone into trying to obtain funding from many sources. I felt bad for the other counselors and myself that we would be losing our employment, but I felt worse for the many people who would no longer have this helpful…

This morning I stopped at a grocery store to buy a few items. Because it was early in the day there was only one cashier working, so I got in line behind some other shoppers. A woman and a man were in front of me, and I noticed the woman look at my cart. She said to the man she was with that they should let me go before them because their cart was full and it would take just a couple of minutes for me to get checked out. He readily agreed. I thanked them and said that was…

I live in a state where there’s considerable variation in the weather, from below-zero wind chills, ice, and snow in the winter to 90-plus degrees and high humidity in the summer. And there's everything in between. I like the variety, although I will admit there are times in the winter when I question if I really do! It’s early summer as I write this and this morning was one of those in-between days and it was beautiful. Blue sky, mild temperature, a light breeze. The trees that were bare only two months ago are now full of leaves, and I…

The other day I was walking to the library during my lunch break and saw a man who walked with a limp heading toward the library from another direction. A couple of seconds after I entered the library, I heard a groan, turned around, and saw that the man had fallen a few feet before reaching the entrance door. A young man who was nearby immediately went to the man who had fallen, asked him if he was hurt, and helped him stand up. It was a meaningful experience for me to witness this kind of caring response. The young…

This morning was unusual because several things happened that caused delays on my way to work. The traffic moved considerably more slowly than it normally does. The clerk at a store where I had hoped to make a quick stop couldn't figure out the code to enter from a gift card and continued to make the same mistake even after I showed him the code on the card. The supervisor the clerk called for assistance stopped to talk to another clerk and was in no hurry to help us. And when I finally was at the entrance of the building…

Sometimes when I run errands during breaks from my job, I see a man who uses a motorized wheelchair. This man's body is the size of that of a 10-year-old boy but his head is the size of an adult's. I assume he works in one of the offices or businesses near where I work. I don't know him and I've never spoken to him except to say "hi," but I am so impressed by him. I think of how much more difficult and time-consuming it is for him to get ready for work each day than it is for…

Recently I saw a complete rainbow. It has been many years since I've seen a full rainbow; from time to time I've seen partial ones which are pretty, but this rainbow was especially beautiful. I was on the bus returning home from work, almost to where I get off, and I just happened to look out the window on the other side of the bus and saw it. I wonder what made me look that way. Most of the ride I usually read and when I look out I tend to look out the window on the side of the…

My elderly mother lives in an assisted living apartment a few miles from where I live. Both she and I are thankful that she didn't need to leave her home until she was 94. We're also thankful she has relatively good health for her age. I visit Mom several times a week. I do that because she tells me she enjoys my visits, because I love her, and because it is a priority for me to do what I can to help her have as nice a life as possible. I also believe it helps elderly people to have at…

As I was driving this morning I noticed how pretty the sky was.  It was medium blue and there were many large white cumulus clouds.  What especially caught my eye were sun rays coming down through the clouds.  It was similar to the image I've chosen to accompany this post.  I often look at the sky and take pleasure in seeing its variations:  some days there's not a cloud in the sky; other times there are clouds of various sizes, shapes, and colors--the very white clouds such as those I saw today, gray rain-filled clouds, black storm clouds with lightning…

In my post titled "Acts of Kindness," I wrote about people who I did not know going out of their way to be helpful to my elderly mother and me, and how special it is when people act in caring ways toward others.  Recently I saw an example of an act of unkindness, so to speak.  I ride a bus to and from work most days.  I was on the bus when I heard a young man ask the driver if this bus would be going to a certain suburb.  The driver answered "That's what it says," referring to the bus…

I love my mother dearly.  She is elderly and lives in an assisted living apartment a few miles from my home.  Most Sundays I bring her to my place for an afternoon visit.  She has told me she enjoys the drive and the change from her usual routine and surroundings, and she especially likes to see and pet my cat.  Although my mother is able to walk with a walker, for longer distances we use a wheelchair.  Today as I was pushing the wheelchair toward the front door of the apartment building where I live, there was a mom, dad,…

In my post titled "Unlocking Gifts," I wrote about the synchronicity of a man finding and giving me my car key that I had dropped in the snow and how it symbolized for me the unlocking of my need to write this blog and share what I write.  I would like to share some other synchronistic experiences I have had.  One day my car wouldn't start, an unusual occurrence I'm happy to say.  This happened during a period of time when I was having trouble being motivated to accomplish some things that I knew I needed to get done.  Again, there…

Something occurred a couple of months ago which I found to be meaningful.  I had parked my car on the street in front of my daughter's house where I had planned to leave it for her to use during the day while I was at work.  I would take a bus to work from there.  It had snowed the night before and there were several inches of fluffy snow on the street.  I was holding the keys to my daughter's house and was also holding my car key in the same hand.  I got out of the car and opened…

“Dreams are primarily about the dreamer.” This quote is from John A. Sanford’s excellent book Dreams-God’s Forgotten Language.  Dr. Sanford was a Jungian analyst, Episcopal priest, writer, and speaker.  He wrote several books about Jungian psychology and related topics, and he had the gift of presenting C.G. Jung’s findings and insights in a clear and understandable way. A primary concept of Jungian psychology is that dreams make it possible for information from the unconscious to become conscious.  One of the ways to try to discern what our dreams might be telling us is through our associations to the people and places…

“Our dreams serve our psychic totality, and seek to bring the ego into relationship with the psychic center in order that our totality may be consciously known and lived.” This quote is by John A. Sanford from his book Dreams-God’s Forgotten Language.  Dr. Sanford was a Jungian analyst, Episcopal priest, writer, and speaker.  His books have been of great help to me, and I recommend them to you.  In addition to Dreams-God’s Forgotten Language, some of his other books are Healing and Wholeness, Dreams and Healing, The Kingdom Within, and The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde. As I have written in…

“Dreams are like letters from God.  Isn’t it time you answered your mail?” This quote is by Marie-Louise von Franz who was a Jungian analyst and the author of several books about analytical psychology.  She also collaborated with Carl Jung for many years. Until I was in my mid-30s I didn’t think much about dreams.  If I remembered a dream in which something unusual happened or that in some other way caught my attention, l would wonder briefly why a dream like that might occur, but that would be the extent of my interest.  It wasn’t until I began therapy…

I had a dream recently that shows how dreams address issues that are occurring in the present with the intention of adding to our consciousness and through that helping us to better approach those issues.  It’s also a dream whose messages seemed clearer to me than those of other dreams I’ve had, messages presented by the dream’s symbolic imagery and actions.  Here is my dream: I’m driving my car and I realize my brakes are no longer working.  Thankfully, I’m driving slowly and I’m able to park the car against a curb.  Just before I make a call to have…

"The key is not so much to interpret a dream as to appreciate it and befriend it." I first learned about the idea that dreams have a purpose when I started therapy with a Jungian psychotherapist.  Writing down the dreams that I remembered and talking about them during our sessions was a part of the therapeutic work.  I also started reading books about how dreams help us to learn more about ourselves; how they reveal information from our unconscious that can then be integrated into consciousness.  Two Jungian authors whose writings have been especially insightful to me are John A.…

It often happens that people who appear in our dreams are people we know—friends, parents, or coworkers, for example.  Other times there are people in our dreams we recognize but whom we haven’t met, examples being celebrities, professional athletes, or politicians.  According to Jungian dream theory, as well as to some other approaches to dream work, the people who appear in our dreams represent aspects of ourselves, and that by identifying our associations to those people we can learn more about ourselves which in turn helps us to grow in consciousness. If, for example, a friend of mine is in…

I recently had a dream that illustrates the way in which dreams bring to our attention aspects of ourselves and by doing so give us the opportunity to recognize changes we can and should make.  Here is my dream: I have taken a day off from work and for some reason I’m thinking about whether I have the information I need in case I have to go to the office sometime in the future when it is closed, such as on a weekend.  I decide to go to work to ask someone about that, even though I have the day…

Among the many ways that our dreams are beneficial to us is that they bring to our attention qualities that have the potential of becoming part of our personality.  The images and symbols of our dreams bring to consciousness aspects of ourselves that were previously unconscious, making it possible for us to try to integrate what our dreams make known to us.  I recently had the following dream that exemplifies this: I appear to be in my 40s and have been attending a conference.  There are about 30 people there, including a woman who is younger than I am, perhaps…

I recently had a dream that I would like to share with you.  Because dreams are so personal, I’m sometimes hesitant to tell them to others.  My thoughts about what the dream might be expressing are also personal.  And yet, the main purpose of my blog is to show the many ways that hope is present in our lives.  People becoming aware that dreams are meaningful is a source of hope.  So here is my dream: I’m outside looking at the space along the house owned by friends of mine.  It used to have landscape rocks with weeds growing through…

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."  These words by Marcel Proust, a French novelist and essayist, can apply to many aspects of life.  What they bring to mind for me are the discoveries I made about dreams when I started to look at them in a new way. About 30 years ago some things occurred that led to my decision to seek the assistance of a therapist, and I began meeting with a Jungian psychotherapist.  It was in our work together that I first became aware of the idea that…

I had a dream recently that I would like to share with you, because it’s such a good example of how dreams use imagery to present their messages. Here is the dream: I live in a small apartment in an older brick building. It has a small kitchen, a bathroom, and a living area where there’s room for a bed and some other furniture. A man I know and his family live in a house a few houses over from where I live. I go there and let myself in; it’s understood I may do that. Their home is spacious…

“Our dreams seek to lead us to a kind of inner wholeness. But if we are to truly realize this inner wholeness it must be expressed in our outer life of work, relationships, love and commitment.” These words are from the book Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language by Jungian psychotherapist and Episcopal priest John A. Sanford. Dreams bring to conscious awareness information that helps us to grow toward the inner wholeness of which Sanford writes. When a person reads about dream work and Jungian concepts, records in a journal his or her dreams and related thoughts and associations to dream images,…

In his book Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language, Jungian analyst and Episcopalian priest John A. Sanford writes: “There lives within us what seems like an unconscious source of wisdom which helps us to see ourselves in a different perspective from what we had before and seems to work toward the healing and wholeness of the personality. This wisdom uses dreams as communications, and it enables us to understand consciously those symbolic messages.” It wasn’t until I was in my late 30s and met with a Jungian therapist for help during a difficult period in my life that I became aware of…

I recently had this dream: “I have six dogs of various breeds and sizes, the largest about two feet tall. For some reason that seems logical and routine in the dream, I open the door of a large cupboard and direct three of the dogs to jump up into it, which they do readily as if they’ve done that often, and I close the door. Then I open the lid of the clothes washer which is in the same room as the cupboard and direct the other three dogs to jump into it which they do readily, and I close…

