November 18, 2022
Random Acts… Time for misadventures with Daisy
I love Paris – the city, the people, and most of all, the patisseries (French pastries and the pastry shops they’re sold in).
Every time I visit, the last stop before taking the train to Aéroport Ch. De Gaulle (Charles de Gaulle airport) is the nearest patisserie. I order four almond croissants and two Chaussons aux Pommes (French Apple Turnovers), wishing I could pack more to take home with me.
For anyone who loves Paris, or wishes they could visit, reading “Daisy and the Missing Mona Lisa” by J.T. Allen (Sumus Press, 240 pp) will bring the City of Light and its countryside to life.
The heroine of this tale is Daisy Tannenbaum, an almost 13-year-old, who rarely obeys her elders and can find trouble without looking.
This third book in a series for young readers (and those young at heart) is a tale about thievery, friendship, and dealing with the death of a loved one. When Daisy is invited to an aging chateau in the Loire to help her aunt’s friend Felix, a former spy, with his art collection, she’s sure she’s seeing a ghost in the old family home.
But that’s only the beginning of her adventure. Receiving a copy of the Mona Lisa as a gift from Felix, she learns that the forgery is one of two created to fool the Nazis, who were on the hunt for the real portrait during World War II. When Felix dies suddenly, his family accuse Daisy of stealing the painting.
But then, the Mona Lisa copy disappears, and Daisy’s two best friends – Lucia, a teen model from the United States, and Nina, a pal in Paris – dive in to help her track the painting down.
Through it all, Daisy and her Aunt Mill must process the loss of the man who was a dear friend. Anyone who has grieved the death of a loved one will understand what these characters are feeling. For young readers who haven’t experienced this stage of life, the gentle scenes of grief are teachable moments worth reading.
For in the end, la vie est la fleur de laquelle l’amour est la miel. (Life is the flower, of which love is the honey.)
The book is sprinkled with French phrases and sentences that the author translates in a glossary at the end, which encourages readers to learn something of another language.
Another reason to meet Daisy, and feel like you’re in Paris.
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To purchase “Daisy and the Missing Mona Lisa”…
March 8, 2021
Random Acts… Wherever we are is where we should be
Some dear friends sent me birthday flowers that came with a red helium balloon a few months ago. Loathe to let things go to waste, I tossed the flowers when they died, but hung the balloon on the side of the desk where I’m working these days.
While the balloon has gradually deflated, it’s still waving gently whenever the air from a nearby vent hits it. Last night, my sister and I laughed as the balloon suddenly started floating out of the study into the living room where we were sitting.
Apparently, the balloon’s ribbon, which was loosely tied to the desk, had come undone of its own accord, and the balloon was now exploring the space around it. It was a sweetly funny, and small mystical reminder that wherever we are is where we are supposed to be.
A few weeks ago, an ice storm blew through Houston, causing massive power outages and water pipes to burst. My sister and I were one of the lucky ones, as we never lost electricity through the storm.
We took in an elderly neighbor one night, who lost her power. One after another, over the course of the week, other sisters came over to charge portable generators, or to take hot showers… until we all fell under a boil water advisory.
Thankfully, those issues have resolved. Since we had power throughout, we were able to help everyone around us, which is the point of being fortunate.
Every crisis is an opportunity to share love. Throughout the storm, friends called or emailed, to ask if we were okay. Natural disasters seem to bring that out in people.
Now that vaccines are starting to be distributed, the light at the end of the tunnel is tempting everyone to let down their guard. But what we’re really facing is a test of our patience, and the resolve to help each other through this pandemic.
Like everyone, I’m tired of wearing masks. I’m tired of shopping online. I’m tired of talking to people on Zoom. I’m tired of everything that is keeping us apart from friends, family, and the strangers who are destined to become part of our lives.
But perhaps that’s the point of this pandemic. We are stuck in cycle after cycle of coronavirus surges because we haven’t yet learned that doing what’s best for everyone is what will give each of us the freedom to be ourselves.
It’s not easy living in the Age of COVID, being tied down by restrictions that seemingly change with the wind. But one day, the ties will loosen, and we’ll be free to explore again.
Until then, take deep breaths, and as the spiritual teacher Ram Dass would say, just “Be here now.”
