The power of hope

History is made as the world is shown what hope can accomplish.
As we pick up the pieces and begin to move forward, it’s up to each of us to remember the hope and optimism we feel at this moment, and to invoke these when the clouds of uncertainty and doubt gather again.
The question isn’t whether [...]

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The essence of the Spiritual Warrior

What makes someone a “Spiritual Warrior?” Is it something one does, or something one decides?
You will have joy only when you focus on having it and settle for nothing less.
–Orin, as channeled by Sanaya Roman in the book Living with Joy
Making sense of the term “Spiritual Warrior” has always been a challenge for me because each word seems to hold opposite [...]

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Life expectancy in U.S. declining

It’s rare that any “news” reported by corporate media catches my attention, but today I came across some that did. A thought-provoking story in the Seattle Times presented the unsettling findings of a recent study on U.S. life expectancy by the University of Washington and Harvard. From the article by Tom Paulson:
For the first time since the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, the life expectancy [...]

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Natural and Cruelty-Free Grooming: My Top 10

Grooming is a ritual I’ve always enjoyed because it quiets my mind and relaxes my body. Do you get flashes of insight while brushing your teeth or washing your hair, too?
In no particular order, here are my 10 favorite natural grooming products. Each is made from natural ingredients that aren’t tested on animals.
 
Kiss My Face Moisture Shave, Cool Mint (left) – This [...]

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Finding power in the face of apathy

I don’t watch much TV, but happened to have the evening news on yesterday. It was shocking when I realized nearly all of the commercials I was seeing were for some variety of prescription drug.
Since it became legal for drug companies to market directly to the public, we’ve been handing over responsibility for our health and well [...]

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Misguided Marketing: The “Enlightenment Card” and “Christian” Daycare

I came across this ad while thumbing through one of Seattle’s intentional living publications today. In the words of bi-coastal marketing diva Jenka Gurfinkel, “In case you’re wondering, yes the card IS real [and] no that ad is NOT a joke.”
I’ll add “Yuck, and no thank you.”
Later while on the way to the grocery store, I saw [...]

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Consumerism in the “New Age”

Connecticut-based importer and wholesaler Benjamin International recently recalled 460,000 items sold between 2002 and 2007 due to high lead content. Apparently pewter pendants in “New Age” styles including signs of the zodiac, the runes, and a line called “Celtic Harmonies” comprised a substantial portion of the recall.
I know we’re all imperfect. Some of us have worn leather sneakers to [...]

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