A book I re-read from time to time is Inner Work: Using Dreams & Active Imagination for Personal Growth by Jungian psychotherapist and author Robert A. Johnson. It was published in 1986—more than 30 years ago—but what he writes is timeless. For example, Dr. Johnson writes: “If dreams only served to affirm our pre-existing opinions and assumptions, they would not contribute to our psychological growth at all. Assume that your dream has come to challenge you, help you grow, wake you up to what you need to learn and where you need to change.” These words reflect what Carl Jung…

In his presentation titled “The Eagle’s Flight,” Jungian psychotherapist John Sanford says: “If we follow our dreams, we find that our dreams will correct us, encourage us, let us know when we’ve gotten off the path. Sometimes they will be beautiful dreams out of which we can derive faith and encouragement, and sometimes they will make us very uncomfortable. But they will always tell us the truth. They tell us how it is with us right now.” Sanford bases his comments both on his own dreams and on the dreams his clients shared with him during his many years working…

For many years I have kept a journal in which I write my dreams and synchronicities I’ve noted, along with my thoughts about both. Not long ago I experienced a meaningful connection between a synchronistic experience and a dream I had a few weeks after that. About a month ago, I needed to take my cat to the vet. I was the only person in the waiting room when a woman came into the clinic with her dog which was on a leash. It was a tall, healthy-looking, attractive dog, with a light brown coat. As soon as the dog…

One of several authors who have helped me to better understand Jungian concepts is psychotherapist Mary Ann Mattoon. In the introduction to her book Understanding Dreams, she writes that her principal objective for writing the book was to organize and clarify Carl Jung’s ideas to help people better understand and gain from his findings. It was quite an undertaking because Jung was a prolific writer, writing many volumes stretching over many years. The result of Dr. Mattoon’s work is an informative and insightful guide. Dr. Mattoon writes: "Dreams express what the ego does not know or understand: inner reality, not…

It has been very helpful to me to have learned that dreams give us essential information about ourselves. I say “very helpful” but “life-changing” is more accurate. It was almost 30 years ago that I began meeting with a Jungian psychotherapist, became acquainted with Carl Jung’s theories, and began reading books to augment what I was learning in therapy. Dreams, through their symbols and stories, provide us with information from the unconscious, self-knowledge that becomes integrated with our conscious personalities, making us more aware and more whole persons. As is true of books and articles about all topics, some are…

I'd like to share a dream I had with you: I’m in an office conference room with a lot of other people. The president of the United States is seated at the end of the long conference room table and people are seated all along both sides of the table. Because the chairs are all taken, several more people in the room are standing, including me. The president is speaking in a way that is totally different from how he speaks in physical reality; he has a humble tone. My impression is he has learned he has a serious illness…

If you have read my other blogs, you know I think highly of the writing of John A. Sanford, a Jungian analyst, writer, and speaker, who also was an Episcopal priest for 19 years. In his book Dreams and Healing, Sanford writes: "Dreams also help us by showing us what it is upon which we should focus our attention. It is easy to be overwhelmed by our fears, the confusion of life, and the myriad small and great worries that beset us. A dream gives us an image of what it is we most need to ponder. In this way dreams…

Author and Jungian analyst John A. Sanford begins his book Dreams and Healing with these words: "Suppose someone told you that there was something that spoke to you every night, that always presented you with a truth about your own life and soul, that was tailor-made to your individual needs and particular life-story, and that offered to guide you throughout your lifetime and connect you with a source of wisdom far beyond yourself. And, furthermore, suppose that all of this was absolutely free. Naturally you would be astonished that something like this existed. Yet this is exactly the way it is…

I recently had this dream: On a stretch of wide sidewalk in the downtown area of a large city, two raised bed garden spaces have been built that have cement walls. They are each at least 10 feet by 20 feet and raised about two feet above the sidewalk that surrounds them. The cement walls are several inches wide, wide enough so that people may sit at the sides of the gardens. Someone had donated many plants to put in these spaces, and I see that a woman I know is putting the plants in the gardens. Each plant is…

I have written in some of my other posts about how my life has become more meaningful since I began recording my dreams and trying to be open to what they are telling me. I recently had a dream that I would like to share with you: I have learned that three people I know and work with all died yesterday. I and my coworkers are in shock. All three people were young adults, ages 32, 42, and 45, and none of them had been sick, so their passing away was not expected by anyone. We've learned too that each…

In my blog titled "A Special Dream," I shared a dream that gave me reassurance that things were well in my inner life even though at the time I was feeling down and limited in my outer, day-to-day life. That dream helped me to feel better and to get more on track with what mattered in my life. I'd like to share another dream with you. I had this dream at a time when at a conscious level I was feeling like things were going quite well. Here is the dream: I am a teenager and have a sister who…

In my blog titled "Dreams" I wrote about how I have become familiar with many aspects of Jungian theory, including Carl Jung's ideas about dreams.  And about how recording and trying to learn from my dreams has added greatly to my life.  Rather than approaching dreams with the idea of "interpreting" them, it's better to ask yourself "What might this dream be trying to tell me about myself?"  Among other things, dreams can provide direction and give assistance during difficult or confusing times.  As one writer whose writing I admire said "Dreams are our friends."  Dreams provide a window to…

Many years ago I was going through a difficult time and decided I might benefit by meeting with a therapist.  It was during our work together that I became familiar with Carl Jung’s dream theories, and my work with the therapist included working with my dreams.  Prior to that I had not thought very much about my dreams. I might have noticed if a dream was unusual, but I never thought of dreams as have meaning or a purpose.  I also didn't remember having dreams very often.  Since then I have kept journals where I have recorded my dreams as…

“The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.” This quote is by Rollo May, who was an American existential psychologist who lived from 1909 to 1994. What often comes to mind when people think about courage are those heroic acts done by women and men that we learn about through the media:  people helping others at great risk to themselves, such as rescuing someone who is in a life-threatening situation.  I’m very thankful for and impressed by people who have the courage to help others in this way. It also takes courage to face challenges…

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.” This quote by Carl Gustav Jung is from his memoir Memories, Dreams, Reflections.  Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist who lived from 1875 to 1961.  He founded the school of analytical psychology, and he wrote many books and articles about various aspects of it.  Foundational to his psychological theory were his extensive clinical work with clients and his own inner work.  He was also knowledgeable about a great many cultures, and that knowledge along with…

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” This quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, minister, abolitionist, and poet who lived in the 1800s. To be one’s true self is definitely a great accomplishment.  For doing so requires that we make it a priority to endeavor to follow our unique path.  This takes discernment, courage, and perseverance.  Emerson wrote the above words more than 100 years ago, and the challenges to being our true selves continue to be prevalent and persistent.  Societal and other pressures…

“What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me.” This quote is by Helen Keller, a woman who when she was 19 months old had an illness that resulted in her becoming both blind and deaf.  With the assistance and companionship of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and speak, and eventually she became a famous author, speaker, and philanthropist who positively affected the lives of many people. When I read Keller’s quote, I thought about how her words apply to the Jungian psychology concept of individuation.  Individuation is the inner process where…

“To be healthy, then, has nothing to do with serenity, and less to do with adjustment: to be healthy means to become whole.  We can perhaps say that the truly healthy person is the person who is involved in the lifelong process of individuation.” This quote is by John A. Sanford from his book Healing and Wholeness.  Dr. Sanford was a Jungian analyst, Episcopal priest, writer, and presenter.  I have read many of his books, and I highly recommend Healing and Wholeness to you as well as his other books. When reading this quote, one might question why Sanford would say to…

“We have to at some level ask the question: ‘What is psyche asking of me?’  And try to live that as best we can.  And that makes a huge difference in our lives and becomes part of the legacy we pass on to our children and to our families and to our fellow citizens.” This quote is by James Hollis, a Jungian analyst, author, teacher, and speaker.  I have read several of Dr. Hollis’ books and highly recommend them to you.  Some of his books are A Life of Meaning, Living an Examined Life, and What Matters Most. In order to…

“If we judge others, it is because we are judging something in ourselves of which we are unaware.” This quote is by John A. Sanford who was a Jungian analyst, an Episcopal priest, a speaker, and the author of several books.  Reading his books has been of great help to me, and I highly recommend them to you.  Some of his books are Healing and Wholeness, Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language, The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning of Jesus’ Sayings, and Dreams and Healing. Judging others is a tendency that most if not all people have.  We all have values and…

“There is a source within us that always works to bring things into the light.” This quote is by John A. Sanford who was a Jungian analyst, an Episcopal priest, a speaker, and the author of several books. One of the reasons I have been drawn to Jungian psychology is the way that many of its concepts correspond to religious teachings and spirituality.  And one of the reasons I think so highly of Dr. Sanford is his ability to clearly write about that interrelationship. Sanford’s referring to a source within us is an example of that interrelationship.  The source within is…

“The goal of individuation is wholeness, as much as we can accomplish, not the triumph of the ego.” This quote is by James Hollis, a Jungian analyst, author, and speaker. Individuation is the process of growing in consciousness and becoming more whole, thereby becoming the unique person each of us was created to be.  Individuation isn’t completed in this life; Hollis‘ words “as much as we can accomplish” refer to this truth.  As we gradually gain in consciousness through the process of individuation, however, our lives become more authentic and we become more able to discern inner direction given to us…

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” These words by Mahatma Gandhi are a perfect definition of happiness.  When our thoughts, words, and actions are in harmony, there is no dissonance.  We feel at peace, and peacefulness and happiness often occur together. Endeavoring to live according to our values can be challenging.  Thinking about and liking the idea of living according to our values is one thing, but choosing to follow our inner guidance, which is shown by our actions, is another.  It requires courage, especially when some of our values…

“Projection occurs when we see an unconscious characteristic of our own in another person or object.”  From Jung: The Key Ideas by Ruth Snowden. One of the most valuable commitments each of us can make is to try to be aware of when projection is occurring or may have occurred.  As the above quote by therapist and author Ruth Snowden says, projection involves seeing a characteristic in another person that is actually a characteristic of ourselves of which we are unaware.  Learning about psychological projection has helped me to better understand other people and to better understand myself as well. …

“The work is not easy, as Jung himself admitted, but it can have great rewards as it helps us to become more peaceful humans, better able to relate effectively to our fellow beings.” I recently discovered the book Jung: The Key Ideas by Ruth Snowden.  Ms. Snowden is an author and artist who for many years had a private therapy practice.  In this book, she presents Carl Jung’s work and findings related to the individual unconscious, the collective unconscious, dreams, personality types, projection, and his approach to working with clients.  She includes some biographical information about Jung:  the influence of his…

"Your life has many outer, earthly purposes:  the demands of your job, supporting your family, achieving financial stability.  Outer purposes are important and necessary, but they are also impermanent, relative, and constantly shifting.   In the second half of life it is not so much what you do that matters; it is the level of consciousness that you bring to your doing." This quote is from the book Living Your Unlived Life by Jungian psychotherapists and authors Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl. Much of that which we do are the basic tasks of adulthood:  getting our education or training for an occupation;…