December 23, 2020
Random Acts… Be at home in the heart of Love
This year has been a dystopian movie come to life, with turmoil in everything from the pandemic to politics. People have lost jobs, homes, and a sense of normality in our daily lives. We’ve lost family members and friends to COVID.
The other day, a sister yelled at me for asking whether it was safe for a relative, who wanted to go see a loved one who was dying, to get on a plane right now. With the holiday season upon us, it’s a wonder that we aren’t all screaming at each other in frustration. The need to be with family is clearly outweighing public health officials’ warnings against travel right now.
If anything, months of isolation should have taught us the importance of family – both the ones we call kin by blood, and the ones we choose to care for out of love. But there’s another family that also needs us now – the strangers who take care of us in the hospital when we get sick, the workers who stock the grocery shelves and pick up our trash.
A plumber who’s worked in our house let me know this week that one of his employees has contracted COVID-19, so he has shut his entire company down for two weeks, making sure that everyone quarantines and tests negative before going back to work.
Those who think COVID-19 is a hoax haven’t met enough of those family members to realize how simple actions like wearing a mask and staying at least six feet apart can save a life. Or, maybe they’ve just been lucky enough to know someone whose COVID symptoms were no worse than a bad flu. Still, the increasing numbers should be enough of a wake-up call to look up and do something to protect themselves, if not others.
Still, there are rays of sunshine that surround us.
I have a young nephew who has Down syndrome. He knows that he can’t hug his friends, go into a store, or go to the movies now, because of the virus. But what he can do is check on his aunties over the phone.
So every night, he calls me to ask, “What are you doing? What are you having for dinner?” And every night, I ask him, “What did you do today? What are you watching on your iPad?” At the end of every call, we say to each other, “I love you.” So no matter what happens in our lives, Love is the blessing that we can all share with each other.
I am grateful to have family in my life, and friends who make living through this pandemic bearable. I appreciate having food on the table and a roof overhead. There is a vaccine on the horizon, and life will get better.
As the holidays approach, my wish for you is to know that…
You are at home in the heart of Love. May your life be anchored in truth and peace. Share who you are from the inside out, and remember that you are part of a larger family than you know.
September 25, 2020
Random Acts… ‘AWAY’ offers hope for humanity
One sign of pandemic fatigue is the desire to get away – anywhere – so long as it’s out of the house and away from the everyday routine of, well, every day…
One show that couldn’t be more relevant to dealing with isolation fatigue is the new Netflix drama, “AWAY,” which stars Hilary Swank as the commander of the first international space flight to Mars.
In the show, Commander Emma Green (Swank) must leave her husband and teenage daughter on Earth to lead an expedition of astronauts from different countries on humanity’s longest voyage into space.
The crew includes Misha Popov (Mark Ivanir), a Russian cosmonaut with the most time in space; Dr. Kwesi Weisberg-Abban (Ato Essandoh), a British botanist with no experience in space; Dr. Lu Wang (Vivian Wu), a Chinese chemist, and Ram Arya (Ray Panthaki), the second-in-command medical officer from India.
Each astronaut has a compelling personal story, and family issues that go with them into space.
Jason Katims, executive producer of “AWAY,” reflected on the show’s timeliness at the Netflix CTAM Summer Press Tour, saying that remote post-production on episodes began after the pandemic lockdown in the spring.
“The show started to resonate in a way that we never imagined before,” Katims said.
Suddenly, the idea of not being able to be with the people who are most important to you took center stage. Making the most important life decision you could make, but not being able to be with your spouse or child when doing it, became a reality for so many, he explained.
“Being stuck in a tin can for month after month, and not being able to step out into the world,” he noted, became something we all have now experienced. “Most importantly, what I am reminded of is that the show at its core is a show about the human spirit and, more specifically, when it’s tested, what the human spirit is capable of.”
AWAY (L to R) VIVIAN WU as LU WANG, MARK IVANIR as MISHA POPOV, HILARY SWANK as EMMA GREEN, RAY PANTHAKI as RAM ARYA, and ATO ESSANDOH as DR. KWESI WEISBERG-ABBAN in episode 101 of AWAY. Cr. DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX © 2020
The characters on the show reveal humanity’s best and worst behaviors, but when it comes to confronting crises, the crew on the spaceship become a shining example of what it means to really reach for the stars. Away in space, the five human beings realize that they only have each other to rely on to stay alive, and no one hesitates to do their part.
