Exploring a Dancing Soul

Were You Able to do a Little of Each, Today?

2012-01-30T16:09:00.002-05:00

A Granddaughter can change our Perspective!

2012-01-30T14:37:00.006-05:00

I have to confess. I'm getting a little long winded on Facebook and perhaps it isn't the right place to post thoughts other than 'status updates.' A lot of factors may be causing me to think a little deeper about 'things,' but, waiting for the birth of a Granddaughter, Cassidy Rayne, on March 9th, has got to be near the top of the list.

So, I'm intending a slight shift in the focus of my notes here. Up to now, this blog has been a kind of Commonplace Book where I collect the images, words and ideas that, for some reason, feel 'congruent' at the moment. I'm intending to shift the focus slightly to more clearly make this a sort of Values Will. No, except for the irregular heart rhythm that is well managed, now, I'm in good health. But, I do want to state what I've come to value and why they are important to me.

So, I hope you will stay tuned and take time to leave a word or two of your thoughts. One value that I'm learning is important, is to always be open to new perspectives. As Dirty Harry once said to a bad guy, "A Man's got to know his limitations". I may need you to remind me to 'lighten up.'

_/\_ Namaste

The Universe Dances!

2012-01-30T13:39:00.004-05:00

Dance of the Spirits -

Dance - Be Your Art!

2012-01-30T13:13:00.002-05:00

"Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made."
~ Ted Shawn, Time, 25 July 1955

Sweet Silence, Solitude

2011-08-16T14:50:00.007-04:00

Today, I felt a deep sense of being alone and it felt badly. It just seems that the last 24 hours, or so, I've been posting, what seems to me quite significant quotations, not only here, but on Facebook, and Google Plus. Without any feedback, even a 'like' on these posts, I've been left with a feeling of isolation and invisibility. So, instead of shutting down my Facebook and Google accounts, I did something radical. I decided to go deeper into that feeling of aloneness and when my wife went to run errands and visit with a friend, I decided to go deeper into that feeling. I sat still, alone on this bench, in our yard for near an hour.

As I sat in silence, and although there were sounds of our busy street on the other side of our house, I heard only my own heart beat and the song and rustling of birds and I no longer felt badly. In place I found contentment that I don't feel when being bombarded by the constant barrage of noise of everyday life. No TV commercials telling me that I don't have enough. No authors pointing out how discontented I feel and then offering, if I buy his book, how to overcome that discontent. In that silence, I felt that I am, and I have, enough without the feedback that I thought I needed from social networks.

So now, I can do the next thing that needs to get done, content in the experiential body felt knowledge, that peace and contentment is only a heartbeat away and it doesn't rely on waiting for someone to 'like' it.

Love's Great Power to Transform!

2011-08-15T11:27:00.002-04:00

"Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him, which is not yet actualized but yet ought to be actualized. Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true."
— Viktor Emil Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning)

Antique (?) Steamer Trunk ~ What to do with it?

2011-08-14T11:43:00.002-04:00

Requesting ideas for what to do with an old steamer trunk. It's been painted so I don't think it has any value as an antique. What do you think?

Find ways to be creative - with your Hands

2011-08-13T22:14:00.003-04:00

Facebook is really ticking me off. The upload to this blog worked after years of inactivity. Facebook may or may not upload on any particular day.

My wife has lived in this house 34 years and we've been married 13 years and these are the first steps to our hillside. Both of us have been amazed at how much I've been doing in our little domain. I can only explain how much more satisfying digging a notch for a step or painting lawn furniture is than sitting, waiting for responses from Facebook. And now I find it is easier to post a picture to Facebook via Networked Blogs than it is posting directly from my phone.

Maybe I'm telling my Grandkids that I value working with my hands, creating. Just don't wait until you're 71 years of age to discover real satisfaction in life.

Awakening to a New Beginning ...

2011-08-12T11:37:00.009-04:00

Every day life offers us opportunities to awaken from our sleep of unconscious living. But, that awakening doesn't have to be illness or some tragedy. It can be a 'happy' awakening. Like this!

My son and daughter-in-law announced that they will be having a new Grandchild for me, somewhere around March 12. I'm so excited. They have been trying for 5 years and all their patience and 'hard work' paid off.

So for me, a new reason to stay as fit as I can be in order to play with my Grandchild. A new reason to find ways to make sure our society and this planet is a fit place for growing up. And if this space hasn't been so in the past, it could be a space to share my 'Values Will.' A place where I can share the values that I find important for my kids and Grandkids to see.

Nothing like being hit by a 2 x 4 to awakened! But O so sweet!

The Beginning ...

2011-08-11T20:14:00.001-04:00

For those who don't follow me on Facebook, you need to know that after watching a spot on Zen Gardens on the CBS Sunday Morning show, a space in our yard cried out 'Empty me'.
So below is the space that called to me.

... and below is the few free rocks that I found in the vicinity.

I may not continue to show intermediate photos, but if I do I'll try a view that covers this same initial image.

Thomas Moore writes about how the Irish, drink Scotch Whiskey after talking about 'soul'. I find that after I work on something for my soul, like this garden is a reason to drink Scotch. Up to now I've saved my drinking for when I run the vacuum for my wife. I only have to be careful when I do the stairs.

Everyone Should have a Santuary in their own Backyard

2011-08-11T13:49:00.003-04:00

Took a trip to Plumline Nursery, here in the environs of Pittsburgh, Pa. My wife promised me an experience that I would like. More than 'like', I was enchanted.

Oh! and one helpful hint from your friends at 'Live Better On Less', If you can't afford the admission to Phipps Conservatory in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, you can visit Plumline for free.

2011-08-11T12:34:00.001-04:00

I 'had' to STOP. And Contemplate!

Contributing to Humanity Gives Us a Sense of Purpose

2011-08-11T12:26:00.002-04:00

@thomasmooreSoul: We can all focus our work so that it makes at least a small contribution to humanity and in turn gives us a satisfying sense of purpose.

‎Thomas Moore's Twitter feed can be seen at: http://twitter.com/#!/thomasmooreSoul

Nourishing Our Souls, by Thomas Moore: from Daily Word

2011-06-11T11:23:00.002-04:00

Our Choice in every Moment, to Live Mechanically, or to Live with Soul. - "The approach which brings out our humanity is one which calls on us to be compassionate and empathetic toward other people. Our lives are shaped by that empathy and by that compassion, and we then become people who live with others—not as machines, but as loving, caring humans in a family, in a marriage, and in a community."

