Like Champagne, Make Your Life Sparkle
Stuff happens. What happens is neither good nor bad. It merely IS. But we, in our attempt to understand everything, stick labels on things. We call things big or small, hot or cold, smooth or rough. These descriptive words can help, but where we go astray is when we label things as `good' or `bad.' These two words…

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony". - Thomas Merton

One of the most important aspects of our existence is having a balance in life. It is common sense that creating and maintaining a balance in anything we do is extremely important. However, this is rarely the case. Life is tough, hard, hectic and busy…

When we operate from mind, when we are identified with mind, how do we process every moment? Let us consider one instance of the question "how do we process every moment?" which is "how do we process this very moment, the now?"

If an external life event occurs now, it is received by the sense organs and communicated to mind. The question of "how…

How many times have you heard this statement: "I'm stuck in this job. relationship. addiction. attitude or .....you name it?"
Probably many times!

What do all these statements have in common? Behavior and attitude. If you are repeating over and over again "the same story", repeating the same unsuccessful strategy, making the same mistakes and always getting the same "results", you're stuck in the…

Real love stories never have endings (Richard Bach)With Valentine's Day almost here, today's article on romantic relationships is timely. However, it is prompted by a reader's two-part question: "Is it true that it is easier to forgive than to forget?" and "What are the challenges of love?" Let's dive in at once, considering the questions in the order in which they were raised.

People betrayed by their spouse may say that they can FORGIVE their mate for cheating, but can never FORGET their betrayal. Their pain is understandable. However, unless we forget, it is not forgiveness. Holding on to…

The advantage of being old is that I can sing while I brush my teeth
Do you suffer from gerontophobia, which is the fear of old people, old age, and growing old? Judging by the number of books dealing with life after 50, or even 40, it appears that many people have difficulty dealing with aging. Since I’m 65, I have the right to ask, “What’s all the fuss about?”

Part of the problem, it seems to me, is how we interpret the meaning of ‘OLD.’ In the minds of many, the word means decrepit, in shambles, falling…

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape
Isn't it wonderful to be mentally flexible? For when we are, we'll never get bent out of shape. But mental flexibility is much more than a desirable trait. It is essential for the welfare of humanity. Without it, we place our planet and ourselves in peril. Oppressive regimes inflict terror and deny human rights because they believe their way is the only way. Their rigidity of thought doesn't tolerate freedom of expression. Even democratic nations can get carried away. "You are either for us or against…

It's okay to pick your friends, but don't pick them to piecesWhat do you think of people who descend on their friends like vultures, criticizing, maligning, ridiculing, scorning, blaming, insulting, and belittling them? Actual vultures feed on carrion, but these human vultures pick their friends apart while they are still alive. Our family members are supposed to be our closest friends, yet even they may engage in the same malicious tactics. It’s time to impose a cease-fire, and the best way to start is to become aware of our actions and to accept responsibility for them.

When we criticize…