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” This quote by the Dalai Lama is one we should keep in mind as we travel through our life journey.  For me, it’s a reminder that we do not always know what is best for ourselves, but the Creator does.  It may very well be that something we hope for is not part of our individual path and would lead us away from the direction we were created to follow. The Dalai Lama’s words serve as a reminder to be watchful of our ego desires.  Those…

“Symbols are spontaneous products of the archetypal psyche.  One cannot manufacture a symbol, one can only discover it.  Symbols are carriers of psychic energy.  This is why it is proper to consider them as something alive.  They transmit to the ego, either consciously or unconsciously, life energy which supports, guides, and motivates the individual.” This description of symbols is from Jungian analyst and writer Edward Edinger‘s book Ego and Archetype.  Ego and Archetype was published in 1972 and, as is the case with some of my other favorite authors, Edinger has the gift of presenting psychological concepts in an understandable…

“Every new breakthrough into consciousness has to struggle against opposition from human egocentricity and conventionality.” This quote is from John A. Sanford’s book Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language. Dr. Sanford was a Jungian analyst, Episcopal priest, and author of several books, many of which were about Christianity, spirituality, and Jungian psychological concepts, and their interrelationship. This quote points out two of the most common challenges people face as they try to grow in consciousness. It is difficult for most, and possibly all, people to make changes. It’s especially difficult when the ideas for what to change and how to change come…

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” This quote by C.G. Jung is a succinct reminder of his psychological concept of projection and of how we can learn about ourselves by being aware that projection occurs. Projection can be defined as attributing an element of our personality to another person or group. We project negative as well as positive qualities. Projection occurs unconsciously—we cannot control whether and when it happens. But we can try to notice when it does. Last summer I was at an outdoor farmers market looking at the various stands…

In his book Meeting Force with Silence, author and Jungian psychotherapist Terry Chitwood writes: “Life is like a dream. People, events, and situations can speak to you, if you let them. Each moment has important signs willing to aid you in your life’s path.” Often when I recall past experiences—people I’ve met, unexpected occurrences and how they transpired, even seemingly routine happenings--there is a dreamlike quality to those and other memories. But it’s clear Dr. Chitwood is speaking about people, events, and situations in the present. And how they can have an effect on us as we go forward in…

“Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” This quote is by C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors. Being a person of integrity means being someone who is truthful, reliable, and honorable. I appreciate the point Lewis makes about choosing to do the right thing always, not just when it makes us look good to others. And, I will add, not just when it is the easy thing to do. The quality of integrity reminds me of the Jungian concept of individuation, which is the ongoing inner process where people grow in consciousness and become…

“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.” This quotation by author Madeleine L'Engle reminds me of the parallels between spirituality and many aspects of Jungian theory. I believe the Creator “calls us” in many ways, including through promptings from the Self, which is Carl Jung’s term for the center of the total personality that encompasses the unconscious as well as consciousness. When we receive messages from the Self, and therefore from the Creator, the purpose of the messages is to guide us. The promptings…

In his book Death: The Beginning of Life, Jungian psychotherapist Terry Chitwood writes: “One of the first steps in gaining consciousness is to realize that your ego is not the ruler of your psyche. The unconscious is autonomous. In the unconscious lie the seeds of your destiny. Only by making your unconscious your partner can you begin to understand your life’s true goal.” Learning these truths has changed my life, helping me to have a sense of purpose and meaning. For most of us, the idea that our ego does not know everything that is going on with us and…

One of the primary concepts of Jungian psychology is individuation, the inner process where we grow in consciousness and become more whole. We grow in consciousness by integrating aspects of the unconscious that we learn from the symbols and stories of our dreams, from synchronicities, from unexpected occurrences, and from what we sense intuitively. As we become more individuated, we become more the persons we were created to be. In his book Inner Work, Jungian psychotherapist and author Robert Johnson writes: “If we work at individuation, we begin to see the difference between the ideas and values that come out…

Learning about the Jungian concept of psychological projection has helped me in my interactions with others and has also helped me to better understand myself. Projection can be defined as a process where the contents of a person's unconscious are perceived to be in others. Because projection happens at an unconscious level, we don't cause it to happen or control it. We can, however, try to notice when it occurs and learn from it. Here's an example from my life. When I was in my 20s, I worked as a secretary in a law firm. One of the lawyers, who…

As I've written in other posts, learning about Jungian concepts has greatly enriched my life. Becoming a more conscious person as a result of paying attention to and learning from my dreams, noting synchronicities, and acting on promptings from my intuition have all added meaning and purpose to my life. Our western culture focuses on using reasoning and cognitive skills and places little, if any, value on what is happening at an unconscious level. And yet much is going on each day of which we are not consciously aware but which is very significant. Jung expresses this when he writes…

I have benefited greatly by learning about Jungian concepts. Among his many contributions to understanding the human psyche, Carl Jung identified and described psychological types. Two of the psychological types he wrote about are extraversion and introversion. People who are extraverted are energized by being with others; they thrive on interaction. People who are introverted, on the other hand, gain energy by having time alone. Another way of describing these qualities is introversion is “inward turning” and “thought oriented” and extraversion is “outward turning” and “action oriented.” As with all aspects of being human, there is a continuum; the degree…

Approaching life from a Jungian perspective includes each person trying to discern what is the life path for which he or she was created. It can be difficult to feel sure about what is a correct choice. For example, there are many causes that a person may support and be active in that are considered positive and helpful by most people. But no matter how positive and helpful a cause might be, it is the correct choice for an individual only if it is part of that person's life path. It is easy for one's ego to choose something that…

As I've written in other posts, author John A. Sanford's books have added greatly to my knowledge about inner life, Jungian concepts, and many other meaningful topics. In his book The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde, Sanford writes about, among other things, the relationship between the ego and the Self. He says, "When the ego departs from the Self, the unconscious sets up an opposition to the ego. To live a moral and correct life is to live in accordance with the Self." Our egos can be very stubborn and not open to making changes prompted from within, especially when making…

Mahatma Gandhi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi certainly lived what he said. Living according to one's values and beliefs is more easily said than done, and it takes courage and perseverance and listening to one's inner voice. Gandhi's words remind me of the Jungian concept of individuation, the inner process where a person grows in consciousness and becomes more whole. For each of us to be the change we wish to see in the world, we need to model qualities that we would like to see valued by more people and…

In one of his recent tweets, the Dalai Lama wrote, "Peace in the world depends on peace within." How true. Sometimes when I read or hear about the cruelty of some people toward others, I become disheartened. I question what can be done to help. And then I remind myself it is how each individual person chooses to try to live that makes a difference in our world. When I think about peace, I'm reminded of how the Creator is the source of "peace that passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). I often pray for peace for other people and for…

The other day something I read reminded me of the song "No Man Is an Island." I remember singing it in elementary school. Here is the first verse: "No man is an island, no man stands alone. Each man's joy is joy to me, each man's grief is my own. We need one another, so I will defend each man as my brother, each man as my friend." I believe that song coming to mind several days in a row was an inner prompting to write about it. I was hesitant to do so because of the masculine wording, but…

As I have said in other posts, working with a Jungian therapist and learning about Jungian psychology have added greatly to my life. One of the principle concepts of Jungian psychology is called individuation. Individuation is an inner process where a person grows in consciousness and becomes more whole. Unconscious content is brought to consciousness through dreams, intuition, and synchronicities (meaningful acausal events--see my posts titled "Synchronicities" and "Unlocking Gifts" where I write about synchronicities in more detail). Individuation is a lifelong process, never completed in this lifetime. My life is more meaningful because I am more conscious than I…

 “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This quote is by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As one of the well-known leaders of the civil rights movement, he devoted a great deal of his time and energy working toward justice, equal treatment, and equal opportunities for all people. Unjust actions and policies on a national and international level are the ones we most often hear about.  Those actions and policies have done a great deal of harm to countless people throughout history, including in the present.  These include injustices based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, and religious affiliation. …

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” This quote is by Barack Obama, who was President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He continues to be involved in important work, including speaking about preserving our democracy, as well as being involved in philanthropy, writing, and making documentaries.  I consider him to have been one of the most effective Presidents…

“Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how’.” This quote is by Viktor Frankl from his book Man’s Search for Meaning.  A few weeks ago I wrote a post based on another quotation from the same book. If you haven’t read Man’s Search for Meaning, I encourage you to do so. I believe that keeping Frankl’s words in mind can help us through any difficulties we encounter.  And knowing that these are the words of a man who survived being in concentration camps for three years where there was not only the psychological burden of …

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” This quote is by Helen Keller, a woman who, although becoming both deaf and blind when she was very young, learned to speak, read, and write and became a well-known author, presenter, and philanthropist. Keller’s words emphasize the importance of having a sense of purpose.  In addition to it leading to true happiness, as she says, I would add that it also leads to a sense of peace and to a more meaningful life.  As I…

“It is not the length of life, but the depth.”  This quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, minister, abolitionist, and poet who lived in the 1800s. There are many people who live long lives, often living many years beyond the average age of death in the part of the world where they live.  A lot of older people’s ability to do tasks and activities and to live independently continues well into their older years, and many have been blessed with good physical and mental health.  I am one of those fortunate people. And yet, as Emerson…

“Everything can be taken from a man [person] but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” This quote is by Viktor Frankl who was an Austrian psychiatrist, neurologist, philosopher, and writer who lived from 1905 to 1997.  During World War II he was imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps.  He survived, and in 1946 he published his book Man’s Search for Meaning, in which he wrote about his experiences and the effects those experiences had on his approach to life.  He also developed a method of…

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” This quote is by James Baldwin, an American writer and civil rights activist who lived from 1924 to 1987.  He was known for his essays, novels, plays, and poems. If you’ve read some of my other posts, you know that I care deeply about nurturing children and being positive role models for them.  Doing all we can to help children to have positive experiences in childhood and to become adults who add to what is good and right in our world is…

“I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it.  Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute.” We can never say thank you enough to our Creator.  Maya Angelou’s poem is yet another way that gratitude has been expressed to the Divine.  I say “another way” because numerous people who are known for their wisdom and integrity have emphasized in their writing and speaking the importance of being thankful.  I have quoted many of them in other posts I’ve written. It can be easy to take things for granted as we go…

“When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” This quote is by Maya Angelou who was a poet, writer, and civil rights activist and who lived from 1928 to 2014. When I first read Angelou’s quote, I admired how she said so much with just a few words.  In fact, if each of us would endeavor to live in a way that reflects her words, we would add to what matters in our world and we would have an increased sense of purpose. Her words “When you learn, teach” can refer to many types of teaching.  I think back to…

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”  This quote is by Winston Churchill.  Churchill was a British statesman, military officer, and writer who lived from 1874 to 1965.  He also served two terms as Prime Minister, the first one during World War II.  I think many people would agree that it takes courage to stand up and speak.  This is true whether speaking at some type of public forum, at a work meeting, or for certain personal conversations.  This is especially true when we know that…