Nourishing Our Souls, by Thomas Moore: from Daily Word

Best of Boy's Life

2011-06-07T12:05:00.002-04:00

Remember Boy's Life?

Saw this in a Masts General Store on main street, Greenville, SC. Any ex-Boy Scouts watching?

Enough!

2011-06-07T09:49:00.001-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I still love words, their magical ability to hurt or heal, to discourage or inspire, ... But when I try to read a book, one that I would normally want to add to my library, something is missing. I believe that when the author tries to set a feeling of dissatisfaction, that he will remedy, I don't feel dissatisfaction with my life. This! This moment is! Enough for me. ♥

Thoughts Prelude to a Retirement.

2011-04-12T13:27:00.002-04:00

On Facebook I've been posting some very personal feeling that are sweeping in as I approach retirement from my 7 year messenger service, reception job. Just thought I'd make them a little more public posting them here.

‎"Now the average man, looking at himself ... Doesn't feel there is anything much wrong with him. But some men develop a curious inner dissatisfaction ..." - Colin Wilson

Colin Wilson describes the robot as the part of the mind that handles our habitual activities... We use less and less of our consciousness, and live more and more out of routine.

The question becomes 'How do we wake ourself from the robot, mechanical living to full consciousness?

.. man shall not live by one metaphor alone. In fact, one author, says we use "one metaphor for every 10 to 25 words, or about six metaphors a minute." The metaphor in the forefront of my life today is how habitual living gradually takes over my consciousness leaving me "asleep". As Colin Wilson describes, "If I am preoccupied, he eats my dinner for me. He may even make love to my wife. I miss a great deal of interesting and fresh experience because I have become too dependent on the robot."

... is it inevitable that in becoming who I am to become, the now me, that so many have to be affected negatively? I am happy with who I have become after two divorces and a bout in a fundamentalist church. But so much "collateral damage". Could I have become me, without it? I'm sorry!

.. as I prepare to leave my reception job, and all I tried to bring to it, things will go on as if I had never been there at all. I will have never left any lasting legacy. Is that how the end of my life will feel?

St. Valentine's Day - Reminder to have an Erotic Life?

2011-02-14T11:11:00.003-05:00

I've been aware that we should approach all of life as an Erotic Activity. But, everywhere I looked for a poetic description of that kind of life, it seemed to always focus on sex. Yesterday, while exploring a new book by Wayne Muller, "A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough." Here, on page 42, Muller says,

"... Vital relationships are, by nature, erotic. They are sensual, in that they are informed by all our senses, our openness to see, taste, touch, smell everything with a willingness to be taken, to be surprised, swept off our feet. We participate in an erotic relationship whenever we engage the world with full sensual awareness - for example, whenever we bite into an apple. By itself, an apple has no taste, no piquant flavor of late summer. Our mouth, lips, and tongue, our taste buds by themselves have no taste of apple. The magnificent flavor of a crisp apple freshly picked by hand comes alive the instant the apple enter our mouth. One small bite, and a sudden eruption of juices, tongue, saliva, taste buds, and apple flesh create the necessary erotic intercourse that sets free the awesome taste, the flavorful wonder of apple."

I urge you to read the excerpt available on Amazon Here:

In addition, I found his observations about how difficult it is nowadays, to feel like we have enough, so very powerful.

"We have forgotten what enough feels like.

... we feel powerless; no matter how strong our hearts, or how good or kind our intentions, each day the finish line seems farther away, the bar keeps rising, nothing is ever finished, nothing ever good enough."

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone!

Mo Anamcara - "my soul friend"

2011-02-06T12:34:00.003-05:00

I posted this next paragraph as my Facebook status, and I considered it important enough to post it here, as my first post of the New Year of 2011.

Often, I feel invisible and unheard, by the rest of the world. I'm coming to realize I've had the remedy, very near. When I turn to my wife, say what is on my mind, I feel heard, and understood. She may not agree with me, but she understands. I truly have Mo Anamcara, "my soul friend". Although all Six of These Characteristics are her's, this sentence is truly Her -"They 'do' life as love in action, which comes through the flow of their essential self." ♥ ♥ you Donna.

2010-12-31T10:30:00.001-05:00

Our Happy New years Dance Party

My Blessing? - I Hope You Dance!

2010-11-19T11:11:00.006-05:00

In Biblical Days, it was expected that the older generations would pass a blessing onto the younger. Although I'm in good health, right now, I'd liked to pass a Blessing onto future generation. So, to my children, that I have contact with, and those that I don't ...
to my Grand Kids, those who I do not have contact with, and those I may never see, ... and to my nieces and their children ....I Hope Your Dance!

Here a video of the lyrics for that Country song by Lee Ann Womack.

... and for those of you, without access to video, here are the text of the lyrics:

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Promise Me That You Will Dance

A Commonplace Blog

2010-11-16T19:14:00.005-05:00

Is this Beautiful, or What!

I'm experimenting with a cursive font for my posts.

Philosophy of Life? Life's a Dance, You learn as You Go!

2010-11-12T12:28:00.006-05:00

In his online course, Thomas Moore asks participants to decide on a Philosophy of Life that has room for both the good, uplifting, inspiring times and those difficult times that come to us all, at one time or another. I wrote this as mine:
"Life is a Dance!" (short version) or "Dance to all the Rhythms and Notes of Life, including the spaces in between the Notes" (Long Version.

Of course, there is always a country music song that speaks of real life (especially the downside). Here is a video of John Michael Montgomery's "Life is a Dance, You learn as You Go".

.... and just in case, you can't watch videos, here are the lyrics:
When I was fourteen I was falling fast
For a blue eyed girl in my homeroom class
Trying to find the courage to ask her out
Was like trying to get oil from a waterspout
What she would have said I can't say
I never did ask and she moved away
But I learned something from my blue eyed girl
Sink or swim you gotta give it a whirl

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

The longer I live the more I believe
You do have to give if you wanna recieve
There's a time to listen, a time to talk
And you might have to crawl even after you walk
Had sure things blow up in my face
Seen the longshot, win the race
Been knocked down by the slamming door
Picked myself up and came back for more

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go
Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

Life's a dance
Life's a dance
Life's a dance
Take a chance on love
Life's a dance
You learn as you go

Keep Dancin'

Our Celebration Dance!

