Identifying the difference between freedom and lack of self-discipline is an essential teaching on our journey as spiritual beings. Thich Nhat Hanh offers us perspective to help those struggling with this important concern for anyone with or wanting to have a spiritual practice, whether it is meditation, Hatha Yoga, Tai Qi, Qi Gong or any other regular spiritual practice....
We all know every relationship is unique. We also know that most relationships have many similar characteristics. As a Relationship Coach and Couples Counselor, I smiled when I read 6 Things Your Couples Therapist Already Knows About Your Relationship by Abby Rodman, LICSW, on Huffington Post. Truly, there are things your couples counselor already knows about your relationship. I included an excerpt and their list from the original article, but you will need to read the article for Abby Rodman's particular take on couples counseling. I would also like to add to the list, The Relationship Blame Game.
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Music has been a part of my life since early childhood, like many of us. I remember when my dad used to bring me home 45s of The Beatles, and I was ecstatic. The next stage in my musical connection developed in adolescence through my teen years. Like many teenagers, music was the heart and soul of my life and one of the few places I felt safe and understood. In my late teens, I became a disc jockey, and I have done so at various times throughout my adulthood. When the mess that was my teens and 20s began to shift, music again was at the core of my development and a safe place for me to go when I felt overwhelmed or fearful. Today, I cannot imagine life without music! My relationship with music typically mirrors my relationship with myself. When I first stumbled upon the website of Music and Memory, I was thrilled and almost began to cry watching the video of The Story of Henry. The Music and Memory iPod Project is amazing! I invite you to read some of the content below from their website and view a few of their videos, including the trailer to Alive Inside The Music and Memory Story....
I was reading The Feminist Guide to Non-Creepy Flirting and thought it may be helpful to share with readers. I know many men see the word "feminist" and immediately stop reading or become defensive. For the men that this applies to, I invite you to hang in there and reap the benefits of the wisdom and knowledge helping you connect with women that you want to meet. I do not believe anything that is written below is either offensive or disrespectful. In fact, I wish when I was young, the information that is shared here was available to me. I am certain many women along the way would have been grateful as well! I hope you enjoy the Feminist Guide to Non-Creepy Flirting as much as I did....
I remember about a dozen years ago, I was going through a particularly challenging time that felt like a hopeless period In my personal and spiritual development. Among other things, my mentor suggested that I read and meditate on Dark Night Of The Soul by
St. John of The Cross. She suggested I pay close attention to the teachings on spiritual greed and gluttony. I immediately became furious at her but pretended as if I was okay. Of course, she knew better. Like any "good student" who wants to prove to his mentor just how good a student he is, I left her and directly went to buy a copy of the book.
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Couples counseling can be a window into how couples communicate in relationships. I have noticed lately how many couples play the relationship blame game. The relationship blame game is when both people in the relationship name all the problems that have caused conflict, stress, pressure, distance, or any other relationship challenges as being due to their partner, not themselves. This is what I call the relationship blame game....
As the weather in South Korea starts to turn, so do the leaves. I have looked forward to this more this year than in the past. I wanted to see what autumn looks like in South Korea. It has arrived. Red, burnt orange, orange, yellow, ochre, green, and light green fill the streets of Cheonan. Today, being a sometimes-sunny, sometimes-cloudy day, I wanted to get out on Tang San Mountain with my camera and hiking shoes to enjoy the day. I did not leave my room till about 3:30, which was fine. It is getting dark around 6:00 these days, so I would have plenty of time to explore and take pictures of the trees and whatever else caught my fancy. I got some great shots of the top of the white cement apartment buildings, foreshadowing all the mountains in the background that surround the city of Cheonan. I had not seen this view before; it was the first time I made it to this trail. This trail was more vigorous and inclined, with better-unobstructed views of the city....
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