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God.”  This quotation is attributed to Anne Frank, who, along with her family and others, went into hiding during World War II because they were Jewish and Hitler’s Nazis were imprisoning Jewish people.  After being in hiding from 1942 to 1944, they were discovered and transported to concentration camps.  Anne was only 15 years old when she became ill and died.  Her father was the only one in her family who survived, and…

The Gift of Listening to Others “The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” This quote is by Ralph G. Nichols, who was an American author and communications expert who lived from 1916 to 2006. Being a good listener is an excellent quality to have.  Giving our full attention to people talking to us, making eye contact, and not interrupting leads to our better understanding what they are sharing with us.  It also shows that we are interested in what they are…

“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” This quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. is yet another way of emphasizing the importance of caring about and helping others.  The women and men who I think most highly of, both those I’ve learned about who lived in the past and those who are presently living, are people who endeavored to help others.  Martin Luther King, Jr., was certainly one of those people.  As one of…

“Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained.” This quote is by Helen Keller, one of several people whose words of wisdom I have shared in a number of posts in my blog since I started writing it a few years ago.  She was a woman whose words and accomplishments showed compassion, the ability to overcome adversity, courage, and many other admirable qualities in addition to wisdom. In the past as well as presently, much has been written and spoken about social justice. …

“It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.” This quote by Mahatma Gandhi is a reminder to all of us of the importance of humility.  For no matter how much knowledge we have, how much education we’ve had, and how many life experiences we’ve had, no human being is exempt from being wrong at times.  One aspect of humility is recognizing the fact that being wrong and making mistakes from time to time help us to learn, and by means of that…

“I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.” These words are by Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, who lived from 1809 to 1865.  He was President during the Civil War and is remembered as a man of integrity who took the first steps toward ending slavery in the United States. Although Lincoln’s words are referring to himself and his approach to life, they express that which all of us should do.  Trying to do our best is part of…

“The time is always right to do what is right.” This quote is by Martin Luther King, Jr.  His words reflect the way he lived his calling as a pastor and as a leader in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. There are certain qualities that are always right:  being nonjudgmental, having compassion, being generous, and having courage are some of them.  And when any of these qualities underlie what we do, they help us to do what is right. I’ve often read about people who have done courageous and selfless things:  some men and women who stopped…

“Live simply so others may simply live.” This quote is by Mother Teresa, a person who gave of herself as an individual and through the charitable organizations she founded that have assisted and continue to assist people who are experiencing some of life’s most difficult situations, including poverty and end-of-life illness.  I have written several posts in the past based on Mother Teresa’s quotes.  I appreciate her selflessness, for she prioritized caring for others.  I also appreciate her emphasis on the fact that whatever each of us does that contributes to that which is positive in this world does make…

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because God loves us.” This quote is by C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity.  Lewis was an English author and university instructor who lived from 1898 to 1963.  He is well known for both his fiction and nonfiction works.  Most of his nonfiction books are about various aspects of Christianity and faith, and I’ve found them to be very insightful. Lewis’ quote is a reminder to us to have humility and to embrace our Creator’s love for us. We…

“The kingdom involves the realization of our personalities according to the inner plan established within us by God; hence, the unfolding of a Self that predates and transcends the ego.” This quote is by John A. Sanford from his book The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning of Jesus’ Sayings.  Dr. Sanford was a Jungian analyst, an Episcopal priest, a speaker, and the author of several books.  I encourage you to read The Kingdom Within as well as any of the other books he wrote. One of the reasons I am drawn to Jungian psychology is that many of its concepts correspond…

“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” This quote is by C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity.  Lewis was a Christian apologist, someone who supports the teachings of Christianity with clear, understandable explanations and reasoning.  Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and Miracles are three of his best known books of this type.  He is also known for his works of fiction.  These include The Chronicles of Narnia,…

“Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one strand within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connected.” These beautiful words were spoken by Chief Seattle.  He was chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indians in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1800s. His words are especially meaningful to those of us who recognize the beauty and healthfulness of nature—be it majestic mountains with forests, streams, and waterfalls, or a single flower in our backyard. Chief Seattle’s words were spoken years before scientific studies confirmed that…

“Waking up this morning, I smile.  Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.  I vow to live fully in each moment.” This quote is by Thich Nhat Hanh.  He was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, author, poet, and teacher. Thich Nhat Hanh’s words express enthusiasm and gratitude for the gift of life.  For the gift that each day is and for the potential all of us have for living each day fully.  Because we are all unique persons on our individual life journeys, that which comprises our living each day fully will also be unique for each of us.…

“The capacity for growth depends on one’s ability to internalize and to take personal responsibility. If we forever see our life as a problem caused by others, a problem to be ‘solved,’ then no change will occur.” This quote is by James Hollis from his book The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife.  Hollis is a Jungian analyst, author, and speaker.  I have read several of his books and highly recommend them to you. Taking personal responsibility is one of the qualities of being a mature person.  Being in the habit of blaming others is not. As I…

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” This quote is by John Muir, a naturalist and author who lived from 1838 to 1914.  He advocated preserving natural wilderness and has been referred to as the father of the National Parks. Muir’s quote resonates with me because it contains words that reflect those aspects of life that comprise our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being:  beauty, playing, praying, healing, cheerfulness, strength, body, and soul.  As Muir says, our connection to and…

“Forever is composed of nows.” This quote is by Emily Dickinson, an American poet who lived in the 1800s.  Her poems are well known and they are regularly part of literature courses at universities and high schools. Dickinson’s words are a reminder that what we do and say each day matters.  That it’s not just certain occasions or times of accomplishment that have value (although they do also), but that every day does.  Often in our modern world there is an emphasis on what is coming next rather than on making the most of the present. It’s special to see…

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you’?” This quote is by William Arthur Ward who was an American motivational writer.  He was known for writing positive sayings which appeared in many publications and other media. This quote caught my attention, both because of the importance of expressing our thankfulness and also because of the unique way Ward reminds us of the gift of life, of the 86,400 seconds of life we have each day. As we go about our day doing the various activities we need to do, it can…

“From my point of view, God is the light that illuminates the darkness, even if it does not dissolve it, and a spark of divine light is within each of us.” This quote is by Pope Francis, who was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 2013 until 2025.  He was the first Pope from a Latin American country, and he was known for his concern for the poor, migrants, and refugees, his emphasis on God’s mercy, and his humility, as well as for many other qualities. Pope Francis’ description of God as the light that illuminates the darkness causes…

“We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” This quote is by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, author, and resistance leader against Nazism.  He was imprisoned and later killed when he was 39 years old for his involvement in the resistance. When I first read Bonhoeffer’s quote, I had the thought that his words are a profound way of describing compassion.  For when we are compassionate, we recognize that every person we encounter has experienced and/or is…

“I have just three things to teach:  simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” This quote is by Lau Tzu, a Chinese sage and philosopher who was born in the 6th century BC.  He is considered to be the founder of Taoism and is generally credited as the author of the Tao Te Ching. One of my first thoughts when I read Lau Tzu’s quote was how fitting it is that he refers to simplicity, patience, and compassion as treasures.  For, as with treasure, those three qualities have great value.  Thankfully, many people do value them.  And what…

“Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.” This quote is from one of the writings of Lau Tzu.  Lau Tzu was a Chinese sage and philosopher who was born in the 6th century BC.  He is considered to be the founder of Taoism and is generally credited as the author of the Tao Te Ching. In reading Lau Tzu’s words, I can’t help but notice how they offer guidance which is directly contrary to that which is promoted by many aspects of modern American culture.  Much of what is on the internet, many movies and TV shows, and…

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.  And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” This quote is by Maya Angelou, who was a poet, singer, and civil rights activist.  In her quote, Angelou talks about gratitude and faith—two of the most valuable gifts we can have. We can never have too much gratitude.  It’s easy to take for granted our abilities, our health, the opportunities we’ve had, that there are people who love us, and so much more.  Our ego attitude might be that we have…

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” This quote is by Mother Teresa.  Since I began writing my blog several years ago, I have chosen other quotes by her a number of times as a basis for my posts.  There’s a kind of “quiet strength” in the way she approached life that is reflected in her words, a quiet strength that is meaningful to me. Mother Teresa often spoke and wrote about the fact that each person’s efforts have value. That is the case once again in her words “do it alone, person to person.”  Every…

“The highest result of education is tolerance.” This quote is by Helen Keller, who when she was 19 months old had an illness that caused her to become blind and deaf.  With the assistance and companionship of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and speak, and eventually she became a famous author, speaker, and philanthropist who positively affected the lives of many people. Tolerance, along with empathy, compassion, and courage, is a quality that each one of us should strive to develop.  Those four qualities, although not synonymous, have a connection with each other.  When we have…

“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” This quote is by Aldous Huxley, who was an English writer and philosopher.  He wrote poetry, essays, and many books. It’s a common human trait to want other people to change, including people who disagree with us, who act in ways we don’t consider to be acceptable, or with whom we feel uncomfortable because of our differences.  And there are times when our wanting other people to change is based on our sincere concern for them, such as someone we are close…

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” This quote is by Jack Kornfield, a writer and teacher of American Theravada Buddhism and mindfulness meditation. Compassion is one of the most valuable qualities we can possess.  Whenever we have encountered people in our lives who have treated us with compassion, we have been very fortunate.  We have also been fortunate if we have been among people who show compassion for others, for their example has helped us to be more compassionate toward others as well. As those of you who have read my posts know, I emphasize the…

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.” This quote is by Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to helping people in need.  She and others who worked in the charitable organizations she founded helped people who were living in poverty, provided care to people dying from terminal illnesses, and in many other ways treated people in need with dignity. I appreciate Mother Teresa’s words because they are another way of expressing the truth that every effort we make to do what is right and good has value.  When that includes feeding the hungry, that certainly has value. …

“Agape love is . . . profound concern for the well-being of another, without any desire to control that other, to be thanked by that other, or to enjoy the process.” This quote is by Madeleine L'Engle, a well-known author of works of adult and young adult fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. I’ve written about agape love in some of my other posts, and of how it is a love that includes a sincere concern for the well-being of others, including people we have never met, not wanting to control others, and not expecting to be thanked for what we do.  And that…

In his book A Life of Meaning, Dr. James Hollis shares the mantra he says each morning as he’s heading to his work as a Jungian analyst:  “Shut up, suit up, show up.”  Just six words that say a lot. In addition to being a Jungian analyst, Hollis is a teacher, writer, and presenter.  He has written many books, some of which are available as audiobooks, and I recommend them to you. I think most (or more likely all) of us have times when we could benefit from telling ourselves to shut up, suit up, and show up.  I remind…