2010-11-03T08:45:00.003-04:00

I could understand your complaint that I haven't written much about our dancing, so here, I remedy that. Every other Thursday, we look forward to 3 days off from our jobs: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and sometimes a Thursday and/or Monday. We have this ritual dance to celebrate.

This first video is of our unrehearsed raw joy;

and this is a more refined, performance piece.

This is also a test to see if it posts to Facebook. I hope you still respect us in the Morning. LOL

Thomas Moore interview: Transcending Unconsciousness

2010-10-24T11:02:00.004-04:00

I have often been plagued by the realization that I will never do anything "Great" with my "one wild and precious life". After all, my grade school teacher, wrote on my report card, "Kenneth, has the necessary attributes for becoming a great man." How disappointed she would be. But, I am acquiring a vision of what truly would create a "Great" life for me and those with whom I come in contact.

All of you who have visited this blog know that I have a great affection for Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul. In his book, "Writing in the Sand", Moore summarizes the Gospel Spirit this way: "Firstly, you cultivate a deep respect for people who are not of your circle and whom society rejects...Secondly, you do everything possible to deal effectively with demonic urges in yourself and in society. You do something about aggression, paranoia, narcissism, greed, jealousy, and violence... Thirdly, you play the role of healer in every situation.(Elsewhere, he explains that the word for healing can be translated "care".)... Finally, you stay awake and don't fall into the unconsciousness of the age. You also help others wake up to a thoughtful life imagined in fresh, original, and convivial ways."

What a radical challenge and worthy purpose for any life.

In the following interview, Moore expands on that final image of transcending unconsciousness.
Thomas Moore interview: Transcending unconciousness

I hope you find these words leave you wanting to read Writing in the Sand. Remember that you can often read extensive excerpts of the books that interest you, at Amazon(dot)com's "Look Inside Feature" and at books.google(dot)com.

In the meantime, have a "Great" life.

The Bucket List - Letter

2010-09-14T12:06:00.007-04:00

For all of us, estranged from our children, maybe it wouldn't be as catastrophic as we imagine, if we did contact them!

The Bucket List - Two Questions

2010-09-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

1. Have You found Joy in Your Life?
2 Has Your Life brought Joy to Others?

A Summer's Growth!

2010-08-22T17:39:00.007-04:00

I took the first (or top) video on April 22 of this year when we cut our decorative grasses down. If your listening to my comments on the second video, I didn't compute the duration correctly. It was only 4 months, since we cut them down. What a prolific summer for tall grasses, but not, as you can see, for the lawn.

2010-08-20T12:58:00.001-04:00

My Everest...Paris Road!

It is Not Length of Life, But Depth of Life - Emerson

2010-08-18T13:26:00.002-04:00

I just finished an hour hike through our neighborhoods, so I'm tired and should be eating something but I'm grabbing a quick glass of water and one of soy chocolate milk, instead. I wanted to get some musings on paper before they leave me.

Even family members ask themselves why would Ken be walking for an hour over western PA's hilly terrain. I would answer them today by saying that it's for my health, not just my physical body, but my soul's health. In past years, I've been a runner. In my younger days, I've run 5 or more miles and was surprised to find that during those lonely periods that my mind seemed to be quicker and somehow taping into a different part of my brain because of the interesting connections and observations that I was making. Books and articles have been written about this change in consciousness, and some have called it "Runner's High", possible being produced by chemicals released during exercise. This change of consciousness was so addicting, that I experienced withdrawal symptoms when I wasn't able to run and it was a strong motivation for me to return to running after getting on a medication that has controlled my arrhythmia and allowed me to get back to exercising. My wonderful discover has been that I get the same expanded consciousness by walking or hiking on neighborhood streets that I don't get on the treadmill at the YMCA.

During today's walk, I found words to explain why the first episode of Laura Linney's new show, The Big C, meant so much to me. When I was first diagnosed with the heart arrhythmia, I went through an initiation of sorts. Instead of seening happy celebrating people wavying at loved ones on those early morning news shows, I saw people who are going to die, like me. It's the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. All of a sudden I was taking medication that was making me more and more lethargic and increased my life long tendency to put on weight and of course, my chance of dying. After several years of trying different drugs in ever increasing dosages, I finally changed doctors and found one with a different set of meds in his tool box, one of which allows me to get back to a more normal life.

So just as Laura Linney's character, is allowing herself to try things that she has never done before; telling a student, the tough truth or spilling the wine herself on the sofa, I want to live my life, somehow in a "deeper" way, and try to discover what that means. I have a plaque on my mantle. It's by Ralph Waldo Emerson and says, "It is not length of life but Depth of life". Another writing informs this exploration, too; I remember, perhaps Thoreau said it, "most men get to the end and find they have never really lived". Please let me know if you have the actual quote and author.

I'm really grateful that the new heart doctor has allowed me to escape, for now, from the valley of the shadow of death. With the help of my wife, swingdancer Donna, I've been able to loose 30 plus pounds and take 6 1/2 inches off my waste. I want to live my life, remembering how precious each moment is, discover each day, how to live more deeply.

Namaste

The Big C - Season 1, Episode 1

2010-08-18T10:07:00.003-04:00

Sure hope you can take 29 minutes and 12 seconds to watch this first episode of the new Showtime series. I suspect Showtime will make a few episodes available in hopes that you will want to subscribe. I may be tempted or just wait for the first season DVD. I have liked Laura Linney in everything that I have seen her act in, and this doesn't disappoint.

Our Day Trip to Coopers Rock.

2010-08-14T17:44:00.010-04:00

I really do want to write about our vacation to Asheville, NC, but as a direct result of the fabulous time that we had on that trip, we decided to take a one day trip to a local place with sights similar to what we saw on our vacation. Coopers Rock is a State Forest of West Virginia. It's located just south of the PA - WV border on Interstate 68, a fast 2 hour trip from our home in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Heading down Interstate 79, we were able to see beautiful green forests as attractive as anything we saw in the Smoky Mountains but with some breaks of view into rolling hills and sometimes farmland.

In addition to the beautiful interstate drive, I found the Washington, PA country music radio station that is unique in this era of satellite-delivered uniform music. WKZV 1110 AM plays old time country music like done by The Bellamy Brothers and The Forester Sisters. As we drove by, where their station signal was strongest, we sang along with our all time favorites and as we entered the park, we finished our 2 hour drive, singing "I Love Beer" with Tom T. Hall.

