Category: Newsletter

Empowering Self-Development through Pattern Language: Unveiling the Hidden Potential

When we think of pattern language, it is often used in drift its application in architecture and design. However, the power of pattern language extends beyond physical spaces and can greatly influence personal growth and self-development. Drawing inspiration from Christopher Alexander’s “The Timeless Way of Building,” let’s explore how pattern language can serve as a…
Becoming Stargirl – Becoming A Good Ancestor

“To understand anything—another person’s experience of reality, another fundamental law of physics—is to restructure our existing knowledge, shifting and broadening our frames of reference to accommodate a new awareness.” (Maria Popova) We are storytelling people. We learn best with stories. Stargirl by Jerry Spinella is a gentle story that offers us a pleasant restructuring to broaden our frame…
What Kind Of Ancestor Will You Be?

Here are some ideas that resonated with me this week: I think Dr. Martin Shaw is an interesting man to listen to. As a mythologist, ancient stories are woven into his words to help bring understanding. He thinks that “Climate change isn’t a case to be made, it’s a sound to be heard.” Are we listening? Vancouver…
A Worthwhile Life, Part 2

It is worthwhile to be wise in the use of time. In eternal life, there is no waste of years. It is with the time that we purchase everything life has that is good. It is the wise use of the time that we make ourselves competent for eternity. The most reckless spendthrift in the…
A Worthwhile Life For A Good Ancestor

Contemplating my footprint in the world, I am reminded of the quote hiding in my brain about how it is not important what you leave for others; it is important what you leave in others. With that, I contemplate what is a worthwhile life. ONLY one life to live! We all want to do our…
Good Ancestor Manifesto
Spark Your Transcendence

There was some discussion in my email this week about transcendent goals. If we need one, how do we decide on the one thing versus all the competing challenges facing us and the world today? Is there one for all of us? If I have one, how do I discover it? A transcendent goal seems…
Think Beyond Yourself

I love looking up the origins of words. This week’s big word is transcendence.Transcendence comes from the Latin prefix trans-, meaning “beyond,” and the word scandare, meaning “to climb.” When you achieve transcendence, you have gone beyond ordinary limitations. The word is often used to describe a spiritual or religious state or a condition of moving beyond physical needs and realities….what…
Nature-Deficit Disorder

It can seem strange to remind ourselves to get outside. As children, we were probably told that a lot. In the frenzied age of distraction, for us, and our children, taking time to observe, listen and smell is worth the reminder. These articles remind us what our ancestors knew intuitively: Nature heals. Look deep into…
Moving Through Acedia

I was hesitant to publish a newsletter about acedia as many of the articles come from Catholic sources. I find that acedia is the right word for right now. Perhaps we can move it out of the 4th-century monastic desert to describe our feelings now. Naming something can help us understand it, and maybe, move…