Author Archives: watchwordsblog

The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.  E. Joseph Cossman Meditation: This sentence has been a favorite saying of my mother when she raised us four children while being the pastor’s wife of a traditional German congregation that expected much from their pastor and from his family. I love myContinue reading “Sleep as Bridge Between Despair and Hope…”

It is important to feel the anger without judging it, without attempting to find meaning in it. It may take many forms: anger at the health-care system, at life, at your loved one for leaving. Life is unfair. Death is unfair. Anger is a natural reaction to the unfairness of loss. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Meditation: MyContinue reading “The Anger at Death Being Unfair…”

Over-functioning is taking responsibility for your own life and for the lives of everyone around you. With the over-functioner, there’s a fear that if they don’t do it, it won’t get done. Terri Cole Meditation: Often first born children, oldest girls, children of low- or over-functioning parents or anxious personalities have the tendency to feelContinue reading “Over-functioning…”

There is a lot of healing going on. Really! More people are vegetarians, more are in the green movement, more of us are tearing down the old paradigms and embracing same-sex marriage, single motherhood, men raising babies. Iyanla Vanzant Meditation: God’s realm is a healing space where people start seeing their connection with the earthContinue reading “Healing Is Going On…”

The glory of justice and the majesty of law are created not just by the Constitution – nor by the courts – nor by the officers of the law – nor by the lawyers – but by the men and women who constitute our society – who are the protectors of the law as theyContinue reading “Let Justice Roll…”

We live in a world where most people still subscribe to the belief that shame is a good tool for keeping people in line. Not only is this wrong, but it’s dangerous. Shame is highly correlated with addiction, violence, aggression, depression, eating disorders, and bullying.” Brené Brown Meditation: Shaming has been and is until todayContinue reading “Shaming Is Dangerous…”

I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. Brene Brown Meditation: Vulnerable times are times when we are in transition, times when we are sick, times when weContinue reading “The Energy of Connection…”

When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability… To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L’Engle Meditation: The past days I have struggled with an ear infection. I had those a lot when I wasContinue reading “Vulnerability…”

Can miles truly separate you from friends? If you want to be with someone you love, aren’t you already there?  Richard Bach Meditation: I have a friend who I have known since kindergarten. I adored her. She had black hair, brown eyes, and her skin was beautiful. I thought she was the prettiest girl IContinue reading “I Have a Friend…”

You have a right to say no. Most of us have very weak and flaccid ‘no’ muscles. We feel guilty for saying no. We get ostracized and challenged for saying no, so we forget it’s our choice. Your ‘no’ muscle has to be built up to get to a place where you can say, ‘IContinue reading “You Have a Right to Say “No”…”