This picture is of the Cheat River, know for it's whitewater kayaking and rafting. It was taken from the overlook at the park.

We took a picnic cooler and came prepared to do some "easy" bouldering, a novice approach to rock climbing. During our hiking, we met 3 groups of serious climbers who had installed climbing ropes from the tops of the rock formations they intended to climb. We, also, met a couple from the Pittsburgh area who where carrying folded foam pad that they placed at the base of rock that they would free climb, without any ropes, the more intense kind of bouldering.

Although you can pick up a map of all the trails, if you want to see rocks, up close, I recommend taking the Rattlesnake Trail that begins just to the left of the concession stand. It leads to Rock City, a collection of rocks and boulders that you can walk among, stand on, and trip over. Although I had taken my tennis shoes, I insisted on wearing my open toed sandals and stubbed my toes a number of times.

Just want to wet you appetite for this wonderful location. Hope you can make it, and enjoy it as much as we did. If you would like to see more pictures of our adventure, CLICK HERE!

My Wife's Variation of a Vacation Salad!

2010-08-13T16:50:00.002-04:00

My wonderful wife makes us a salad like the one we had at a restaurant near the Biltmore Mansion.

Kissing You Goodbye!

2010-08-11T09:36:00.002-04:00

From the sublime (see the previous post) to the ridiculous; I always tell people that this is my favorite country song (Listen at 1 min 24 sec in), but I really didn't know it was an actual song before. Enjoy!

How to be Alone.

2010-08-10T08:43:00.002-04:00

I found this so inspirational and found it first at 37Days.

Just For Fun, Again!

2010-07-17T23:04:00.002-04:00

While cleaning out some paper work, I found some writing of mine that I dated -Dec. 2, 1993 and the answer is:

I write like
H. G. Wells

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

...and I know, I'm no H. G. Wells......

Just For Fun!

2010-07-17T15:02:00.003-04:00

Just for fun, I used this WEBSITE to find who I write like -

I write like
Dan Brown

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

And before you think to post it - "You, Swingdancerken, are no Dan Brown" - ;-)

You can be Free and Interdependent, too

2010-07-04T11:24:00.007-04:00

Happy 4th of July, everyone! To receive your e-card celebrating this day, CLICK HERE.

On this, the anniversary of the birth of our country, I've been reminded that there is more to freedom than independence. There are healthy ways to be interdependent, too. I received this email from the ToDo Institute and wanted to share it with you.

Beyond Fireworks: Celebrating Our Interdependence
by Gregg Krech (Audio Podcast)

"Independence often stimulates a sense of pride - a sense that I am competent, capable and can get along without others. Interdependence, on the other hand, stimulates a sense of humility, a reminder to be grateful, an acknowledgment that we cannot exist except through the efforts of others."

Soon we will be lifting our heads toward the sky to witness the dazzling display of fireworks that mark the celebration of Independence Day. It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our good fortune of being born, through no effort of our own, on the soil of a country which offers us a great deal of freedom. We can easily take this freedom for granted. We mostly go where we want to go, say what we want to say, worship the way we want to worship -- and pay little attention to this gift of freedom. But freedom is different from independence. (To listen to this podcast, click the link below scroll down to the July 01 post which includes an audio player)

Beyond Fireworks: Celebrating Our Interdependence (10 min.)

Connected: A Declaration of Interdependence (Video)

We're excited about an upcoming film called Connected: A Declaration of Interdependence. Fabulous images and animations create a powerful display of our complex and interwoven lives. This beautiful little film makes viewers "laugh, think and then rethink their preconceptions of progress, independence and the consequences of their actions in an interdependent world". This trailer is a little gem in and of itself, giving us an interesting peek at the big picture.

View the video here (approx 1 min.)

I didn't realize until I saw this post right next to yesterday's post on 'Recognize the Diversity', how connected to the subject of interdependence it is.
Namaste, Everyone!

Recognize the Diversity in Yourself - Thomas Moore

2010-07-03T13:31:00.005-04:00

I was exploring the recent update to one of my favorite websites, BARQUE: THOMAS MOORE AS CATALYST. It was entitled, Thomas Moore writes about the sounds of silence , and contained a link to the Resurgence Magazine article on the subject. Of course I had to explore to see if the British magazine had made Moore's other articles available and I found an extremely meaningful article.

It's title, Your Many Selves: Recognise the diversity within yourself and you will begin to see it in others , immediately sparked my imagination. I'm sure that I've read this before, but it seemed to have a renewed immediacy for me. I imagine that this concept, of "many selves within each of us" is the reason that I began to be comfortable with the different aspects of my own complex personality and so, too, demands that I return to Moore's work.

Best Buy Recycling Program

2010-06-20T22:07:00.003-04:00

Recently I was trying to find a place to dispose of a couple of old printers, a small analog tv, and some computer modems. We contacted the only place that we thought of that might take them, so that they don't end up as landfill. They wanted to charge us in order to take them off our hands. Now, after we dumped them in our trash for pickup, we learn today that Best Buy has a recycle program to prevent electronics from ending in the environment.

The description of the program is HERE but be sure to read the FAQ LINK. I sure hope they still have this program when I need it next.

Beginning to Care for the Soul

2010-06-12T22:08:00.005-04:00

While listening, again, to "Soul Life", a six cassette "Care of the Soul" retreat by Thomas Moore, I began to be aware that I was having thoughts of my own while listening to the words spoken by Moore. I remembered what he said at the beginning of tape 4 entitled 'Art and Soul'. When someone asks him, "How can I begin to care for my soul?", he answers "...respond to however the soul is making itself felt at the moment. Before I said it might be something in the house that needs attention. It might be an aspect of relationship. Pay attention, ...noticing what the soul is asking for at this particular moment." As I paid attention to my responsive thoughts, I remembered a practice that I learned for the first time, years ago.

I was attending, and my life was deeply emersed in what I, now, believe, was a very cult-like church. One of the characteristics that flow from a cult-like culture, is that there is no distinction between the individual and the organization. You lose tract of your own thoughts, feelings and experiences and everything is filtered through the doctrine of the organization. Somewhere along my journey, however, I learned a very power practice that, I believe was instrumental in separating me from the organization. I read or heard somewhere, "Do not write down what I say, but what you think, as a result of what I say." It may take some deliberation, to understand how subversive that practice is. As I sat in church, instead of feverishly writing copious notes on what the preacher said, I began to write about my thoughts, memories of experiences and images that came to my mind. I began to recognize myself and my thoughts and experiences as being separate from that of the church and sometimes in opposition.