If only it were that way on Earth. We forget that we may hate having to wear masks, social distance, and stay out of large groups of people, but we are alive. Many of us may be inconvenienced in our everyday routines, but it is nothing compared to those who lived through World War II with hunger and the daily fear of bombs dropping overhead.
Today, being inconvenienced is nothing compared to neighbors who have lost their jobs in the last six months and are struggling to feed their families. It is nothing compared to the grief of those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, and the daily danger that frontline healthcare workers face while battling the virus.
Pandemic fatigue is certainly understandable after six months of restrictions, a never-ending news cycle of COVID death statistics, and partisan bickering over everything. But we can all behave better. Wear a mask, speak your mind, and don’t lose control of your frustration, anger and fear.
The virus is not going away any time soon, so steel yourself for more of the same, and hug those you love (even if it’s just virtually) at every opportunity. Things WILL get better.
In the meantime, if you want a thoughtful escape from your everyday routine, check out “AWAY” on Netflix, and count your blessings.
January 10, 2019
Random Acts… Adventure awaits between these pages
Science, history, and romance come together in the wonderful novel, “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness (Penguin, $18).
The book, the first in a series dubbed the All Souls Trilogy, has been made into an eight-episode drama for Sundance Now, AMCs Networks’ streaming video service, and Shudder, a streaming service for thriller suspense and horror shows.
The series, which debuts January 17, stars Matthew Goode (“The Crown,” “Downton Abbey”), Teresa Palmer (“Hacksaw Ridge”), Alex Kingston (“ER,” “Dr. Who”), Valerie Pickford (“Being Mary Jane”) and Owen Teale (“Game of Thrones”).
Set against the backdrop of Oxford academic life, Palmer plays historian and professor Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch who denies her heritage in favor of living a “normal” human life without magic. However, when she discovers a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, the mysterious vampire and geneticist Matthew Clairmont (Goode) steps into her life, changing her existence forever.
A fragile peace has existed for centuries between witches, vampires, and daemons, who seek to hide themselves in a world increasingly run by humans. When the three species via to obtain the book Diana has discovered, Matthew and Diana must go on a perilous journey to discover the secrets of the ancient manuscript.
“A Discovery of Witches” book cover. Courtesy of Penguin Books.
Along the way, the vampire and witch fall in love, breaking a covenant that has always separated the three species.
The books, which are filled with historical references and scientific knowledge, make for fascinating reading. Harkness weaves an insightful tale of humanity’s search for its origins against the backdrop of its constant struggle against fear and prejudice.
The trilogy is a wonderful exploration of this struggle throughout history, with characters who are intriguing and delightful. The writing gives insights into times and places that that makes you want to learn more about the history cited.
Sadly, the same cannot be said of the streaming drama, produced by Bad Wolf, the creative team behind “Dr. Who,” “Torchwood,” and “Da Vinci’s Demons.”
While Goode gives a stellar performance as the vampire-geneticist, Palmer’s portrayal of Diana Bishop is wooden and totally unbelievable. Unfortunately, the adaptation of the book is so truncated, the series feels like a superficial treatment of the original material.
The All Souls Trilogy offers lessons about the dangers of complacency, the value of each moment, and the power of love.
Don’t bother with the streaming series. Read the books, and savor the story in your imagination.
That, after all, is where all stories really take root.
July 30, 2018
Random Acts… In the life of angels
Dallas — When people hear you’ve just had a baby, most respond with hearty congratulations. But when your baby has Down syndrome, most people don’t know what to say.
The instinctual response is often “Oh, sorry to hear that” or “I’m sure things will be okay.”
My thought is, “You’ve just been given an angel. You just don’t know it yet.”
My nephew Mark was born with Down syndrome (DS) nearly 14 years ago. His speech is a little hard to understand sometimes, but it’s clear from his actions that he’s got a heart as big as the sky and a sense of humor that most would envy.
DS is a genetic disorder that occurs when a person is born with a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. Because of this extra genetic material, people with the condition may look and learn differently.
Mark’s family and I recently attended the 46th Annual National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Dallas, where nearly 4,000 attendees from around the nation gathered to discuss everything from medical information and public policy to student empowerment and sibling support issues.
There were workshops for parents and families, camps for youngsters with DS and a program for siblings to share experiences and support each other. Everywhere we went, there were angels, laughing with their families and smiling at strangers, as if hoping to coax a smile in return.
