Vibrant? No, I think not.

I have not been creatively vibrant these days.  I have not been writing or arting much.   I think this is a result of some sort of trauma-induced writer’s/artist’s block.   I have spent too much time watching cable news and yelling at the Orange-Moron who won’t shut his big mouth and stop selling out our country.

For the first time in my life, I am truly afraid for us.

But, I am a writer and write I must.   So I wrote my congressman this week and told him what I think he should do about this mess.  Will he listen to me?   I don’t know if he can do anything, so probably not.   Nevertheless, I’m going down writing.

Along with this pro-active writing, I am continuing to journal, read, meditate and pray.

The last is what we need most.

 

Spirituality Can Be a Hoot

I love TedX talks.   In these videos I learn a lot from some smart people about amazing topics.   I particularly resonated to this talk by actress Katie Rubin about her spiritual connection to the Divine.  Yes, we can talk about spiritual things and laugh at the same time.  Enjoy:

Shinrin-Yoku, the Practice of Forest-Bathing

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “tree-hugger.”  You know that type of person I mean:  those folks who seem to get a high whenever they go hiking in the woods, those nature lovers who sit and meditate in groves of trees. We should not laugh. These people have long known what hard science is now saying is true:  that spending time in a natural setting with lots of trees reduces stress and acts as a preventative to some diseases.  The Japanese call it Shinrin-yoku, or “Forest Bathing”.  This therapeutic practice was developed in Japan in the 1980’s and is now trending elsewhere. The list of health benefits is impressive.

I live in an arid area where it takes hours to drive to anywhere with a forest.  So I am making due with finding local botanical gardens and parks with a few big trees.  Yesterday, for example, I walked down to a city park near my home, found a bench, activated a meditation app on my device, and did some mindful breathing in the shade of several giant sycamores and stone pines.  Call me a tree-hugger if you must, but I think I’m on to something good here and I intend to keep it up.

 

ljgloyd (c) 2018

 

 

 

Independence Day

It is Independence Day and I am in a  bookstore, writing and reading, in celebration of the free exchange of ideas and words.   I do this in honor of writers, journalists, commentators and all creatives, and in defiance of those in power who would rather shut us down.

Happy Fourth, America!