Author Archives: watchwordsblog

The love of a dog is a pure thing. He gives you a trust which is total. You must not betray it. Michel Houellebecq Meditation: We just returned from a two week trip to Germany. And for the first time I took our five pound “Porkie” (Poodle/Yorkie mix) “Zoe” with us. Usually she jumps right intoContinue reading “Unconditional Trust…”

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others. Brene Brown Meditation: Our wellness and sense of life balance depends on setting healthy boundaries. We need to learn to wisely, calmly and firmly say “no”. We need to say “no” to unwanted or inappropriate demands orContinue reading “Daring to Set Boundaries…”

Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry – all forms of fear – are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Eckhart Tolle Meditation: When I am anxious about the future, I confuse my projected worries with what is actually in front of me. I catapult myself out of the current situation as a wayContinue reading “When I am Anxious…”

“Can emotional love be reborn in a marriage? You bet. The key is to learn the primary love language of your spouse and choose to speak it.” Gary Chapman Meditation: As we partners change over the years, so our “love language” evolves. Maybe earlier we needed more words of affirmation or concrete gifts as signsContinue reading “Do I know My & Your Love Language?…”

Prayer is an act of love; words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love. Saint Teresa of Avila Meditation: We often think of prayer as concrete words that we formulate at certain times. We understand prayer as something like a ritual, a practice, aContinue reading “Prayer Is An Act of Love…”

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding youContinue reading “One Foot on the Brakes…”

I am just a human being trying to make it in a world that is rapidly losing its understanding of being human. John Trudell Meditation: In Hamburg, Germany last weekend, 150,000 demonstrators from all over Europe gathered to protest the G 20 gathering.  Gathered were several world leaders whose political systems and decision making are increasingly oppressiveContinue reading “I Am Just a Human Being…”

I try to expose myself to the kind of culture shock that occurs when you talk to people who speak a different language. Pierre Omidyar Meditation: Sitting at the table with a majority people who look different and who speak a different language than oneself is a strange experience. Suddenly what seemed “normal” is no longer “theContinue reading “The Power of Culture Shock…”

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. Helen Keller Meditation: Helen Keller was born in 1880. At 19 months old she became deaf and blind. First she felt much frustration and anger due to her isolating experience. Later she overcame her isolation by taking every opportunity to communicate that openedContinue reading “Overcoming Suffering…”

When you recognize the festive and the still moments as moments of prayer, then you gradually realize that to pray is to live. Henri Nouwen Meditation: This week my three siblings, my daughters, two nieces, my mother and I are reunited. This happens about every five years or so, as we live far apart. HavingContinue reading “Moments of Prayer…”