This month we celebrate our freedom to choose. An important facet of this gift is that it opens the door for us to choose to change. I am grateful that I am not the same person I was as a child, as an all-knowing teenager, or a brand-new wife and mother. In each case, this…
This month’s tenet focuses on the irreplaceable role of fathers as well as building interdependent relationships with the men in our lives. I am touched not only by the gift of physical life made possible by my biological father, but his hard work to provide a living for our family. He and many others gave…
Years ago, I taught a group of 11-year-old boys which included my son. They were energetic; they captured my heart. One lesson in the course focused on teaching these young men the power and value of fathers. Until I started to prepare that lesson, I had not consciously realized that in this class of about…
Life culture is a way of life based on the belief that human life at all stages from conception through natural death is sacred. This belief informs how we respect and value ourselves and others. Reflections on generating and preserving a life culture led me to discover similarities to starters or cultures required to make…
Penny Power When we discuss global sisters and generative solutions, my mind immediately jumps to the needs and challenges of women in distant locations and ambitious projects that bring water to parched communities. This month, though, as I reviewed Pat’s video by our founder, Carolina Allen, my heart was turned to the power and importance…
In December I attended a virtual all-cottage meeting organized by Big Ocean Women. It was just one week before Christmas, and I admit I wondered about the timing, but that 40-minute gathering was one of the sweetest gifts of the season for me. Our friend in perpetual motion, Ann Takasaki, moderated with her signature grace…
Signatures and fingerprints are unique. It’s hard to wrap your brain around it, but it’s true. We have seen bad guys in the movies take pains to NOT leave their fingerprints at the scene of a crime, and other criminals have tried with varying degrees of success to imitate the signature of an unsuspecting victim.…
I don’t like to wait. Like a stubborn toddler, I want what I want NOW! This applies to waiting in line at the store, for a delayed flight to be rescheduled, or the doctor to finally appear to discuss my medical situation. Over time I have had to agree with the adage that the best…
Abundance of Love Last night I bought into a big lie. As I contemplated how I might show love and gratitude to family and friends as we close out another year, I was certain I didn’t have enough to accomplish the task. Even worse, I was positive that I was not enough. I made some…
A year ago, we introduced you to Linda Hastings, a woman of abundance. Linda lost her battle with cancer in August, but she won the war of cultivating abundance in her life and the lives of all who knew her. May I share some secrets I learned from her on developing an abundant heart? Love…