“When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity.” This quote is by Elie Wiesel who was a Romanian-American writer, philosopher, professor, political activist, and Holocaust survivor.  He was also the recipient of the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize.  He wrote many books, one of which is entitled Night based on his experience as a Jewish concentration camp prisoner. Although one definition of the word “humanity” is being of the human race—we are all part of humanity in that way—the word “humanity” is also defined as having the qualities of compassion and consideration for others.  I…

“Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” This quote is by poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. Hate shows itself in many forms, including abuse, neglect, crimes, racism, sexism, and prejudices of every kind.  As Angelou says, and as all of us know or should know from our own life experience, hate never solves problems.  Rather, it causes and continues very serious problems that result in harm to many people. Love, on the other hand, prevents problems from starting.  And for problems that already exist, love solves them.  Love…

"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." This quote is by Henri Nouwen, who was a Catholic priest, theologian, writer, and professor. Henri Nouwen’s words are meaningful to me because they serve as a reminder that what we might consider to be…

“Books and doors are the same thing.  You open them, and you go through into another world.” This quote is by Jeanette Winterson, an English author and professor. Reading is one of my favorite things to do during my free time.  When Ms. Winterson says by opening a book we go into another world, I’m reminded of the “other worlds” I’ve entered by reading.  I’ve entered other eras, other countries, and other places in the country where I live.  I’ve entered into people’s life circumstances that are different from mine, other people’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, challenges, adventures, sorrows, and joys.  Quality…

“The ego must be able to listen attentively and to give itself, without any further design or purpose, to that inner urge toward growth.” This quote is by Marie-Louise von Franz, who was a Jungian analyst and the author of several books about analytical psychology, and who also collaborated with Carl Jung for many years. The ego is the conscious awareness of one’s personal identity.  It takes in information from the environment and chooses the direction to take based on that information.  Dr. von Franz’s quote further describes the true purpose of the ego: to choose the direction to take based…

“Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.” This quote is by poet, singer, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.  When I first read it, I thought of two things:  the importance of trying to do the best we can in everything we do and the fact that we are continually adding to what we know, both when we purposely add to our knowledge such as by reading and also that we learn as we go about each day taking in information through what we see, hear, come into contact with, and…

“Environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect.” This quote is by Mohith Agadi who is an author and entrepreneur who lives in India. It can be disheartening when we find ourselves questioning whether the efforts of one person can make a difference when dealing with the large, global problem of climate change.  And yet those efforts do matter.  What would help the most is if many more people would make the effort for, as Agadi says, protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. One of my motivations for recycling, reusing, donating items to programs that make…

“Where do we begin?  Begin with the heart.” This quote is by Julian of Norwich, who was an English anchoress who lived in the 1300s.  An anchoress is a woman who led a prayerful, ascetic life and who withdrew from secular society to do so.  The word anchorite refers to a man who chose that way of life.  Julian is best known for her writings Revelations of Divine Love. When I contemplate Julian’s words “begin with the heart,” I think of feelings that emanate instinctively from within.  I think of agape love, which is a love that desires the welfare…

“The capacity for empathy leads to a genuine encounter—we have to progress toward this culture of encounter—in which heart speaks to heart.” This quote is by Pope Francis, the present Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Empathy is one of the most valuable qualities each of us can possess.  A basic definition of empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.  Pope Francis adds depth to this definition, particularly with his words “genuine encounter” and “heart speaks to heart.” Being empathic is a gift we give to others.  When people share with us something they are…

“Have patience with all things.  But, first of all with yourself.” This quote is by Saint Francis de Sales who lived in the 15th and 16th Centuries and was a Catholic prelate and the Bishop of Geneva.  He was also known for his writing about religious and spiritual topics. Patience is one of those qualities that can be hard to come by and, therefore, that we should work at developing.  We tend to want to have quick solutions to problems and to complete tasks or projects so they’re off our minds.  But the reality is that quick solutions and fast…

“I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” This quote is by Mother Teresa, a person who gave of herself as an individual and through the charitable organizations she founded that have assisted and continue to assist people experiencing some of life’s most difficult situations, including poverty and end-of-life illness. There is a simplicity in the image Mother Teresa’s words portray, and yet her words express essential truths.  By being “a little pencil” in God’s hand, she—and, by extension, each of us—has a story to live given to…

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” This quote is by Seneca who was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and dramatist.  His words are a reminder that there are many opportunities to be kind to others—in fact, as many opportunities as there are people in our world. It’s wonderful to see the effects of kind actions.  Recently, one of my coworkers who has a garden brought vegetables to work to share with us.  It’s the time of the year when many of the vegetables are ready to harvest, and he brought tomatoes, green beans, and…

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” This quote is by Helen Keller, a woman who when she was 19 months old had an illness that resulted in her becoming both blind and deaf.  With the assistance and companionship of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and speak.  She eventually became a famous author, speaker, and philanthropist who positively affected the lives of many people. Helen Keller’s words are a reminder that many of the things we do…

“Do not judge me by my success.  Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” This quote is by Nelson Mandela who lived in South Africa and was a lawyer, an anti-apartheid activist, and a politician.  Before becoming the first president of South Africa in 1994, he had been imprisoned for 27 years after being sentenced for conspiring to overthrow the government because of his anti-apartheid activities.  He certainly was an example of someone who got back up again, of someone who had resilience. Resilience is a quality that makes it possible for us to face…

“Perseverance, secret of all triumphs.” This quote is by Victor Hugo, a French politician and author who is best known for his novels Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Whenever I hear or read about someone or a group of people who have persevered, who have continued to strive despite difficulties and challenges, I find myself admiring them.  When I think of persevering, I usually think of accomplishments such as a person overcoming an addiction, someone going through treatment for a serious illness, the people who sacrificed their energy and time in the Civil Rights movement, and people…

  “When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.” This quote is by Joseph Campbell, an American author and professor of literature whose best-known book is The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Joseph Campbell's words express once again the truth that focusing on others instead of just on ourselves leads to a more genuine, fulfilling, and purposeful life, a life of greater consciousness.  When I say "once again," I'm referring to the fact that this truth is emphasized by many religious traditions.  It has also been shown by people…

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” This quote is by Bil Keane, who had a long career as a cartoonist.  When I first read his words, I smiled at the way he uses the two meanings of the word “present.”  I also like the way he refers to the past as history and to the future as mystery. Yesterday and all the days preceding it since each of us was born makes up our personal history.  It’s the memories, accomplishments, relationships and interactions with others,…

“My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.” This quote is by Jim Henson, a well-known puppeteer, animator, inventor, and filmmaker, perhaps best known as the creator of The Muppets. Henson’s quote resonates with me because it conveys both hope and humility.  Hope and humility are two qualities essential to living our lives in a meaningful way.  Henson’s having the goal of in some way doing his part to make the world better expresses a hopefulness, a belief that it is possible to do that.  And he shows humility by using the words…

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” This quote by Mother Teresa helps me to remember that each action I do with heartfelt intentions matters.  I assume when Mother Teresa said or wrote those words she was referring to the work that she and the nuns of her order were doing to assist people who were suffering from serious illnesses, often providing care to people who were critically ill.  It mattered…

"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." This quote is by Albert Schweitzer, who was a theologian, organist, writer, physician, humanitarian, and philosopher.  His words resonate with me because of their emphasis on caring about and wanting to help other people.  These qualities are also emphasized in the teachings of Christianity and in Jungian psychological theory, which is one of the reasons I embrace both.  Even though Jungian psychology isn’t considered a religious psychology, there is much correlation between its concepts and Christianity. People who think only about their…

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” This quote by the Dalai Lama reminds us of the importance of safeguarding our sense of peace by being aware that what other people do and say affects us.  This applies to the behavior of people we know, such as a family member unjustifiably criticizing us or a coworker telling another coworker something that isn’t true about us, as well as to the actions of people we don’t know, such as when we read about others being treated unjustly. In my experience and in those of others who have…

“Learning to live with ambiguity is learning to live with how life really is, full of complexities and strange surprises.” This quote is by James Hollis from his book What Matters Most:  Living a More Considered Life.  Dr. Hollis is a Jungian analyst, author, and speaker.  He has written several books, all of which I highly recommend. As is the case for many people, I struggle with ambiguity, even though I have lived long enough to know that, as Dr. Hollis says, ambiguity is “how life really is.”  Part of the difficulty is that western culture emphasizes that answers to problems…

"Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You.” These well-known words were spoken by Jesus and appear in the Christian Bible at Luke 6:31.  They are one of the many teachings that Jesus gave during his time on earth.  His message is clear and it seems as if it shouldn’t be hard to follow, but for many of us it is.  Or at least easier to follow in our interactions with some people and more difficult in our interactions with others.  When this quote came to mind recently, I thought of the ways I want to be…

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” This quote is by Joseph Campbell, an American writer and professor of literature whose best-known book is The Hero with a Thousand Faces. When I first read this quote, I thought of how it could refer to a person’s choice of career.  We might decide to attend college, a technical school, or some other post-high school program, or to instead apply for a job right out of high school.  It’s also fairly common to change jobs or to return…

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” This quote by Mother Teresa helps me to remember that every effort we make toward the good matters.  Those efforts include helping others; endeavoring to be genuine, honest, and ethical; caring about the health of our earth; and trying to discern and follow our inner wisdom. An example of where it has helped me to remember that seemingly small things matter is in my work as a crisis line counselor.  At times I feel somewhat disheartened because I want to assist the person who has called…

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” This quote is by physicist Albert Einstein, who is well known for his many discoveries in physics and related fields. Learn from yesterday:  Learning takes place throughout our lives and in many ways.  From an early age, we learn by hearing what other people say; observing people’s facial expressions, gestures, and actions; interacting with others; and taking in our surroundings.  And there is the more formal learning of attending school.  We also learn by reading, not just academic reading but all genres.  All that we learn becomes a part of who…

  "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”  -The Dalai Lama It truly is always possible to be kind.  For kindness can be shown in many ways and in many circumstances.  Some ways I was treated with kindness today were coworkers greeting me with a smile, someone I don’t know holding a door open for me, a coworker patiently answering a question I had about a work procedure, and a person who was waiting for the same bus as I was gesturing for me to go ahead of her.  Those are the actions that I remember; I’m sure there…

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” This quote is by Martin Luther King, Jr.  His words reflect the way he lived his calling as a pastor and as a leader in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.  He and many other people who are less well known than he is gave of themselves in order to change the oppressive and unjust status quo and thereby to improve the lives of others.  Despite their nonviolent approach to bringing attention to the numerous wrongs that were being perpetrated, they were often treated with violence and imprisoned.  And yet, despite…

“The past is past; nothing can change it.  But the future depends on the present; we still have the opportunity to shape it.  This is not a matter of employing technology or spending more money, it’s a question of developing a sense of concern for others’ well-being.” When I read this quote by the Dalai Lama, I thought about how I sometimes recall a past decision I’ve made or action I’ve done and about how, if I had the chance to do it over, I would do it differently.  And of course there are many times when realizing I made…