The workshop speakers also looked at the positive in life, and brought a sense of humor to their presentations.
In a session of “Ask the Doctor,” Dr. Kishore Vellody, president of the National Down Syndrome Congress and Medical Director/Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, answered questions about medical issues that affect children with DS.
He noted that while those with DS may deal with sleep apnea, sensitive skin, and alopecia, an auto-immune condition that attacks hair follicles, research shows that having that 21st chromosome seems to also protect individuals from high blood pressure and cholesterol. Those with DS also have reduced incidences of organ cancers.
Side note for the kids… Dr. Vellody shared how to tell if your poop consistency is normal. “You want to see a smooth banana, or mashed potatoes coming out,” he said. “One of the joys of being a pediatrician is getting to talk about poop all day.”
Similarly, Terri Couwenhoven, a certified sex educator with TC Services in Port Washington, Wisc., brought a positive perspective to teaching teens with intellectual disabilities about puberty.
She urged parents to talk about social appropriateness, safety, and independence with self-care, adapting information to a teen’s developmental age.
“You can talk to them about crushes and sexual attraction, masturbation, who’s an appropriate dating partner and who’s not,” said Couwenhoven, who encouraged parents to ask questions to help their teens talk about their feelings. “Ask, why do you like him or her? Then talk about when it’s okay to date, but don’t give a specific age.”
After all, how are you going to tell an angel that being allowed to sit in the front seat of the car at thirteen doesn’t mean he’s going to be ready to date at sixteen?
Regardless of age, those who have DS seem to have an endless capacity for love. They don’t have just one best friend. Everyone is their friend. They may get their feelings hurt and yell or cry, but forgiveness is quickly given and resentments forgotten. How many of the rest of us can say the same?
Beverly Brinkmeyer answers questions at The Tuttle School exhibit.
On the practical side, convention-goers could peruse an exhibition hall filled with valuable information for families with DS. There was Specs 4 Us, which custom-fit eyeglasses for those with shortened temples and a lowered bridge (often found in people with DS). Programs like The Tuttle School in Houston, which specializes in teaching those with intellectual disabilities, shared information on their offerings. And Woodbine House, which publishes books on special needs, displayed its line.
At night, there were dances, and throughout the weekend, a film festival featured documentaries and movies highlighting the lives of intellectually disabled individuals and their families.
In the documentary “Intelligent Lives,” actor Chris Cooper asked, “Can any attempt to measure intelligence predict a person’s value, or potential to contribute meaningfully to the world?”
Anyone who has an angel in the family knows the answer to that.
November 20, 2017
Random Acts… Orchard Canyon at Oak Creek an ode to the past
If you long for the good old days — when getting away for a vacation meant no telephone calls, no emails, and peace and quiet – go to Orchard Canyon at Oak Creek in Sedona, Ariz.
Just driving onto the lodge grounds is like stepping back in time. Manicured lawns and shade trees invite you to pick a chair and relax. Cozy cabins make you want to sit down on the porch, open up that book you’ve been wanting to read, and just breathe.
And, as you may have guessed, there is no telephone, television, or Internet access in the cabins. If you’re dying for a WiFi connection, you can get it in and around the Main Lodge, but if you’re serious about getting away from the regular routine of life, this place will take you there.
Each stay includes cocktails by the fireplace at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the historic lodge on the premises. The food, regardless of which meal you’re eating, is one of the best things about staying here.
Formerly known as Garland’s Oak Creek Lodge, the property was renamed for the bountiful fruits and vegetables grown on site that dictate each day’s menu. The orchards boast 6 to 8 varieties of peaches, 12 to 14 varieties of apples, apricots, cherries, plums and more.
Dining room at Orchard Canyon at Oak Creek
The chicken coop yields fresh eggs every day, and the gardens are planted with everything from tomatoes and winter squashes to a variety of peppers and garlic.
“I do French-inspired California cuisine,” says Chef Brian Widmer. “Three weeks out, the gardener will come in and say, ‘I have this,’ and I build the meals around it. Guests can tell us if they’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, and we’ll sculpt a menu for them.”
Guests are encouraged to share tables, a traditional that has resulted in many friendships over the years. Non-lodge guests can make dinner reservations, if there’s room, for $60 per person, with cocktails and gratuities extra.
The hotel, which started as a homestead in 1908, today features a tennis court, hiking trails and spa services, on request.