For the life of me, I can't remember where I first heard about that practice, but I strongly believe that I first heard about it from Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, a Christian, Sales Trainer, Motivator, Speaker and Life Coach long before there were any Life Coaches. He wrote "Life is Tremendous" and was a great advocate for the power of enthusiasm, reading and books. I had forgotten about the practice for a long time until I was reading Parker J. Palmer's book, "Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation". Palmer is a practicing Quaker and author and activist in the field of Education, holding workshops and retreats on how to combine "Soul and Role" helping educators to bring heart to their classrooms. In "Let Your Life Speak", he describes how people who come to workshops take notes about what the retreat leaders say and even participants whom they deemed wise, but seldom wrote down the words that they,personally, uttered. He began recommending that they write down their words and I would add: write what you think as a result of what you hear.

Palmer writes, "Verbalizing, is not the only way our lives speak, of course. They speak through our actions and reactions, our intuitions and instincts our feelings and bodily states of being perhaps more profoundly than any through our words. We are like plants, full of tropisms that draw us toward certain experiences and repels us from others. If we can learn to read our own responses to our own experience - a text we are writing unconsciously every day we spend on earth - we will receive the guidance we need to live more authentic lives." Doesn't that sounds like the "soul" that Thomas Moore talks about!

So, as I try to remember, everyday, to not just consume the "great" and "not so great" posts on the internet, or in my reading or TV watching, I'd be interested in your thoughts as a result of what I wrote....and of course, I'll pay attention to how I respond to what you write....and we'll care for our souls, together.
Namaste

Thomas Moore on Good Morning America Health

2010-06-08T10:17:00.005-04:00

Barque: Thomas Moore posted that there would be an interview about "Care of the Soul in Medicine" on ABC's Good Morning America Health. This interview was done on ABCNEWS Now, available on some cable outlets but I found THIS VIDEO ON HULU. I just received a link on ABCNEWS videos. Hope you are able to view one of these links.

Namaste

Beyond Assembly-Line Health Care

2010-03-27T12:23:00.019-04:00

While I'm waiting with great anticipation for the release of Thomas Moore's next book, "Care of the Soul in Medicine", I did find this excerpt through the Barque website. I'm sure we have our own horror stories of soul-less, inhumane medicine, but Moore uses his alchemic skill with words to describe an experience, which are for us, indescribable. The book will be published by Hays House on this coming April 15 and this excerpt was published in their newletter, Present Moments. If you are interested in a longer excerpt, be sure to check out Google Books. I'm wondering if posting your own stories of good and bad experiences with modern medicine might be useful either here, or on Facebook, or better yet, on Barque: The Thomas Moore Forum.

Care of the Soul in Medicine
Beyond Assembly-Line Health Care
by Thomas Moore

Why a hospital without a soul is just a body repair shop . . .

A few years ago I was feeding my two dogs, one an aged collie and the other a young and energetic mutt. I had a bowl of dog food in each hand, and when I tried to walk into the house from the porch I tripped over a doormat and fell, hitting my forehead hard on the sharp edge of the doorjamb. I was alone in the house and was dazed at first. When I came to, I saw blood all over my hands and felt a lump on my bleeding head. I sat down, not knowing what to do, since I couldn’t think clearly. At that moment my wife and daughter arrived from a shopping trip and drove me immediately to the emergency room of our local hospital. I walked into a crowded reception area and was told to wait my turn and get my insurance information out. I couldn’t think very clearly, but I had enough presence of mind to see that this visit would be good material for my book.

My first impression was not a positive one. The receptionists were too busy and rushed. Maybe they did a quick triage and decided I had minor abrasions. There were people present with serious problems. But I was treated brusquely and felt no sense of care. I didn’t feel that I was in a place of healing as much as a “factory” where the assembly line was moving too quickly.

Eventually a harried doctor came and gave me a dozen stitches. He didn’t introduce himself and I didn’t think he went about his work with a great deal of care. The scar on my forehead even today is very noticeable, while the work the plastic surgeon did on my face when he removed my precancerous lesion is impossible to detect. Maybe it was just a matter of skill—a plastic surgeon versus an emergency room resident. I suspect that the lack of soul in that place was also a factor, because ultimately it is the soul that heals, even when it is only a matter of stitches.

The soul is the invisible factor that draws people together, brings out their humanity, and gives depth and meaning to whatever they do. When you treat people as objects, as cases and syndromes and machines in need of repair, you will not be a healer, not even a doctor or nurse. You will be a technician, a human repairman, a functionary in a world of objects. Soul will not enter into your work, not into your skillful use of techniques and not into your relationship with your patients. Your work will not satisfy you, not because it isnâ€™t worthy work but because there is no soul to give it a deep human pulse.

On the other hand, when soul is present, when you are capable of being present as a human being and making a connection to a patient, even simple applications of your skills will make your work fulfilling and bring you close in touch with the people who come to you for help.

A hospital with soul is a place of healing. A hospital without soul is a body repair shop. The depth of human feeling and care will show itself in the people, in the building and in the atmosphere. In a sense, it is the atmosphere that heals. Religion scholar Karoli Kerenyi once wrote that you sense the presence of the god in the atmosphere of a place. In a hospital you may sense the presence of Asklepios. If you do, whether or not you name him, you will know that the place has soul and that it has what is required to heal.

Thomas Moore has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist. In 1994, he added best-selling author to the list when he challenged us to bring more depth to our lives by nurturing our souls. The result was his blockbuster book Care of the Soul. Today, he is a renowned spiritual writer and teacher who continues to remind us that healing is so much more than just simply treating the body. His latest book Care of the Soul in Medicine will be released on April 15. You may order this book online at either BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, or wherever books are sold. To meet Thomas in person at one of his upcoming workshops, click here. For more on Thomas’ work, visit www.careofthesoul.net.

LYRICS TUESDAY - If I'd Never Met You!

2010-03-09T22:09:00.003-05:00

I almost didn't make it but I wanted to show you lyrics from another song from Corbin/Hanner's album - Every Stranger has a Story. These romantic lyrics are from their song,

If I'd never met you.