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” When I read this quote by Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, philosopher, and mystic who lived from 1260 to 1328, I thought about how it applies in various contexts. The idea of being a beginner each day reminds me of the importance of being open to new possibilities and approaches.  To be watchful of the tendency to become set in our ways without realizing that is happening.  To notice when we have an automatic response to something rather than taking a moment for thoughtful reflection about how best to respond. Meister Eckhart's…

  “If we look at the buildings we live and work in, the roads we travel, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, we must acknowledge that all are provided by others.  None would exist for us to enjoy and make use of were it not for the kindness of so many people unknown to us.” This quote by the Dalai Lama serves as a reminder of the connections among human beings.  When we think of connections, many of us think of the people we know, the personal relationships we have with others.  Those relationships matter very much. …

"We are called to achieve personhood--to contribute most to others by becoming who we are, and standing for values that matter in this world, whatever the obstacles history provides us." This quote is by Jungian analyst, author, and speaker James Hollis from his book What Matters Most--Living a More Considered Life. One of the principle concepts of Jungian theory is that each of us has the potential to grow in consciousness.  Becoming more conscious persons leads to our living more purposeful and meaningful lives.  Dr. Hollis’ words “becoming who we are” is another way of expressing this truth.  And his…

“In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” These words of Mahatma Gandhi remind us that prayer matters but only when we are genuinely invested in the prayers we say. As a child I was taught certain well-known prayers—The Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and many others.  In addition to our family saying a prayer together before each meal, my parents reminded us children to always say our prayers before going to sleep each night.  I think teaching children prayers is a natural part of telling them about the Creator and introducing…

“God doesn’t require us to succeed; God only requires that you try.” This is a quote by Mother Teresa.  I often use her words as the basis for posts I write, for she expressed many truths during her earthly journey that I find to be helpful for my journey.  I hope those who read my blog will find her words to be helpful for their journey too. We all have heard that making mistakes is part of being human and that we can learn from our mistakes.  It’s important to remember too that if we’re afraid that we might make…

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” — Chinese proverb I came upon this quote in a book I was reading recently.  The book is about ecology and emphasizes the importance of protecting forests because they are integral to the health of our earth and its atmosphere, and to the wellness of human beings and many other creatures.  When I read the quote, I thought about how it pertains to many other aspects of our lives as well. We often hear or read about the importance of setting goals and then…

“Gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.” This quotation is by Mother Teresa, a person known to have been someone who gave of herself as an individual and through the charitable organizations she founded to assist people who were experiencing some of the most difficult situations.  She and others in those organizations helped people who were living in poverty, provided care to people dying from terminal illnesses, and in many other ways endeavored to treat people in need with dignity.  And that work continues. Even though I know from personal experience and from the reading…

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” This quote is by Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, philosopher, and mystic who lived from 1260 to 1328. There are many types of prayer.  Often we pray to ask for something we want or something we hope will happen.  Such prayers matter, especially when they are not for egocentric purposes.  But we also need to remember that we have many reasons to say prayers that, rather than asking for something from our Creator, instead say thank you to our Creator for what we already have. It can…

As a child I was taught from an early age that being angry is wrong.  I’m sure my parents were taught that as children as were their parents.  I’m also sure my parents believed good Christians didn’t get angry. It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I started to realize that being angry is a natural human emotion.  That became especially clear when I was attending a support group when I was in my 20s.  A woman who was then in her 50s shared with those of us in the group that when she was a young adult…

  “Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.” This quote is by the Dalai Lama.  Compassion and loving-kindness are two of the themes about which he often speaks and writes, emphasizing that those qualities are essential for us to have in order to make our world a better place. There are tangible and intangible forms of generosity, both of which matter very much.  For any decisions we make, we should always try to discern the guidance of our inner voice, including as to the forms of generosity we are called to do.…

  “For each one of us, there is only one thing necessary: to fulfill our own destiny, according to God's will, to be what God wants us to be.” This quote is by Thomas Merton, who was a monk, writer, poet, mystic, and social activist.  These words are from his book of essays entitled No Man Is an Island.  They remind us of what matters most:  Each of us trying to discern the Creator’s will for ourselves and then endeavoring to live as our Creator wants us to live. The idea of living a purposeful and meaningful life is emphasized…

"Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves." -Ralph Waldo Emerson I recently attended a meeting of employees of the agency where I work as a crisis line counselor.  The crisis line service is one of several programs of the agency.  The meeting had been scheduled because a few employees felt that some administrative staff hadn’t addressed certain matters as those employees thought they should have.  The goals of the meeting were to make it possible for all staff to hear each other’s points of view, to clarify misunderstandings, and…

“I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that God will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.” These words of Mother Teresa reflect how her approach to prayer evolved as she grew older and had more life experiences.  When she says she prays that God will guide her to do…

"My obligation is to do the right thing.  The rest is in God's hands." This quotation by Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks of purpose and of faith.  Having both are essential to living in a meaningful way. In order to find our purpose we need to try to discern the messages of our inner voice.  We do this by paying attention to intuitive promptings, writing down our dreams and being open to what the images and actions of our dreams might symbolize, recognizing as gifts from the universe unexpected happenings that lead us to make positive changes, and noticing synchronistic…

“Happiness derived from mere physical comfort tends to be shallow and fleeting.  It fails to pacify anxiety and fear.  Whereas if we have a calm mind it is effective in overcoming even physical pain; therefore we should not neglect the inner values that are a source of a calm mind.” This is a quote by the Dalai Lama.  As with other people who have acquired wisdom, he is able to express much in a few words. The Dalai Lama telling us not to neglect inner values reminds me of the importance of trying to listen to and discern messages from…

As I was driving home today, I saw groups of children playing outside in the nice weather.  They were having fun, running, playing games, smiling and laughing.  Being carefree.  Enjoying the energy and spontaneity of youth.  It brought back memories of when I was a child playing with the neighbor children and also memories of when my daughter was a child playing with her friends. It’s important to children’s healthy development that they have opportunities to interact with other children, to be active and carefree.  Although effective parenting includes a certain amount of direction-giving and limit-setting, some parents, guardians, and…

“It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.” This quote is by the Dalai Lama, who often writes and speaks about treating others with compassion, respect, and dignity.  When we do that, we help to preserve a way of being that has much value.  It’s one of the ways we can tend to the world which we all share. When I think of tending to something, the image of tending to a garden comes to mind.  In order for the vegetables to grow, a gardener needs to choose a…

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” This is a quote by Mother Teresa.  Several of my past posts are based on her words of wisdom, faith, and concern for others.  She often spoke about the connection among all human beings, and she spent most of her life helping others through the Missionaries of Charity which she founded.  Much of the work of Missionaries of Charity involves helping people who live in poverty. There are many ways that we belong to each other, from relationships between two people to the…

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors.  We borrow it from our children."  -Native American proverb I recently read the book The Story of More by Hope Jahren.  Dr. Jahren is a geochemist and geobiologist who has received many awards for her work and findings in these fields.  In The Story of More she writes about climate change, the various causes of climate change, the serious problems that it has caused and continues to cause, and actions that can be taken to decrease those serious problems.  Jahren did considerable research to support the facts she presents in her book.  She…

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” This quotation is attributed to Anne Frank, who, along with her family and others, needed to go into hiding during World War II because they were Jewish and Hitler’s Nazis were imprisoning Jewish people.  After being in hiding from 1942-1944, they were discovered and transported to concentration camps.  Anne was only 15 years old when she became ill and died.  Her father was the only one in her family who survived, and when he returned to where they had lived, he discovered her diary.  Through his endeavors, Anne’s diary was published with…

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” This is a quote by the Dalai Lama.  He often speaks and writes about compassion, emphasizing the importance of having this quality when we interact with others and also in how we think about other people, including people of other ethnicities, races, religious traditions, and cultures than those with which we are familiar. Thinking about compassion reminds me of the expression “walking in another person’s shoes.”  We become more compassionate when we try to gain a sense of what it might be like to be that other person,…

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”  This quote is by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish novelist and poet who lived in the nineteenth century.  Two of his best known novels are Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island. Very often the quotes I choose to write about serve as helpful reminders to me.  This quote is a reminder that the seemingly small things we do each day do matter; they have an effect on people.  And remembering that helps me to remain hopeful.  Sometimes thinking about the things…

Christian singer-songwriter Amy Grant has written or co-written many songs over the years.  One song that I especially like is “Thy Word” which she co-wrote with singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith.  The song opens with the words “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  Those lyrics are also the chorus of the song. I think of the words “Thy word” as referring to the scriptures and perhaps to other religious writings as well.  Reading and contemplating sacred writings can be personally meaningful and help us as we live each day.  For me, “Thy word” also…

“Make me an instrument of Your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”  These words are the first part of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian friar and mystic who lived in the thirteenth century, who loved nature and its creatures, and who is considered the patron saint of animals and ecology. Each phrase of the prayer asks our Creator to help the person who is saying the prayer…

In my work as a crisis line counselor, I’ve spoken with many people who called looking for help.  Some were grieving a loss, some were struggling with feelings of anxiety, some were worried about loved ones who had addiction problems, some were depressed.  In each case, they felt a need to talk to someone.  And the best help I could give them was to listen.  To listen without judgment and to give them my full attention. It’s important for people in counseling-related fields to be good listeners.  It has been shown to be one of the most therapeutic things a…

“Most of us have two lives.  The life we live and the unlived life within us.  Between the two stands Resistance.”  This quote is by author Steven Pressfield and appears in his book The War of Art:  Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles. In his book, Pressfield writes about the nature of resistance, including the many forms it takes.  He capitalizes the word “Resistance” throughout the book, signifying the considerable influence it has on each of us.  Although, as the subtitle indicates, Pressfield emphasizes how resistance makes it difficult for us to access and express our…

"Naturally, when we are up against a difficult situation we hope it will end. We hope we or our friends or family will recover from the illness, that the world situation will improve, that business will get better.  But we must be prepared to fall back on a greater hope:  that no matter how things work out there is a Reality behind it all in which hope can truly be grounded."  This quote about hope is from Jungian analyst and author John A. Sanford’s book The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde. I chose the theme of hope for my blog because…

“We’re facing dragons too.  Fire-breathing griffins of the soul, whom we must outfight and outwit to reach our self-in-potential and to release the maiden who is God’s plan and destiny for ourselves and the answer to why we were put on this planet.” This quote by author Steven Pressfield appears in his book The War of Art.  In my posts I often emphasize the importance of endeavoring to become the person we were created to be; in Jungian terminology, to work toward individuation.  Pressfield’s analogy comparing this striving to that of a knight facing dangers is yet another way of…

