Inner and Outer Freedom

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Inner and Outer Freedom

Today, we sing our praises as the "land of the free and the home of the brave.” I wonder though, is any freedom granted from without meaningful if we are not free within? And vice versa, how can we exercise our inner freedom if our outer freedom is severely suppressed?  This letter to my future self was written on November 9, 2016, after the unbelievable and shocking election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, and scheduled to be read on July 4, 2017. 

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Where Is My Muse?

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Where Is My Muse?

Sometimes, I feel that my writing misses the mark and that my poetry is mediocre at best. Though I keep the anxiety at a distance, I fear my muse is gone. The art and practice of writing challenges me to keep an open channel for inspiration while also sticking to a discipline of writing whether or not I feel inspired. What practice do you do daily whether or not you "feel" like doing it?

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A Man For All Seasons

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A Man For All Seasons

I have had lots of struggles with my body recently--back and knee pain  and I broke my arm while traveling in Japan. It is now in brace. Increasing and constant pain in my back and body has really been a daily challenge in the past several months. I work through it as best I can...and this letter is a reminder that I can be complete no matter what the circumstances...What keeps you intact despite the challenges of life? 

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Need For Belonging

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Need For Belonging

We rightly admire those who cut their own cloth. Such admiration, however, is misplaced when it extends to those who "stand their ground" by belittling, berating, and bullying others, those who use their power to squash anyone who opposes them or who stands up against them, or those who attack anyone who raises questions about the ethics of their behavior or the damaging impact of their words. 

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