On this week’s podcast I remember my mother, Sylvia Sinclair Carr Berking, whose birthday was less than 2 weeks ago, on August 28th. It would have been Mom’s 96th birthday. She was 86 and a half when she died on February 7th, 2015. It’s nearly 11 years since my mom died and I think of my Mom on a regular basis. I am so grateful for my mother’s generosity, humor and her spiritual curiosity.

In the last two years of her life, Mom articulated what she was living for and trusted that the Universe would help manifest that desire. Being confined to a wheel chair after her left leg was amputated, didn’t stop Mom from being on the dance floor of her granddaughter’s wedding!! May we be inspired to articulate our dreams and make room in our minds and hearts for them to happen. Enjoy the podcast!

On this Labor Day, as the summer comes to a close and you (hopefully) enjoy a day off, time with family and friends, before the school year starts, let’s not forget all those who have risked so much to protect our work force. May we advocate for even better working conditions that reflect social justice, decent work and the safety and health of all workers. Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the podcast.

Links:
AFL-CIO
The Dark History of Labor Day (YouTube)

On this week’s episode, I share my recent encounter with a hawk feather and all that brought up for me. What words, images and spiritual wisdom do you associate with a hawk feather? May the qualities of gentleness, softness, light, spirit, gliding and expansion bless you this week. May you feel the presence of the spiritual realm guiding you, watching over you and protecting you. May the hawk feather remind you that you have the strength to conquer any challenges that come your way. May you see things from a higher vantage point, sharpen your vision and have the clarity to make decisions with confidence. May you embody being as light as a feather. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode I acknowledge how helpful it is to remember and reignite some of the meaningful experiences we’ve had, even if life tends to tuck them away on a shelf. Being with my cousin and her husband last week, and their genuine interest in my June trip to Vietnam, I remembered and reignited a deeply moving experience I had. My visit to the Tu Hieu Temple where Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was ordained at the age of 16 and where he returned to for the last 8 years of his life, was recalled and honored.

I am so grateful to remember and reignite how important that visit to the temple was, what it felt like to be in the energetic presence of an Enlightened One. May you remember and reignite some of your meaningful experiences and delight in their richness. Checkout the links below for Thich Nhat Hanh’s website, his obituary and a list of his best-known books. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Blue Cliff Monastery
NY Times Obit

Best Known Books:
Being Peace
Peace Is Every Step
The Miracle of Mindfulness
The Art of Power
True Love
Anger

On this week’s episode, I share my vision of what heaven entails and the magnificent glimpse of heaven I experienced at my niece’s wedding last week. The couple’s radiance of love, compassion, mindfulness and integrity raised the vibration for us all to break down the illusion of separation and show up with our best selves. This incredible couple, how they live their lives and their inspiring circle of friends, truly enlightened me. My soul was refreshed and nourished and I was infused with more hope than I have felt in a long time. I hope you, too, are enjoying some glimpses of heaven. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode I revisit the power of humility. I had chosen the word HUMILITY for my word of 2025 and as we enter the 8th month of the year, it continues to be exactly the word I needed. Humility can be applied in any situation - casual interactions and intense interactions. Humility can be used for our own self talk or the way we approach people and situations.

It’s humbling to recognize that I am only in charge of my own life. Humility helps me be honest about my strengths and weaknesses. Humility gives me the patience to listen to others, admit my mistakes, demonstrate empathy, remain curious and be of benefit to others. What a wise, important teacher humility is! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I honor Joanna Macy, PH.D, author, teacher, a scholar of Buddhism, systems thinking and deep ecology. Joanna died last week at the age of 96, and I trust that her respected voice in movements for peace, justice and ecology will live on in my heart and in the world.

Whether you know her rich contribution to our consciousness or she is new to you, I invite you to learn about Joanna Macy. See how she might touch your heart and inspire you to awaken, stretch, and live more fully. Check out the show notes for links to her website, interviews and books. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Joanna's Website
Vimeo Interview
NY Times
On Being
Old Dog Documentaries
Enlighten Podcast with Anne Macksoud

On this week’s episode, the word that stands out from my 3 weeks away is KINDNESS. There were so many random acts of kindness that I experienced while traveling in Vietnam and Bali, from people I know and cherish, as well as from strangers. So today I pause, reflect and absorb how powerful it is to receive and give kindness.

Our small acts of kindness are often returned with humility, gratitude and graciousness. Kindness generates more kindness. May you offer kindness to anyone you come in contact with. May you receive the gift of kindness, even from unexpected places. May the kindness we exchange be like the concentric circles when a pebble drops into the water, rippling out wider and wider into the world. May kindness prevail. Enjoy the podcast!