During the winter months, a few of the cabins remain open December 1 through mid-February, but meals are not served in the winter season. The kitchen re-opens March 9, 2018.
Even so, the cabins with wood burning fireplaces, king size beds and private decks are a bargain, starting at $125 a night during the week, and $195 weekends.
For more information, check out https://enjoyorchardcanyon.com/.
June 1, 2016
Random Acts… Good reads for summertime
Romantic suspense… science fiction… a sweet tale about an awkward, lovable creature. What more could you want for a good summertime read?
When Morgan Yancy, a covert team leader of a paramiltary group, is shot and nearly killed, his supervisor sends him to an isolated town in West Virginia to hide and recuperate. Little does Yancy know that his housemate, Isabeau “Bo” Maran, the part-time police chief of Hamricksville, is about to change the course of his life.
Courtesy of William Morrow
In “Troublemaker,” by Linda Howard ($26.99, William Morrow), romance and suspense combine for some fun summertime reading. Unlike many novels in this genre, the suspense takes a backseat to the romance. Most of the book explores how two wounded souls, brought together by the antics of Bo’s dog Tricks, help each other to heal.
The danger is muted in this tale, with the mystery of why Yancy was shot being solved almost as an after-thought at the end of the book. This is not a page turning thriller. But with a satisfying romance at the core of the story, who cares?
Fans of romance, mystery, and science fiction will enjoy “The Cold Between,” a debut novel by Elizabeth Bonesteel ($16.99, Harper Voyager) that sets up a universe where Central Corps engineer Commander Elena Shaw is determined to prove that her lover, Treiko Zajec, a former pirate, did not kill her crewmate on the colony of Volhynia.
Courtesy of Harper Voyager
After helping Trey escape the authorities, the two head into a wormhole, seeking answers to the murder, which may be tied to a government conspiracy that threatens the balance of power for all human civilizations. Galactic politics, it seems, is the same no matter which universe you hail from.
While the first third of the book starts slowly, the story picks up its pace and complexity with each page. Ancillary characters in the novel are well drawn, setting up the hope for more stories about the crew of the CCSS Galileo.
For younger readers, a charming picture book titled “Hello, My Name Is Octicorn” by Kevin Diller and Justin Lowe ($17.99, Balzer + Bray) speaks to anyone who has ever felt a little different.
Courtesy of Balzer + Bray
Little Octi is half-octopus, half-unicorn, and more than a little sad because “when you don’t fit in, you don’t get invited to a lot of parties.” He shares his various talents – like being good at lots of sports, a good juggler, and a terrific dancer.
If others would only give him a chance, an octicorn would make a great friend “because in the end, we all want the same things. Cupcakes, friends, and a jet ski.”
Truer words were never spoken.
October 6, 2015
Random Acts… Fall reading for escape and inspiration
My bedroom nightstand is stacked high with books that cry for attention. This month, I delved into two Young Adult (YA) novels and a memoir about a mother whose life path has been changed by two very special sons.
When it comes to YA novels, it’s rare to read stories with diverse characters who are easy for all readers to relate to. “On the Edge” by Allison Van Diepen (Harper Teen, $17.99) offers a compelling look at Miami’s underworld through the story of Maddie Diaz, a teen who dares to speak up and testify against gang members who have attacked a homeless man.
Her secret ally is Lobo, an enigmatic leader of a rival gang who’s dedicated to freeing the victims of sex traffickers. In their world, navigating the challenges of random street violence is an everyday obstacle course that all too many experience.
While written for ages 14 and up, in many ways, this gritty series is more appropriate for those 16 and older. Its romance unfolds in a truly realistic setting with Hispanic characters who are fighting for the truth as they figure out where they belong in the world. But that, after all, is a struggle we all face every day.
On the other end of the YA spectrum is the captivating sci-fi fantasy “Ice Like Fire” by Sara Raasch (Balzer + Bray, $17.99), which takes readers into a world where access to magic is restricted to the rulers of various kingdoms and a lost chasm of magic has been discovered that could release its unrestricted energy into the world.
“Ice Like Fire” by Sara Raasch. Cover art courtesy of Balzer + Bray.
Meira, the teenage queen of Winter, believes that too much magic is dangerous. Theron, the son of Cordell’s king, believes more magic will cure everything. Mather, the leader of Winter’s resistance movement, just wants to save Meira and be free of Cordell’s oppression.
