Tag: poems

Gratitude and Humility

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” —Brené Brown “Only a person who has passed through the gate of humility can ascend to the heights of the spirit.” —Rudolf Steiner My Vietnam vet buddy turned spiritual guru, Artie Vipperla, recently taught me a simple exercise that has triggered several breakthroughs in my practice. It’s called the “Turtle and Peacock.” Read More

Title: Hydro-Acoustic Study at Sphæræ/ Paul Prudence (UK) | Credit: tom mesic | Source: Ars Electronica | License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Facing Fears

She turned toward her purpose. She wanted to have children, a family, a career. She was full of joy as twin fetuses grew in her womb. They decided to come early at 26 weeks. The girl weighed a pound and a half with sepsis. The boy was a fragile two pounds. She feared her dream and her babies would die. She fiercely faced the terrifying probabilities. She turned toward what she needed to do. She Read More

Mindful Walking with Energy’s Way

I love to walk. My wife and I have trekked hundreds of miles on gorgeous trails in New Zealand, Patagonia, Iceland, our National Parks and many more. For the last 10 years, we have started out almost every day with a three mile walk with our dog. It was a matter of necessity at first—no walk, no peace from the dog. Now he just sleeps all day waiting for the next walk. Over the past Read More

Title: Codex for the 21st Century | Author: Ruben Trejo | Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum

Identity and Unity

I was listening to a Krista Tippett podcast on a recent 8-hour car ride. Krista was interviewing Nikki Giovanni, a world-renowned, African-American poet, activist and educator. Ms. Giovanni was discussing the poem she delivered at Virginia Tech after the horrible shooting tragedy there in which 32 innocent people were killed by a troubled loner. I was struck by the power of her words and their relevance to where we are today – particularly after Orlando Read More

Title: travels by ley line | Author: yumikrum | Source: Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0

A Prayer for the Future

Oh Infinite Possibility We give thanks to the spiritual role models of the ancient past: Laozi, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna and more Who taught us That transcending the ego is more important than feeding the ego That love conquers hate That, in the stillness of silence, we develop our souls We give thanks for the towering giants of the recent past: Martin, Bobby, Nelson, Teddy, Franklin, Eleanor, Jane, Mahatma, and more Who taught us The principles Read More

Title: November 24, 2015 | Author: David Gabriel Fischer | www.thezendiary.com

Truth, Honor, Integrity, and Sensitivity (THIS)

My dad was a man of honor. If he said he was going to do something, you could bank on it getting done. He was also a very talented man. He constructed two family houses pretty much by himself. He built me a small car from scratch. He invented aluminum two-by-fours for houses. I never saw him treat anyone with anything but decency and respect. Most importantly, he stood by his principles, and his word was gold.

Title: Based on Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Airocean World | Author: | Source: | License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Poem for the Planet

Same earth
Same water
Same sun
Same air
Same beginning
Same end…

Photo of Traverse City sunset by Rick Bellingham

Strength

Strength is working through, not walking over It means confronting pain, dealing with sadness, living with fear   Strength is expressing feelings, not repressing them It means shedding tears, breaking down, getting it back together   Strength is opening up, not closing down It means being vulnerable, sharing fears, seeking connections   Strength is looking in, not looking out It means finding a place inside that nourishes the soul   Strength is being grateful for Read More