Dennis Craig, Dave Hanner (Play On Publishing, ASCAP) 1996

If I'd never met you would the sky be so blue
Would the stars shine as bright or the moon be so full
And would I have a song to sing, the whole day through
If I, if I'd never met you
If I'd never met you would I know what heaven is
Would I understand the magic that's in an angel's kiss
And would I believe in dreams coming true
If I, if I'd never met you
I used to be the one who said I'll never settle down
Been on my own so long, what's the sense in changin' now
But when you least expect it, love sneaks up from behind
Now I can't imagine me without you by my side
If I'd never met you the stars would still be bright
The sky would still be clear on a cold autumn night
And I'd still be a dreamer without a dream come true
If I, if I'd never met you

LYRICS TUESDAY - Every Stranger has a Story!

2010-03-02T12:54:00.007-05:00

Everyone who know me, knows that I like traditional country music. I don't care for most of what is called country music today. For me, I enjoy the stories that are told in country music. I guess that is consistent with some of my other interests. Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul, sees stories as a way to care for the soul. And I really am glad to see the book and website of Christina Baldwin, called Storycatcher, Making Sense of our Lives through the Power and Practice of Story.

I've been noticing that while I'm listening to my ipod music while on the treadmill at the Y, I'm hearing lyrics that mean something and sometimes, remembering stories associated with that song. Recently, while listening to the title track of "Every Stranger has a Story" by Corbin/Hanner, I remember how impressed I was at the emotionally touching lyrics of almost every track. So today I want to post the lyrics of that title track and hope you will follow up and perhaps borrow the CD from a local library. Of course on several sites you can even hear some of the melody. I've embedded a link to the website where I got those lyrics.

I'd like to know, from your comments, if the words had any impact on you.

Bob Corbin, Randy Van Warmer (Bro N' Sis Music,BMI;Coljes,BMI;
Dixie Stars Music/Vanwarmer Music,ASCAP ) 1995

Stand on any corner, on any street in any town
Choose any one you see, pick any face out of the crowd
If you could take a look inside, read the pages like a book
You'd see passion and desire, fury and fire
Anywhere you care to look
Every stranger has a story, every heart has a tale to tell
Every life has it's pain and glory, a fall from grace, an escape from hell
Every stranger has a story, so listen well
You walk right by someone, you don't know where he's been
What he's seen and what he's done, or what's been done to him
Don't judge him by his cover, all that glitters isn't gold
For every line in his face, there's a time and place
When his blood ran hot or his luck ran cold
Every stranger has a story...
From the first cry, to the final sigh, like actor in a play
The scenes unfold, the story's told, a page is turned each passing day
Every stranger has a story...

Thank you Corbin/Hanner for such a soul lifting song.

The Gentle and Yielding is the Disciple of Life

2010-02-12T16:58:00.003-05:00

I recently recalled that I had seen this in April 2005. I thought it was time to repost this for a new audience. I originally saw this at http://barque.blogspot.com/2005/04/why-this-site.html .
Hope you find it inspiring.

"A man is born gentle and weak.
At his death he is hard and stiff.
Green plants are tender and filled with sap.
At their death they are withered and dry.
Therefore the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death.
The gentle and yielding is the disciple of life.
Thus an army without flexibility never wins a battle.
A tree that is unbending is easily broken.
The hard and strong will fall.
The soft and weak will overcome."
-- Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching

Finding Out Who You Are....

2009-12-05T12:16:00.003-05:00

The first Christmas after we started dating, I gave both my wife and her daughter a framed poster with the following quote on it. I haven't been able to track down an author but do hope that you may find something personal in it.

Listening
to your heart,
finding out who you are,
is not simple.
It takes time for
the chatter to quiet down.
In the silence of "not doing"
we begin to know
what we feel.
If we listen & hear
what is being offered,
then anything in life
can be our guide.
Listen.

Reviewer says: Moore Gently Gardens through our Soul

2008-04-27T16:19:00.008-04:00

The Literary Addict - Compulsively Experiencing Words

While browsing for reviews of Thomas Moore's "A Life at Work", I believe that I discovered one that Barque: Thomas Moore does not have. The review seemed to be life offering an answer to my emotional comment on Opus Day 2, Living Creatively. The author of Reading Thomas Moore's "A Life at Work", her entry of March 9, 2008, is Lorette Luzajic. Luzajic is, herself, a published author of The Astronaut’s Wife – Poems of Eros and Thanatos, a collection of poetry. She quotes Moore's comment concerning her poetry on her website. Moore said, "Your book of poems is wonderful. I like the style very much. Imaginative, witty, blessedly free of normal logic, surprising, profound, very human, touching, sassy. I like them and thank you for sending them. Looking forward to the next book.”

After beginning with a quotation that I haven't read in the book yet, about the Icarus syndrome, she writes,
"Moore points out the glory of thinkers like Icarus: “…the spirit of Eternal Youth may give rise to idealism, inventiveness, enthusiasm, and a strong urge to be creative.” But the pitfalls are there to smash us mid-flight: “On the negative side, it is often unrealistic and wishful. At its core there often sits a smoldering narcissism- excessive self-regard, extreme self-consciousness….(he) thinks up one project after another and rarely completes any of them.” Later, although acknowledging hurt, she writes,
"While this Icarus spirit seems like an uncommitted madman, my narcissism glows after the above bruising when Moore points out, “Out of all the visionary hopes and dreams may come brilliant ideas. The lives of inventors and artists are full of the struggle to get their novel ideas grounded in real life. A youthful spirit keeps you young and flexible. It may also be the basis of a fervent spirituality…”

After talking about other teachers that she has besides Moore, including her father, she returns to Moore and his treatment of alchemy:
"Moore always finds a way to bring in some of his favourite topics like alchemy, and he illustrates how we mix and temper our past experiences, good and bad, with our hopes for future possibilities. He shows us how to come to terms with our work past- from the mundane to the once glorious and failed. He shows us how to remain open to the opus we may not yet see patterning in our lives. He doesn’t say a word about how to make a resume or impress a corporation we’re hoping to move into. Instead, he gently gardens through our soul and reminds us that whatever we have planted or grown or lost, our life is not over yet."

Finally, An Erotic Dream!