“To hear with my heart.  To see with my soul.  To be guided by a hand I cannot hold.  To trust in a way that I cannot see.  That’s what faith must be.” These words are from Michael Card’s song entitled “That’s What Faith Must Be.”  Mr. Card is a Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host, and he wrote this song early in his musical ministry.  I appreciate the simple and yet profound way he describes faith. Each of us has a heart and a soul given to us by our Creator.  For me, hearing with our hearts is…

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”  Ecclesiastics 3:1-4. These words in the Old Testament reflect the various aspects of life.  Each of our lives is made up of many kinds of experiences and the emotions we feel as we live…

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, God will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?'  Rather God will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?’” These words of Mother Teresa help us remember that when done with love, each action we do matters.  It can be overwhelming and discouraging to think about the many aspects of life where help is needed to right wrongs, to assist people in need, and to work…

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”  This quote is by Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, philosopher, and mystic who lived from 1260 to 1328. I recently watched a webinar, the topic of which was taking care of oneself during stressful times.  There were many helpful and time-tested suggestions, including eating plant-based foods, making time for physical activity, and doing breathing techniques.  These and a number of other ideas were presented, and the basis for their effectiveness was discussed as well.  Because I have an interest in these topics both for my own well-being…

“Each one has to find peace from within.  And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.”  When I read this quotation by Mahatma Gandhi, I thought about how inner peace, like faith, is a gift from the Creator.  Although it is a gift, we need to honor it by preparing for and nurturing this gift.  We do that by trying to hear and follow the guidance of our inner voice. Feeling peaceful isn’t the same as feeling happy.  People can have a sense of inner peace during difficult and sad times as well as during the more…

Twila Paris is a singer, songwriter, and author who has written and recorded many songs based on Christian teachings.  She is creative and talented, and I enjoy listening to the messages of her songs. One of my favorites is entitled “Undivided Heart” and includes these lyrics:  “Give me an undivided heart; make a new spirit in me.”  For me, having an undivided heart means having the correct spiritual focus, which is possible by being able to discern the right actions to do and words to say in order to be on our spiritual path, and then choosing to do those…

Earlier this evening I looked out the window and saw the sky had become overcast and darker, and I wondered whether it might rain.  A few minutes later it did start raining, quite a downpour, with wind gusts and some lightning and thunder in the distance.  A little later the wind calmed down and the rain became lighter and continued to fall for about a half hour before moving on.  I stood by the screen door to watch the rain coming down and also to hear the sound of it and to smell the freshness that a rainfall brings. I’ve…

“Compassion brings inner peace and, whatever else is going on, that peace of mind allows us to see the whole picture more clearly.”  This quote by the Dalai Lama is one of many where he speaks about compassion and peace, reminding us of how important these qualities are both for ourselves individually and also for others with whom we interact.  And for the world in general. I thought about the Dalai Lama’s words after attending a meeting of coworkers and administrative staff today.  During part of the meeting, those attending were invited to express concerns or feedback about aspects of…

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”  These words of Jesus appear in Matthew 10:16 of the New Testament.  Jesus is speaking to his disciples as he directs them to travel to other cities and regions and to share the teachings he has taught to them.  As they travel and teach, some people will welcome them but others will not and will even try to harm them, which is why Jesus gives them the serious counsel he does. When I am trying to discern how to…

Many religious traditions teach the same or similar beliefs.  There’s an overlap in the truths they impart.  Some of these teachings are that there is an all-knowing and all-powerful divine presence and that having compassion, being humble, avoiding being judgmental, and helping others are qualities we should embrace. Some people find it hard to believe in a divine presence.  In my work as a crisis line counselor, people sometimes call about their struggles with addiction and trying to maintain sobriety.  Although thankfully many people have been helped by attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, some tell me they don’t…

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” One of the things I pray for is courage, courage to face the challenges that come my way.  And courage to embrace the truth that challenges and difficulties are an essential aspect of living.  As much as I know intellectually and from experience that there are times when we all must grieve the passing of loves ones, feel the disappointment of unexpected setbacks, experience illness, and deal with other challenges, there is a part of me that questions why this must be so.  The…

“The voice of my grandfather said to me, the air is precious. It shares its spirit with all the life it supports. The wind that gave me my first breath also received my last sigh. You must keep the land and air apart and sacred, as a place where one can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow flowers.” These beautiful words were spoken by Chief Seattle, part of a speech he made during negotiations with the U.S. government on behalf of white settlers, “negotiations” where the Native people had basically no say. He was chief…

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." When I read these truths expressed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I thought about symbolism of light. I picture a sunrise, the start of a new day. And how each new day is a new beginning and an opportunity to make good choices and do right actions. I think of the light of understanding, compassion, empathy, justice, and love. Just as the sunrise appears as the night ends and replaces the darkness with light, these qualities diminish and help…

As I have written in other posts, my elderly mother has lived in an assisted living apartment for about six years. Both she and I are thankful she was able to live independently in her home until she was 94 years old. She is now 100, which is quite amazing. However, as a result of both cognitive and physical changes this past year, my mother requires considerably more assistance from staff than she did the first few years living there. I would like to say thank you to staff who work at assisted living facilities and nursing homes. There are…

In my work as a crisis line counselor, people sometimes call because they are feeling anxious and are looking for help to deal with those feelings. Some people experience anxiety daily or almost daily, including having panic attacks. Many people who have this level of anxiety see a therapist and/or a psychiatrist and they often take prescribed medication. For others, the anxiety is more situational. Many life events can cause stress. Perhaps they’re worried they won’t meet an upcoming deadline, perhaps someone they care about is going through a difficult time and they feel limited in their ability to help…

"By setting aside time every day, we can leave the pixelated wilds and rest at least for a little while in a place of unplugged, authentic human connection." This quote from author Meghan Cox Gurdon’s book The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction, is referring to setting aside time to read to children. As I wrote in a recent post, Ms. Cox Gurdon’s book presents many compelling reasons to make this commitment. This quote also reminds me of how "unplugged, authentic human connection" is important in all relationships. Too often we see, such…

One of many writers whose writing has enriched my life and helped to shape my worldview is C.S. Lewis. I’m impressed by the creative ways he approaches writing about truths, both through his fiction and nonfiction works. Among his books for which he is best known are The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven books generally considered to be children’s literature. They, however, speak to adults as well—as is the case for much children’s literature. Lewis is also known as a Christian apologist, someone who supports the teachings of Christianity with clear, understandable explanations and reasoning. Some of his…

In the section entitled “Passages” of his book Meeting Force with Silence, Jungian psychotherapist Dr. Terry Chitwood writes: “Late adulthood brings a mellow acceptance. You have seen more suffering than you had ever cared to see. You have experienced more joy than you had ever thought possible. You have seen friends die, babies born. Your body is different, but your spirit is the same.” Writers whose writing adds to the quality of my life is something for which I am very thankful. Writing that causes me to reflect, that adds to my knowledge about our world, that inspires me, that…

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” This quote by Cynthia Shoshana Ozick, an American short story writer, novelist, and essayist, rings true for me. How easy it can be to take for granted the air we breathe, the life-sustaining rain, and the abilities that most of us have to see, hear, taste, and sense in other ways. A friend of mine complains whenever it rains. I suppose she doesn’t think about what would happen if it never rained again. And this very likely is her way of saying she prefers sunny days, which…

I recently read former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s book Fascism: A Warning. I found the book to be thought-provoking and informative. I appreciated Albright’s historical overview of the rise and fall of dictators, as well as her concerns about despotic leaders presently in power. Sad to say, there are many. One characteristic of autocrats is a disregard of human rights. Related to this, Albright writes: “The real question is: who has the responsibility to uphold human rights? The answer to that is: everyone.” At one level, of course, books such as Albright’s emphasize the importance of laws…

Saint Teresa of Avila was a nun, mystic, author, and religious reformer who lived in the sixteenth century. She wrote about many spiritual topics, and one of the things she said about prayer is: “For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” When I was a child, my parents and religious instruction teachers taught me and had me memorize prayers such as the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and many others. For much of my childhood my parents and siblings said the rosary together most evenings. The other type of prayer I learned about when…

Earlier today I found myself thinking about some of the sad things that occur in our world and feeling discouraged that there isn’t more I can do to help. Then I came across these words by Mother Teresa: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Her words helped me. In another post I wrote about the Serenity Prayer. When I’m feeling down because of limitations of what I’m able to do, I need to listen to the inner wisdom that helps…

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." This prayer, known as the Serenity Prayer, was written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. It is a well-known prayer in part because it was adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs. The Serenity Prayer helps me to put things in perspective. As I have mentioned in some of my posts, I find myself wondering why there is so much that is wrong in our world, in particular the cruel things people do to each other,…

“Ordinary happiness depends on happenstance. Joy is that extraordinary happiness that is independent of what happens to us. Good luck can make us happy, but it cannot give us lasting joy. The root of joy is gratefulness.” These words were written by Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, psychologist, and author. When I read them, I immediately related to what Brother David is expressing. Many things can make us feel happy. Spending time with people we care about, doing work we enjoy, having something positive happen that we hadn’t anticipated, and volunteering for a cause we care about are a…

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” I smiled when I read this quote by poet, singer, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. I can certainly say the same about myself, and I believe every one of us, no matter our age, life experience, or education, always has more to learn. It’s important that we recognize this truth in order to live life more fully and to have a healthy degree of humility. There are some people who are not open to learning because they think they have all the answers already. It’s too bad for them…

In his book How to Defend Yourself Without Even Trying, author Dr. Terry Chitwood says this about intuition: “Intuition is a direct channel from your spirit. Spirit is the part of you that knows no limitations and is connected to a power greater than itself.” As with all qualities, some people are naturally more intuitive than others. I am more a sensing type, someone who pays attention to physical reality, notices facts, and sees practical uses for things. A person who is more intuitive, on the other hand, tends to pay attention to impressions and to think about new possibilities…

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” This quotation by Mother Teresa is a reminder of something all of us can readily do that has a positive effect on other people: taking a minute to say something thoughtful. Two words that I appreciate hearing are “Thank you.” There are many interactions among people, including family members and coworkers, where this simple acknowledgment means a lot. Saying “thank you” shows we don’t take for granted what another person has done for us. Other examples of kind words are complimenting people on a job…

As we go about our daily activities—working, raising children, completing tasks—it can be easy to take for granted how fortunate we are. It’s important, however, that we remember and are thankful for our blessings. It’s also important to remember these words of Jesus: “Every one to whom much is given, of that person will much be expected.” Luke 12:48. When I’m struggling with trying to follow inner direction, remembering those words helps me. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, my ego wishes I didn’t need to go to work that day, or to try to write, or to…

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.” When I read this quotation by poet, singer, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, I thought about how courage is required of us for what might be considered relatively minor situations as well as for more serious ones. Something I experienced many years ago is an example of this. Within the first year that I began meeting with a Jungian psychotherapist, reading books about Jungian concepts, and recording my dreams, I had this dream: I see some people sitting around a…