When Meira goes in search of allies, she discovers a web of political lies and unexpected help from Summer’s princess, a young woman who fights for a secret love. Fans of epic adventures will enjoy this sequel to “Snow Like Ashes,” though like all well written middle books of trilogies, it will leave you with unanswered questions, wanting more. Surely the sign of a good read.
Far from the imaginary escape that YA novels provide comes “Expect A Miracle” by Jenny Long with Bob Der (Sports Illustrated Books, $21.95), a true inspirational story about a mother’s journey as she overcomes life challenges while raising two special sons – one with special needs, and one who is just special.
Jenny Long lost her mother at the age of 12, and by 18, was a high school dropout, pregnant, and married to a convicted felon. With the birth of her first son Conner, the new mother decided to work toward a better life for her family. But it was the birth of her second son Cayden, two years later, that really changed everything.
Doctors recommended that Cayden, born with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, be placed in assisted living, but Long refused, and raised the boy at home. Older brother Conner, who must be an old soul in a young body, developed a strong, loving relationship with Cayden.
At age seven, Conner decided to enter the Nashville Kids Triathlon, with his five-year-old brother. So Conner swam, while pulling his brother in a raft; biked while towing Cayden in a trailer, and pushed that trailer when it was time to run. The two boys crossed the finish line together, and for their tenacity and spirit, won the 2012 Sports Illustrated Kids SportsKids of the Year award.
While most of the book is naturally written from Long’s point of view, I wish more had been shared from the children’s perspective. For as parents observing the race put it, “Look at what one brother can do for another. That’s what family is all about.”
The loving care and respect that Long and her sons share for each other are an inspiration, and in an age where families are often fractured, the real miracle lies in staying together – no matter what.
April 8, 2010
Listening to Mother Earth…
The earthquake started gently. Just a little rolling motion. When you live in Los Angeles, you get used to the occasional movement below your feet.
But when the motion didn’t stop immediately, my mind started to tick off the seconds. The pictures on the wall started to rattle, and the vertical blinds at the sliding glass door continued to shake.
I got up from the dining table and headed for the bedroom to put on some running shoes. What should I take out of the house with me? Before I could think further, the earthquake stopped.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake had occurred just minutes earlier in Baja California and Mexico. A few days later, a 7.7 earthquake hit in Indonesia, on the heels of the quakes in Chile and Haiti. The news is full of advice on how to prepare for “The Big One,” making me wonder how much of our fear is helping to create these shifts in the Earth’s plates.
It’s interesting how Mother Earth’s moves grab our attention when we are jolted out of our ordinary routines. We pollute her waters and land with trash, and think little of its effects, until we’re faced with health problems that are proved to be the result of our negligence.
We think of the Earth’s ecosystem as separate from ourselves, yet nothing could be farther from the truth. Everything we do in life is connected, and the reality we create every day is affected by our actions — both physical and mental.
Sharp criticisms are being levied at Massey Energy Co., owners of a West Virginia coal mine that has been cited for scores of safety violations in the last year at the mine that recently collapsed and killed at least 25 coal miners.
It took a tragedy to draw attention to the lack of care that led to the accident and loss of lives. We may fool ourselves by ignoring warnings on paper, but eventually, the foolishness of such actions are always seen by all
Too often, we take the earth we live on for granted, until it sways or collapses out from under us.
Years ago, I traveled to the Amazon rainforest in Manaus, Brazil to study with an Incan shaman. He taught a group of us about earth energies, and how the planet itself is a living entity, to be treated with reverence and respect.
The more in touch we are with Mother Earth, the more grounded we become in who we are, and why we’re here. Those who love to garden, hike, or otherwise spend time outdoors know the deep connection you feel to something greater than yourself when you dig into the soil or stand on top of a mountain crest.
The Earth’s plates shift somewhere in the world every day. We don’t always feel it, but pressure builds up and is released. It is a good thing. What creates anxiety is not being able to control the shifts and their effects on our lives.
I’m not a doomsday type of person, so I don’t worry about when the next large earthquake is going to hit. I’ve prepared as much as I can by buying earthquake insurance, and having canned food and bottled water in the house. Beyond having emergency supplies, all anyone can do is not panic and pray for the best.
As Mother Earth teaches, life is constantly shifting and changing. It’s how we react to the shifts that will determine our survival — and hers.
Dinah Eng 