2008-04-20T12:04:00.014-04:00

I never dream! Rather, I should say that when I remember, they are never of a remarkable nature. More often than not, I dream of being stuck trying to get help loading my vehicle with building supplies at a Home Depot. With all the problems getting customer service, these days, perhaps that dream is in our collective unconscious. This morning, something seemed different.

Last night, while sharing my remaining awareness with Insomnia playing on the TV in the background, I decided to browse Thomas Moore's book, "The Soul of Sex: Cultivating Life as an Act of Love". I have been listening again to Moore's audio cassettes, "Thomas Moore on Creativity" and "Thomas Moore on Meaningful Work". In both of those presentations, Moore talks about the importance of Eros in everyday life. He reminds the listener that in addition to sex, is the need of the soul for desire, pleasure, beauty, deep satisfaction. Chapter titles and sub-titles got my attention for deeper consideration: "The Role of the Erotic Imagination", "The Sex Life of the Soul", "The Erotic Life of Things" and, the most appealing to me, "Earthly Pleasures: The Epicurean Life".

The result of this pre-sleep exploration was the most sexually explicit dream I've ever remembered. Although there was no naked bodies, there was playful, seductive conversation and propositioning. What does it mean? My approach comes from my listening to Moore, that is not to take it literally. Since I've been dealing with a heart problem over the past year, I've been focused on diminished expectations about life more than looking for those experiences that bring pleasure and satisfaction. I see it as a reminder to tend to my soul by noticing what brings me pleasure, like our dancing, and satisfaction, like keeping the dining room table clear of that mail that needs attention.

Have you had any dreams that reminded you to tend to your soul's erotic life?

Beliefnet's 10 Ways to Simplify Your Life

2008-04-18T20:57:00.013-04:00

from the

10 Ways to Simplify Your Life

By Paul Borthwick

One hundred years ago, "burned out" referred to the campfire. "Chronic fatigue syndrome" occurred only in insomniacs. People described an automobile on ice as being "out of control," but they wouldn't refer to their lives that way. Times change. Our lives get cluttered. As we face an ever-increasing pace of life governed by email, instant messaging, and 24-7 busyness, we may become paralyzed looking at the options. These tips, based off of Christian principles, are designed to help you uncomplicate your life. Click here for the first tip...

« Previous

Lecture of a Lifetime (update)

2008-04-03T11:32:00.003-04:00

Nearly everyone has heard of the Carnegie Mellon Professor, who, at the age of 47 was found to have pancreatic cancer and was given 3 to six months to live. Randy Pausch delivered his Lecture of a Lifetime which has been circulated for all to see over the internet.

ABC News will run an update on this inspiring story on April 9th at 10:00 Dst. Here is a preview. Be sure to set your DVR or VCR.

Quote of the Day

2008-03-31T13:15:00.007-04:00

"What usually has the strongest psychic effect on the child is the life which the parents...have not lived" - Carl Jung

I discovered this on Amazon.com's Online Reader. I was exploring James Hollis' book "Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up" and this was the beginning quotation of Chapter 6, The Family During the Second Half of Life.

Learn to Dance in the Rain!

2008-03-29T14:51:00.005-04:00

I finally got this Christmas gift from my wife, hung in the kitchen. It sure sounds like Thomas Moore's suggestion for difficult times, "Find some Pleasure in Life". See his video Healing through Illness and my comments on it.

On Soul Life (the cassettes)

2007-10-07T15:34:00.000-04:00

Halleluia!
Since I, again, have a working cassette player in my van, I am re-listening to "Soul Life" by Thomas Moore. It's called
"An audio session as spiritual retreat. In six contemplative audio sessions, Moore helps the listener focus on the depth, mystery and intricacy of the life of the soul." From AudioFile.

The six cassette titles are:
1) Introduction to Soul Life
2) Soul and the Family
3) Work and the Soul
4) Art and the Soul
5) Soul and Place
6) Religion and Soul

This set is not just an audio version of Care of the Soul. It is, in fact, Thomas talking directly to the listener in a very conversational style. In case you want to try to borrow them from a library or purchase them online, here are the ISBN numbers:
Oct 1993 1-56455-248-9 and
Jul 1997 1-56455-567-0

I have borrowed the unabridged audiobook (on CD) of Care of the Soul (Narrated by Nelson Runger) from the library and I prefer the Soul Life cassettes over the audiobook. Even if Thomas, himself, would read his book, I would imagine it would be without soul. (Some of his cassettes are of him reading his material and I don't prefer them either).

I don't know that he says anything different than his writings and tapes since, but it's great returning to them, again and again to recapture the freshness of the ideas.

Yet Another Interesting Sounding Book!

2007-06-24T12:26:00.000-04:00

Every morning I go through a list of Bookmark links that I have labeled "Daily". No, I haven't yet set up to use a Blog Reader. Crossroads Dispatches's post for today was about a book the author discovered, The Ascent of Humanity, by Charles Eisenstein. What got my attention was the sub-title of the website "The Age of Separation, the Age of Reunion, and the convergence of crises that is birthing the transition". It sure reminds me of Rudolf Steiner's prophecy of the spiritual evolution of consciousness.

So Many Books, so Little Time!

Simple Pleasures

2006-09-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

I picked up "Epicurean Simplicity", a book by Stephanie Mills, today. I believe that I discovered it while browsing for websites on living a soulful life. The author writes about the importance of putting experiences of pleasure back into our lives. She speaks about an article by a William Wallace that inspired her to look into the Epicurean Philosophy and I found a website that contains the entire book by that Scottish author and this interesting quote.

Food for thought...
September 14, 2006
"Be an experiential epicure... Find the small things that you know give you a little high- a good meal, working in the garden, time with friends--and sprinkle your life with them. In the long run, that will leave you happier than some grand achievement that gives you a big lift for a while."
- David Lykken

Soulful Simplicity!

2006-09-07T22:33:00.000-04:00

Duane Elgin wrote a book in 1981 called Voluntary Simplicity. It became the basic vision for the Voluntary Simplicity Movement. I found a really interesting essay by Elgin, in which he differentiates the "Many, diverse expressions of simplicity of living [that] are flowering."

The one that got my attention was Soulful Simplicity. Elgin says "Soulful Simplicity means to approach life as a meditation and to cultivate our experience of intimate connection with all that exists. A spiritual presence infuses the world and, by living simply, we can more directly awaken to the living universe that surrounds and sustains us, moment by moment. Soulful simplicity is more concerned with consciously tasting life in its unadorned richness than with a particular standard or manner of material living. In cultivating a soulful connection with life, we tend to look beyond surface appearances and bring our interior aliveness into relationships of all kinds."

