Ravens and Coyotes

Twice this has happened to me in walks in my neighborhood with my dog, Colt. First, I noticed a group of 4-6 ravens circling and cawing loudly. Then I saw the coyote. The first time, it was a group of coyotes ahead, and I turned around and went the other way. The next time, it was only one, behind us, not following, but I blew my air horn anyway, and he moved away faster. After having a close encounter with a coyote several weeks ago, I pay close attention to the behavior of ravens.

The point I want to make with this blog is that so often I am so preoccupied with my own thoughts that I don’t pay attention to what’s in front of me and to encourage you, dear reader, to live in the moment, fully present.

You write or draw it: How “in the present” are you?

Eternal Flame

Yesterday Sedona unveiled a new sculpture by James Muir at the Chapel Road roundabout. It’s a mobius ring with a solar-powered eternal flame. In the dedication, the artist said the sculpture represents “the boundless nature of love and infinite journey of the spirit.”

You write it: How have you been inspired recently?

Transformation

Before my friend arrived, Colt began barking vigorously from the fenced back yard. At first I couldn’t make out what he was barking at. Then it moved, harmlessly slithering. I thought to myself, “Snakes are a symbol of transformation, and that’s what is about to happen.” When my friend arrived, we stood and watched while the snake made his way, following his forked tongue, through the fence and out into the wild area beyond.  

A snake is a symbol for healing, and I hoped that was what was about to happen.

The process my friend and I experienced was a lot like a fourth step—telling the whole truth and hearing the whole truth, even though it hurts. The beauty of the process is that once the truth is accepted, relief comes with the tears, like a dam breaking.

That night I slept soundly. The next morning, as I checked my bank balance, I noticed a large amount of money had been deposited in my account. I am one of the people affected by the Social Security Fairness Act, and I had been expecting a deposit for months. But coming, as it did, the morning after I removed a significant emotional blockage seemed miraculous and reminded me of this quotation:

“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too.” Wm. H. Murray

You write it: Have you had experience with the universe responding to your positive change?

June Is Bustin' Out All Over

Today is June 1, and I woke up with a song on my mind: “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” a celebration of the passing of time, with March, April, and May having played their roles and moved on.

Then I thought of these lines from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khyyam:

The moving finger writes; and, having writ,

Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit

Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,

Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

On this fresh day of a fresh month, may you live happily in each moment and look back with gratitude.

Memorial Day

I never met Uncle Oral, but stories of his bravery were legendary in my family. He died in battle in November of 1944 and is buried with the rest of his family in Ringling, Oklahoma. His was the second grave in the family plot.

Uncle Oral had served as a “China Marine,” stationed in Shanghai, China, a special group whose job was to protect American citizens and property. While he was there, he purchased a carved wooden chest for his mother, my grandmother, and it was one of her most prized possessions. Thanks to my father, it is now one of my most prized possessions.

Oral was gifted with words, and he was a winning boxer. His goal was to learn 10 new words a day, and he was “All Asiatic Boxing Champion” during his time as a China Marine.

On this Memorial Day, I’m thinking of Uncle Oral. I would like to have known him.

You write it: Who are you remembering on this Memorial Day?

Spread Love and Grace

The world has a new pope, Leo XIV. I’m not Catholic, although I appreciate the art and architecture Catholics have created, especially the Basilica in Saint Louis.

As I watched the inauguration of Pope Leo, I ralized that Catholics throughout the world number 1.38 billion—more than the populations of any country except India and China.

Then I wondered how the world might change if all 1.38 billion Catholics focused on spreading love and grace. Then I wondered how much more power might be released if all Christians did the same.

Today I’ll just do my part. I commit to spreading love and grace today. How about you?

Mother's Day

On this Mother’s Day, I’m remembering what my mother taught me about religion and faith. I came home from church one day, disturbed by something my teacher had said. So I asked my mother what she thought. Her response was, “Nancy, you’ll hear a lot of things at church. Some of them might not be true. If what you hear doesn’t sound right, listen to what your heart says and make up your mind for yourself.”

As a result, I’m comfortable in almost any religious setting. What Mother did for me was give me a personal God. Thank you, Mom!

You write it: What was your mother’s most important teaching?

Cinco de Mayo

On May 5, 1862, Mexico won the Battle of Puebla from the French, who outnumbered them. It’s the classic story of David and Goliath. This victory is why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Many of us are feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps the lesson of Cinco de Mayo for us is to stay the course, do what we’re good at, and trust that all—eventually—will be well.

You write it: What do you do when you feel overwhelmed and fear defeat?

Seamless Flow

Some of the time in my life I have felt that I was lurching from event to event, as if each one were self-contained, with a beginning and an end—and I had different identities for different events.

My stepson and daughter-in-law visited recently. Before they came, I promised myself that the visit would be relaxing. I made a few easy dishes in advance but mostly went with the flow.

The experience has felt like tapestry, a woven whole. Holographic, in which the whole contains every part and each part contains the whole. A visit nestled into my life, with no stops and starts. Just part of the flow of my life.

