Common sense says that when a person gets defensive it’s because they’re guilty. But I would suggest there is nuance here when people have grown…
No Judging, Just Feeling
Begrudging the happiness of others when we feel bitter is normal. Indeed, many of the so-called “negative” experiences that we vilify but nevertheless experience are…
Becoming Hope
I am in love with this world and it breaks my heart. This hasn’t always been the case. For much of my life I felt…
What Gets in the Way of Open-Hearted Conflict
When we feel mistrust in each other, fearful that the other intends us harm or simply is unable to hear and have our best interests…
Supporting Your Strong People: Some Suggestions
A friend of mine recently made a Facebook post that went viral about checking in on your strong people, or your “rocks,” that resonated with…
Find Your Dry Land: Cultivating Resilience Instead of Crisis
According to the American Psychological Association, “the primary factor in resilience is having caring and supportive relationships within and outside the family. Relationships that create…
Conflict and Resilience in Spiritual Community
This past weekend I facilitated a workshop on resilience in spiritual communities for the Many Gods West conference. There was a spirited engagement from folks who…
When will loses heart
Will is a beautiful, liberatory capacity and it can become a tyrant. This tendency is one of the reasons why will fell out of favor…
Impossible to Control
“Even though you try to put people under control, it is impossible. You cannot do it. The best way to control people is to encourage…
Willing with Discomfort
Some people feel they are completely without discipline and will, mostly thrown about by the waves of life circumstance, craving, accident, emotion, or simply being…