Each life will be some combination of the 10 expressions of simple living. Do you see any favorites?

An Example of Great Customer Service!

2005-11-06T18:39:00.000-05:00

In these days of poor to lousy customer service, I need to share this example that was beyond my expectations. Since I intend to link this site in an email to AppleCare I will be recording some details so that they might locate the great tech specialists that helped me.

On Thursday, November 11th, at around 1:30PM, here in Pittsburgh, Pa (EST), I called AppleCare for help with my home wireless network. The call was answered by an automated system that was extremely useful. After specifying the kind of call I was making and the product involved, the voice reminded me that having the serial number would be necessary. Sure nice to know that up front. Then I was told that the wait would be 2 minutes, which was accurate. Pat answered, introduced herself, and began troubleshooting. Each time that Pat had to go for help, she told me that she would be gone about 4 minutes. I don't know whether she was back on time, but it seemed about right. Certainly, it didn't seem excessive since I was warned.

The third time that she had to go for help, Pat told me that when she came back, again in about 4 minutes, she would continue to work with me, or transfer me to a Product Specialist, a higher level of technical expertise. While I was waiting this time, the phone connection was interrupted. Since it was now about 2:05PM and I had to get ready for work, I decided not to make a follow up call. Guess what? The phone rang and caller ID showed a number from Texas so I answered. It was Pat calling me back. She ask if I hung up or got disconnected, gave me a Case #54795216 so I could call back and get that tech specialist.
I told Pat that I would have to call back and she ask whether the call met my expectations. I told her that when she called back, she exceeded my expectations. I did get my problem fixed on Sunday after a 1 hour call with Carey. He carried on the excellent experience. I told them both that they were the reason that I will be staying a MacAddict. Apple says that It's support is award winning. I don't know what award, but it sure gets mine.

A new favorite James Hillman quote

2005-11-01T14:14:00.000-05:00

I only subscribe to two magazines right now. One is The Sun and it's November issued arrived yesterday. There is a Sunbeams quotation page at the end of each issue to which I turn immediately. This month it contains a James Hillman quotation. I usually find any I find to be insightful.

"For a relationship to stay alive, love alone is not enough. Without imagination, love stales into sentiment, duty, boredom. Relationships fail not because we have stopped loving but because we first stop imagining." James Hillman

The Sun Magazine Link

The Clowning Aspect of Soul Life

2005-10-30T08:38:00.000-05:00

Friday night, was the Halloween Dance at the Country Dance Hall, my wife and I visit. We dressed up as Gentleman and Floozy. Of course I was the Floozy. I'll see if I can learn to place a photo here, but until then let me tell you, I was beautiful!

Donna and I threw our outfits together in a couple hours. Doesn't that mean that we have to much stuff that we should throw out? When my wife gave me a choice of two purses to carry, she got concerned. I had a strong preference for one of them. The pink one with the gold-like clasp. Although we lost to the couple that went as doctor and patient. (the wife had a fleshy looking butt sticking out of the back of her hospital duds), we were not known for quite a while. Good disguises.

Last night we visited the new dance hall, Saddle Ridge, at Station Square here in Pittsburgh. For real country dancers (line dancers, swing, and 2-step), we discovered that the best time to dance is between 7-9 PM. Although the $8 parking rate seems ridiculous, getting there before 9 gets you in without the $5 cover charge. The spacious dance floor had only a few "real" dancers and no non-dancers that will come out after 9:30 or so. During this early time, dancers are left to themselves to remember a line dance that will go with the music. Periodically a song is played that doesn't sound county, more like hard rock, just a foretaste of the music saved for the college age drinkers, standing all around the dance floor.

It was great to have a bouncer and the DJ enforce dance floor etiquette, preventing drinks from being taken on the dance floor and even herding the "non-dancers" from running into the real dancers. A couple minutes before 10, the Saddle Ridge dancers got on the bar, dancing to one of those Rock songs and boy were their costumes provocative. With the playing of the Harder Rock, non country songs, it seemed like an invitation for the college drinkers to access the dance floor. Time for us to go.

On the way out, my wife Donna, a friend who came with us, and I stopped to watch the girls riding the mechanical bull. The operator allowed the girls to ride, Debra Winger style (from the Urban Cowboy movie). Then a couple quick, jerky moves would knock them off into the rubber air inflated floor and railing. All in all, a great couple nights for the clowning soul.

Asking Opah for Help!

2005-10-29T11:23:00.000-04:00

As you can see, I've experienced some blocks trying to write this blog. I will return to talk about those, but for now I want to tell you about an interview I heard on NPR, National Public Radio. There is a great interview show, Fresh Air by Terry Gross that I try to hear as often as I can because of the relevance to our culture. On Oct. 27, she was interviewing Cam Simson, a Chicago Tribune journalist who had been reporting how Halliburton sub-contractors have been luring Nepalese workers to Iraq through contacts in Nepal. When the workers get to Iraq, after their families have gone into debt to send them for the high paying jobs, they find they have been deceived.

With their families in debt for the jobs, they can't return and find benefits and protections promised to those workers by US law are not enforced. I was so incensed by the story and felt so powerless that i decided to write the only person that I know who might publish this story to a larger audience. I emailed Oprah.

On Oprah's website, there is a great contact page. One of the ways to contact Oprah's producers with potential show stories. I know it isn't much, but it's someting!

Link to these for reference:
Terry Gross's Interview
Cam Simpson's Articles
Oprah's Ideas Submission

The Search for Soul in Modern Life

2005-03-05T03:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome,
I'd like to use this forum to explore some ideas about Soul. For me, it is an attempt to find meaning in the hectic, complex and often chaotic aspects of modern life. I've attached the metaphors of "dancing" and "clowing" to the idea of soul just to remind me not to take myself too seriously.

Two authors whose writings inform my ideas about soul are Thomas Moore (author of "Care of the Soul") and his mentor James Hillman (author of "The Soul's Code"). I find explanations and ideas from a number of authors that seem to square with my experience so you will be seeing a lot of references to a variety of books.

I hope that you will want to share your experiences and will post a comment to provoke deeper thought than we are able to see in most media outlets.