#248 Appreciation + Gratitude

Practicing appreciation isn’t necessarily about looking for and finding things to appreciate. Rather, it’s being aware, in the moment, of the things that please you. Practicing appreciation is noticing those things, and noticing the pleasure they bring you. You don’t...

#249 Suffering

My wife’s nephew has a serious physical disability, and he recently had a medical crisis. People said things like, “It’s so sad that he has to suffer.” But here’s the thing — I have never known him to suffer. Simply stated, he does not interpret any aspect of his life...

#252 In Person

I’m in Apple Valley, MN for several days. We got here just in time for the lilacs and the flowering trees. A balm. (Yes, that’s my home in the photo.) I have some open time, so if you’d like an in-person reading, get in touch. After Memorial Day we head up to the Iron...

#253 Unconditional Acceptance

Is “unconditional acceptance of all others” an achievable goal? I have trouble even imagining such an accomplishment! Whew. Time to get out the string to tie on my finger. I will move in the direction of unconditional acceptance by remembering, over and over, that...

#254 Assiduousness

In Tenacity Notes #191, August 26, 2013, I announced that I had decided to walk the Path of Love. Immediately, there were many delights along the way, joy was my companion in life, and I was grateful that I had chosen to walk this Path. It was easy. There have been...

#255 Lamentations

Choose your solution. I’ve heard a lot of laments lately — the state of the nation; the state of the workplace; the state of relationships. But for every lament there are solutions, and they are legion. Here’s one solution I like: become what I desire. Do I desire...

#256 Can You Be Happy?

Can you be happy? Well, what’s keeping you from it? Do your automatic, ingrained responses to life’s situations and circumstances cause you to feel happy? Yes? No? If not, change your response. It is easily done, it just takes practice. If you can think one thing, you...

#257 Off the Grid

I will be off the grid and out of touch for a while. I won’t have access to email, voicemail, phone or text. I will have access to water, sky, trees, and campfires. And Walleyes. I’ll be canoe camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — an extended trip....