Category: Lovingkindness

  • Sounds Like Kindness

    I recently posted on my Facebook page the meme featured here with a quote by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I added the question, “What do you think of this, friends?” A hearty conversation ensued. And I am generally quite proud of my friends and followers because they don’t back down from a good discussion,…

  • It hasn’t been done before. (Really?)

    There seems to be something inherent to humanity—at least to current humans—that makes us want to believe that our efforts are unique, unequaled, and unmatched. Several years ago, I was contacted by a British group that wanted to help children living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.  They asked if I Read more […]

  • Are you being served?

    “Oh no, no.  I can get it.  I don’t need to be waited on!” Have you ever said these words? If so, I invite you to ask yourself why. Your answer might purport to have something to do with humility, or not placing yourself above another. May I challenge you on that? The experience of…

  • For those whose world will end today

    In the silly, wrongly interpreted hype about a Mayan celebration of the passage of time, I think it is very important that we not lose sight of those who are in need of our active compassion. I am mindful of the many people for whom the world will end today.  People who will lose their…

  • Excerpts from my homily at Marge Murdock’s memorial service

    Saturday, December 8, 2012.  Camp Verde, AZ. “Through the miracle of faith, one can simultaneously experience grief at the end of a precious human experience, gratitude for the gift of engagement with a marvelous fellow spirit, and this glorious hope of heaven.” “The precious nature of this human Read more […]

  • “The Elusive Image” (A 90-second read about drawing the impossible)

    You have likely heard the story of a little girl who sat down to draw, and when her teacher asked what she was going to draw, she said, “I’m drawing a picture of God.”  “But, honey, no one knows what God looks like,” the teacher said.  To which the little girl replied, “They will in a…

  • 4 things my mom has taught me about mothering

    1.  It’s extremely hard, but most of us are capable of it.  My mom has taught me that the act of mothering is perhaps THE greatest challenge—and THE greatest gift—of this human experience.  She also taught me to fully reject the social construction of the Western world that says that nurturing Read more […]

  • “Even When We Don’t Want to” (A 70-second read on pressing into courage, selflessness and forgiveness.)

    This blog post was prompted by a thought I posted on Facebook this morning: I’m considering the beauty of Maundy Thursday, Christ’s final hours in His human experience. The Last Supper, the Passover meal. Washing of the feet. Communion. “Final” thoughts and commandments (“maundy” is Latin for “commandment”). Read more […]

  • “25 Things I’m Grateful for!” (My monthly gratitude list.)

    Emails from my kids. After the long journey from Uganda, I walked into my American office on Monday and found a delightful gift and card from a colleague whose last day of work had been whilst I was away. That spiritual connections remain even when our human experiences take different routes. Electricity!  Read more […]

  • I answer the Q: What does “compassion without borders” mean to me?

    Below is an essay that won a competition in celebration of a visit to my university by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.  It was printed in a booklet, and gifted to His Holiness.  We had been challenged to answer (in 500 words or less) this question: “What does ‘compassion-without-borders’ mean to you?” Read more […]