When we think about our purpose in life, it's tempting to want to list impressive goals and accomplishments. We want to know we are here for a reason and that we will make an impact in the world. Discovering a new cancer drug, for example, or joining the Peace Corps, or giving an inspirational workshop forges a meaningful path and purpose for a select few. But what of the rest of us with less definable ways of making an impact? At one point or another, most of us question our

I've always been an "angel person." My mom too. When I was growing up, visits by angels and spirits were considered a natural part of life, so I never saw it as particularly unusual when, as a young adult, I delved into a deeper relationship with my guardian angel. I called on her for help with just about everything. And I still do today. It amazes me how many of us have forgotten that we have access to this great gift. Or we never knew in the first place that we have untappe

“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” From one of my heroes, Maya Angelou, this beloved quote illustrates how she not only had a way with words, but a way with gratitude. Her poetry, books and wide variety of other creative offerings drove at the truth with such force as to make us all wonder how we had missed so much depth in our own lives. The beauty of her inspired literature swept us away into her experience and lifted us up with the hope of rising t

A friend called yesterday and shared how she was suffering from daily anxiety and panic attacks. She was the third person to relay a similar story in past weeks. This can't be good. Embodying calm seems like an elusive dream, but have faith. It’s not out of reach. In fact, it's right here within. Before we accept anxiety as a companion, there are tools that can bring us closer to our always-calm center. Yes, there is peace in there. Promise. Sometimes waaaaaaay in there as th

If you woke up today feeling less than beautiful, remember, that no matter what is going on with you, the soul is always beautiful and radiant beyond imagination. And not only that, it is capable of rising above any challenge you may face today - to gain a higher perspective. Like being on an airplane high up over the clouds, the humans on the ground experience a rainy day, while the real you is getting all of the sunshine. Yes, the soul has the overview, the big picture, the

I wake at dawn, wrap in a blanket and head out to soak in the last sights and sounds rising up from this sleepy, hallowed ground. Today is my last day on Hunters Road. I nestle in at the little table, and everyone shows up for the going-away party. The woodpecker provides percussion while the breakdancing goldfinch flips around on the closest tree. Male and female cardinals dart by in flashes of crimson. Throaty croaks come from the pond as the rooster, who has it right this

My tinnitus came on gradually as a result of a long music career standing next to a guitar amp and in front of a drum kit. (I don't blame you, Andy, really I don't.) The first few times my right ear made a shrill scream, I was not alarmed. I thought it might be my angel daughter communicating from heaven. No worries, just a Hallelujah. When it came on full force and full time, with both ears emitting many wavy, high-pitched siren sounds in tandem, I was sure a spaceship had t

Yesterday, as I was peacefully writing, four horses stampeded down the hill from the farm next door, just a few yards from the window, trampling the brush and racing into the clearing. One minute I was in a quiet Zen-like Om-worthy cabin, and the next I was in the wild, wild West. They were totally psyched to be free, pirouetting on their hind legs then taking off toward Hunters Road. Uh-oh—that can’t be good. I ran to call Lorraine, the neighborhood horse whisperer. She was

Decked out in their finest, Mom and Dad were on their way down Route A1A in Florida to an anniversary party at an elegant yacht club. They didn’t go to many social events and were excited to celebrate this special evening in the lives of their old friends. Mom chose flowing blue silk and pearls; Dad wore his best suit. The previous summer, Mom had endured a double mastectomy for breast cancer, and this party marked a return to the small joys of life. Now several towns from th

I have long held on to the belief that we live in a benevolent universe where the power of good far outweighs the power of evil. In the relentlessly positive world that I envision, there is always an available beam of light, shining out from the depths of even the weariest soul, to illuminate the darkness. Mean-spiritedness withers in the face of kindness; hate and racism fold in the presence of love and truth. But the continuing affront to our hearts by acts of terror on the

As I sit in the morning sun considering ways to celebrate joy in small things, I imagine a colorful tube reaching from the sky to me. Through this open, joy-transmitting tunnel, I feel beams of sheer bliss coming right into the top of my head and landing with laughter in my heart. My joy channel is getting a strong signal. But strangely, it repeatedly sends down but one thing through my tunnel. Coffee cake. Yes, indeed. I’m channeling almond coffee cake. Since taking all thin

The squirrels are collecting and burying nuts; the horses are circling the field in the rain; the leaves are beginning the long slow process of changing hue; the wind is gently sweeping away the ones that have volunteered to fly first. All is well out my window on this fall afternoon as if nature was born of faith. And all is well with the spirit too. Even in dramatic changes and challenges, the spirit remains calm and steady. Even in our confusion and indecision, the spirit

My mother, who we affectionately call "Tiny Guru" for her small stature and great spirit, takes pride in being my manager. There’s nothing much to manage as I am a hermit writer living in the country, and that suits us both nicely. On a daily basis she gives me the priceless gift of her unconditional love and enthusiastic support. No matter the project, she is all in. She also does a particularly vital task for me: She xeroxes my Facebook posts and sends me hard copies of the

A few days ago from the writing window a rustling caught my eye. Heading straight for me was a large, limping skunk with a very puffy tuft of white hair covering her back like a lovely fur coat. As she approached, it occurred to me that no one really prays for skunks, except maybe to say while driving, Please God, don’t let me hit this thing. We make assumptions about skunks. We think we know them. No, skunks, like stink bugs have a bad rap with very few finding the good in t

This morning I wrap in a blanket and pad out the back door to be with the sunrise. The early birds begin in the dark with tentative melodie

Speaking our truth is one of the best ways to get to know ourselves. Many a heart can be healed by the simple act of uncensored expression in the presence of quiet compassion. So while it may seem passive to find yourself on the listening end of a conversation, you are giving a precious gift. I’m not sure when my self-conscious veneer started to crack, but I must admit I talk to horses a lot these days. They don’t interrupt me when I’m talking; they nod between bites of grass

Tiny pieces of the tail of a comet grazed my house last night. Yours too. They may as well have landed on the roof. Fiery, wish-worthy, shooting stars danced in every corner of the sky, lighting up the night, and our dreams, with ancient stardust. The Perseid meteor shower travels trillions of miles to put on the spectacular, annual fireworks show—and to shake us out of our earthly coma. When we stare at the sky, we can’t help but ask the big questions. After, “How could fore

Soon after I moved here, I noticed something of grave concern: There were wasp nests under many of the eves of the cabin. Most were fairly small starter homes, but nonetheless, they were there and I was not going to peacefully co-exist with them. Peter, the supremely helpful owner, offered, “You can knock them down with a broom, but they’ll just come back. They’re pretty benign.” Benign? Are you kidding me? In my mind, they were dive-bombing the plate at mealtime, chasing me

The first time I came home to the cabin after dark and shut off my lights at the end of the long gravel driveway, I sat in dread. This was a huge mistake. There was no way I was going to walk from the car down the tiered steps through the tunnel of trees to the front door. Nope. It was pitch black, coal black, not a drop of light black. Perhaps the universe was sending me down a little joke, handing me a reflection of my life at that time. I sat for long minutes in humorless

I crossed the one-lane bridge and caught site of the enormous black bull who lives in a bucolic field next to a lake on Hunters Road. Walking up the hill I wonder, What is your name, Big Bull? In rhythm with my steps, I roll over possible names for him. He needs a regal name. A big name for a big guy. A name for the ages. Abraham. That’s your name. You’re Abraham! Standing at the split rail fence I call him bravely but sweetly. “Abraham! Abraham! Come here honey! Come on boy!