“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.” Helen Keller wrote these words, a woman who when she was 19 months old had an illness that resulted in her becoming both blind and deaf. With the assistance and companionship of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and speak, and eventually she became a famous speaker, author, and philanthropist who positively affected the lives of many people. Helen Keller’s words are particularly significant to me because she is someone who, despite not being able to hear or see, strove…

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men [and women] light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men [and women], that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (I added the bracketed words.) These verses 14 through 16 from chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew are among those writings in the Bible that are most meaningful to me.…

In my work as a crisis line counselor, I receive calls from women and men of all ages and often from adolescents too. Each person is calling for assistance, emotional support, and sometimes resource information to deal with whatever difficulty prompted them to call. Sometimes they are calling about something that happened to them just recently, and sometimes it is about ongoing problems. Capable counselors need to have the qualities of compassion, empathy, being nonjudgmental, and being able to give each person who calls their complete attention. Actually, all of us should strive to develop these qualities. What a difference…

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” These words by Mother Teresa are a good reminder to try our best to use each day well. Whatever our situation, we have been given the ability to do those things that are in our power to do, and we should value that gift. “Yesterday is gone.” We are all human and therefore we are all imperfect. We make mistakes and have regrets. It’s important for our motivation and for our emotional well-being to not let those regrets keep us from using the present day…

In my work as a crisis line counselor, I have spoken with many women and men who have told me they have mental illness. The diagnoses I've heard most often are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Many of the callers have told me they have a therapist and a psychiatrist, and some attend group therapy as well as individual therapy. Some have told me they have needed to be hospitalized at times. I recently came across an Amish proverb that caused me to think about people who deal with the challenges of mental illness: "Instead of putting others…

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” I remind myself of this quotation by Mother Teresa from time to time. When I hear or read about some of the heartbreaking things that happen in our world, I sometimes feel discouraged. I question whether I and others can help to make our world a better place. And then I remember that whatever each of us does, when it is done with love, truly does matter. On Thanksgiving Day some friends of mine volunteered to deliver meals prepared by a program for…

In my work as a crisis line counselor, I have often heard from people who are lonely and who long to have a loving and committed relationship. Some have been in relationships that they needed to end, some have experienced the other person leaving them and are grieving not being with that person anymore, and some have always found it difficult to meet others and have never been in an exclusive relationship. Loneliness is painful. It concerns me when people tell me the only thing that matters is to have someone in their lives so they aren’t lonely any more.…

My mother is 99 years old and thankfully was able to live in her home until she was 94, living there by herself eight years after my father passed away. Since then she has lived in an assisted living apartment. The transition from living independently to living in an assisted living facility or nursing home is usually difficult for people, understandably so. They miss the familiarity of their home, friends, and routine, and find themselves in entirely different surroundings, with people they don’t know. The transition was difficult for my mother but, I’m happy to say, she is generally content…

A prayer I learned about many years ago is called “the Jesus Prayer.” It’s just a few words: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I’ve read that it is likely the Jesus Prayer originated from the fifth century monastic traditions of the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers in Egypt. There are variations, including "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" and "Lord Jesus, have mercy.” Or simply “Jesus Mercy.” From time to time throughout the day, I’ll silently pray the Jesus Prayer. It’s important that we remember our need for mercy. It matters very…

I recently read this quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” What a perfect definition. Having faith helps us to live according to what seems morally right to us. Living in this way can be challenging, especially when other people are unaccepting and even critical of choices we make. That can be especially hurtful when those people are people we care about, such as family members and friends. It takes courage to live according to our values and to resist societal pressure to conform rather than to…

"Egocentricity is like a hard shell around the ego, shutting the ego in, shutting other people out, and preventing the energy of the Self from coming through." This is a quotation from one of John Sanford's books, The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde. Sanford, a Jungian analyst and author, had a gift for presenting Jungian ideas in clear, understandable language, and I have learned a great deal from reading his books and listening to his recorded presentations. Egocentricity is that tendency to think only of oneself and to ignore the feelings and needs of others. When Sanford says egocentricity "shuts…

“As one grows to understand life less and less, one learns to live it more and more.” This quotation was in a fortune cookie that came with my meal at a restaurant. The quotation resonated with me immediately. I am in my 60s so I've been on this earth quite a while. And although I have learned a great deal over the years and understand many things, there are certainly things I don't understand and some that I never will. I have needed to learn to live with mystery. I find it hard to understand cruelty. There are psychological theories…

One of the many meaningful quotations attributed to Mahatma Gandhi is "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." Gandhi's words are a reminder that each one of us can make a difference, can do our part in making this a better world. I was reading an article recently about a woman who started a website asking people to list what they had done recently to help someone. The woman had the idea for her website because she had been the recipient of help after a very sad thing happened: her husband died of a heart attack when he…

Where I work as a crisis line counselor, one of the lines we answer is a gambling helpline for people who are trying to stop gambling. Gambling can become addicting and, for many people, it leads to terrible problems. I have spoken with people whose gambling habit caused their marriage or other close relationships to end, who lost their homes to foreclosure, who lost their jobs - the list goes on. Thankfully, many people are able to stop gambling. But as with other addictions, they usually need help from professionals and/or support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, and it takes…

In my post titled "Our Journeys," I wrote about an adolescent girl who was frustrated when a classmate didn't agree with her opinion about a topic the girl believed was very important. After writing that post, I found myself thinking about the idea of noninterference that I had read about in Dr. Terry Chitwood's book, Meeting Force with Silence. Dr. Chitwood writes “When you spread your opinions where they are not wanted, you are interfering.” He goes on to say "If you want to make people tense, angry, or sad, try pushing your opinions on them." He also shares this insight: "That…

The other day something came to mind that I hadn't remembered for many years. My first job after graduating from college was teaching at a middle school. One of my students was expressing frustration with another student who had called herself "lucky" because something positive had happened to her. The student who was frustrated told the other student that people are not lucky when positive things happen, but instead they are blessed; that God causes good things to happen and those good things are blessings. The first student argued that it didn't matter which word she used and she would…

I like the simplicity and beauty of this prayer: Day by day, Day by day, Lord, Dear Lord, three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, Follow thee more nearly, Day by day. The melody of the song that was created with the words of this prayer has been "playing in my head" recently--a prompting perhaps to write about it in my blog. The words "day by day" remind me both that each day of our lives matters and also that how we choose to live each day matters. The choices we make, the actions…

I respect Mahatma Gandhi because he lived what he said. One of the things he said is "You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results." I sometimes become disheartened when I read news stories about people who suffer because of other people's injustice, violence, and greed. And I question whether there really is anything I can do to help. Thankfully, I have the belief that no matter how much is wrong in the world there is also a great deal that is right. There are many instances where…

Here is another excerpt from Dr. Terry Chitwood's book How to Defend Yourself Without Even Trying: "It is important to remember that it is the power of the universe that nourishes your spirit and keeps you alive. Without that energy, your breath would cease. It is a gift to live even for another moment. Show your respect for your gift of life by only using your power for the benefit of mankind and not for personal gain." In our busy lives, as we go from task to task, be it at work, at school, raising children, and so on, it…

An elderly man who I cared about very much passed away about ten years ago. He had cancer and during the last few months of his life he was bed-ridden. Once when I was visiting him, he told me he wondered why God designed life so that people grow old and die and at the same time babies are born. And the babies, as they grow, need to go through life experiences and learn the many things that the person who has died spent all those year experiencing and learning. My friend said he wondered why God doesn't just let…

An author whose books have meant a lot to me is Terry Chitwood, a Jungian psychotherapist and writer. In his book How to Defend Yourself Without Even Trying, Dr. Chitwood says this about nonattachment: "Everything in this world changes. To resist change is useless and time-consuming. In order to live effortlessly and happily, you need to flow with your changes. The only other choice is suffering." When I think of "flowing with my changes," I'm reminded of those times when what I was doing felt exactly right and as if it was being supported by the universe. What I was doing…

Sometimes before I go to sleep at night I have the thought that I was given the gift of living another day. One cannot know which day will be his or her last one of this earthly journey. Or whether this day will be the last day he or she doesn't have a serious illness or isn't disabled in an accident. I don't mean to sound melodramatic or pessimistic. I mean to be thankful. And I am thankful for each day I get to walk and pray and think and work and interact with people and love others, and do…

There is a story called the "Allegory of the Long Spoons." This parable is attributed by many to Rabbi Haim of Romshishok and, although there are variations to how it is told, here's the basic story: A man asked God what heaven and hell were like. God showed the man a room where many people were seated around a large table and in the middle of the table was a big bowl of delicious, aromatic stew. But the people sitting around the table were sickly, thin, and miserable. Everyone around the table was holding a spoon with a very long…

In his book Meeting Force With Silence, author and Jungian psychotherapist Dr. Terry Chitwood writes, "If you are fortunate, you have already been gifted with humility. Treasure this gift." It is so easy to take things for granted, including positive qualities such as humility. To live honestly we need to recognize that our creativity, intellectual ability, talents, accomplishments, health, and the many other attributes that make each of us a unique person, a unique creation, are gifts from the Creator. And for those of us who put effort into improving ourselves, such as by having the discipline to do what…

This morning as I was getting ready for work, my mind was occupied with a decision I need to make. I kept going over scenarios and was feeling some stress because it wasn't clear to me yet what the answer was. Then the words and melody of the Beatles song "Let It Be" came into my thoughts: "Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be." I realized it was time to stop thinking about what was concerning me for now, to "give it a rest," so to speak.…

Today as I was driving I noticed how some of the leaves are changing color. I'm fortunate that, although I live in an urban area, there are many trees and a variety of types of trees so that in the next few weeks I will see more and more changes. Shades of gold, orange, and red intermixed with the green of the pine trees. Although generally I enjoy the changes of seasons, I have to admit I sometimes dread the coming of winter, with its cold temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight. So I have mixed feelings about the coming…

As I was walking from the bus to my work this morning, a sparrow flew down onto the sidewalk a little ways from me. When I see a sparrow I'm reminded of the verse in the Bible, Matthew 6:26, that speaks of the birds of the air that do not sow and reap but instead the Creator provides for them, and our Creator provides for us as human beings as well. Obviously that is not a direct quote from a certain translation of the Bible, but that's the idea. And although that verse speaks of birds in general, not just…

In my work as a crisis line counselor, I speak with callers of various ages and who have a variety of concerns.  A concern that comes up frequently is struggles with addiction.  Callers have reached the point where they know their addiction is hurting themselves and others and they want to stop--whether it be alcohol, other drugs, gambling, cutting, and/or other behaviors.  It is very difficult to stop doing a behavior that has become addictive.  But thankfully many people have succeeded in maintaining sobriety; there are many success stories.  I respect people who work hard to stop their addictive behavior…