The gift of self
A great Rabbi died. He had been revered and loved by his congregation. After his death, it was decided that the Rabbi's son, himself a Rabbi, would take his father's place.This pleased the congregation, for the son would be "just…
Easter in our hearts
In the perfume shop show window was a large jar of freckle salve, and beside the jar was a sign, which read: Do You Suffer From Freckles?"What does the sign say?" asks Pippi Longstocking. She couldn't read very well because…
The stories we carry
“You all irritate me,” I tell the geese. “Well, truth be told, only sometimes.”“That’s an interesting way to start a homily,” one says, without looking up.“Okay. Maybe it’s not you. It’s me,” I tell them. “Truth be told, I’m churning…
Our capacity to care
Life stretches us all. Sometimes to the breaking point.Needing a story (with an infusion of hope), my mind gratefully retreats to an unseasonably cool night at Vashon’s Red Bike Restaurant. It is packed with patrons, for a local fundraiser auctioning…
The power of love
There is a well-known experiment involving a group of ten monkeys, a ladder and bananas suspended from the ceiling. (Yes, this sounds like a joke; only without the Irish priest or the pub.)When the first monkey (headed for the bananas)…
Passion and a soft heart
Brené Brown tells the story of meeting a young woman at a media conference. She is excited to meet the woman (an accountant / jeweler) because she had bought a beautiful pair of earrings from the woman's online store."How long…
I am because we are
A young woman with a very serious case of hives went to a specialist for relief. She had suffered for some time, living in continual pain because the hives covered much of her body. She needed healing, and hoped that the…
The power of enough
Standing in line at our local bank, a friend asks, "Do you have any new books or CDs available?"A teller overhears and says, "You sell CDs? I didn't know you sang.""I don't," I tell her, "it frightens young children.""Then what's…
In everyone, a light shines
It is in our DNA to be replenished. Nourished and renewed.I am in the refueling business. But that doesn’t mean it is easy to practice what I preach. Here’s what I do know: When I don’t pay attention to my…
Hugs and Kisses
"How shall I account for the two, or the ten, missing years on my résumé? How should I explain the gap?" These are questions asked of Dr. Kimberley Patton, by students at Harvard Divinity School, fretful and uneasy in the application…