You write it: How have you experienced flow?

Light a Candle

Yesterday was the day in 1775 when two lanterns appeared in the tower of Old North Church in Boston. The ultimate result was America’s liberation from undemocratic rule.

Today, I was struck by the coincidence of timing when reading an article about 50501 (50 states, 50 capitols, one day) gatherings today. The writer suggested that, if we can’t participate, then we might start lighting a candle every day to express support for democracy. That’s something I can do, and I started this morning.

What difference does lighting a candle make? I don’t know. But I do know that it involves transfer and transformation of energy. I also know that energy moves in ways we cannot see or control. My house is emanating energy for democracy and rule of law.

I also believe in the power of hope and of encouraging our leaders who show courage. So as soon as I finish this post, I’m writing a postcard to Chris Van Hollen.

You write it: What are you doing to participate in our current affairs?

Simple Intention

Here’s my simple intention: I go gently through this day.

What’s your intention for today?

Elevator Cleanse

On my first trip to Sedona I met Pete Sanders, an MIT-trained scientist who had developed the “free soul” method of lifting one’s awareness into the spiritual realm. It’s a very simple process of imagining an elevator beginning in the soles of your feet, slowly moving upward through your whole body, attracting and collecting all disturbance, then exiting through your head, leaving you totally cleansed.

In these days so filled with disturbing distractions, I recommend you try it.

Bathed in Grace

For an upcoming brunch/facilitation, I wanted to serve pretzels to bring to life a story that Auntie Anne (founder Anne Beiler) wrote about in her book Twist of Faith.  As the story goes, in the beginning, Anne was having difficulty with her pretzels. In her words, “The pretzels proved to be a riddle I could not answer. They were, quite simply, horrible.” She tried everything and finally gave up, intending to take them off the menu. But her husband Jonas stepped up. “Let me try,” he said.

Auntie Anne wrote, “Jonas’ pretzels came out, and we tore into them like a bunch of vultures. We couldn’t contain our amazement!” When asked what he did to make the pretzels so delicious, Jonas answered, “I put love into them.” So this is why I wanted to serve pretzels for a group that would be learning that the energy we put into something either rewards or disappoints us. “And the greatest of these is love.”

A Google search told me there was an Auntie Anne’s in the mall in Flagstaff—a 2-hour round trip that I preferred not to make but would if there were no other option. I decided to check with the new village bakery. But before I could do that, I spoke with a friend about my dilemma. She had just experienced—are you ready for this?—a pretzel-making class, donated to a charity by Don and Jean Care. She said, “I’ll call them and see if they have any pretzels left over.” What they had was a batch he was baking TODAY, which he wants to donate to the brunch in my home. He wouldn’t take any money for his pretzels, but he asked me to make a donation to the charity.

Make of this what you will. I call it being bathed in grace.

Ecstasy

Yesterday I had the exquisite experience of watching world-class musicians fully engaged in the music they were creating. Their bodies and faces flowed the music through them. I was watching ecstasy.

You write it: When have you seen or experienced ecstasy?

St. Patrick's Day

On this St. Patrick’s Day, I’m remembering my Irish family. Only one generation removed from Ireland, my dad and his siblings were fun-loving, storytelling, literature-quoting and thoroughly lovable. When I think of them today, my heart expands.

You write it: Are there Irish in your lineage? What do you remember?

Finding Peace

In today’s Washington Post (3/9/25) is an insightful guest column by Ken Budd. His story is that on the day before he was set to fly to the Himalayas for a retreat in a monastery, he was struck with appendicitis—with complications that kept him in the hospital for awhile. “Yet,” in his words, “something unexpected happened. I discovered more about mindfulness, kindness and joy while trapped in a hospital bed than I probably would have in a Himalayan monastery.” Here’s what he learned:

Be in the moment (It can reduce pain).

Give kindness, receive kindness.

Embrace impermanence.

Find joy in broth. (i.e., savor the small things)

Read the whole article here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/03/09/meditation-pain-hospital-kindness-heal

A Prayer

Sometimes my mind thinks life in days gone by were better. That trail of thought leads to sadness, a place where I do not want to be.

God, turn my sadness into gratitude for the good experiences that are in my past and give me the grace to find the gifts in this day.

Jonquils

Allergies have distracted me lately, so I did not see the ground cracking in my berm, or the green spears piercing their way to the light. But I didn’t miss the brilliant yellow jonquils, harbinger of spring, which seems to be coming earlier this year.

You write it: What changes in nature are you noticing?

The Power of Intention

Failure to set an intention every day puts us adrift in the sea of thoughts and emotions that surround us, but when we set an intention, life unfolds before us and gives us the lives we truly want to live.

For a few days, family is visiting. Before they arrived, I wrote this intention: “We have relaxation and peace during their entire stay.”

I haven’t even felt my body tensing. Try it.

You write it: What is your intention for today?

These Times

The Serenity Prayer goes like this: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” In this time of upheaval, I suggest making these words our mantra.