The Shared Journey

Category: Wednesday’s Wisdom

The Last Wave. Goodbye Loved One

Dear TSJ Friends, It is a sunny Wednesday afternoon and I am sitting on our back patio where my muse (Solomon) and I are thinking about life, love and loss and how these things sometimes come in waves but can bring new graces (divine interventions) in our lives.   And from your emails of late I am seeing many, many of you are experiencing some challenging times. Rest assured you are part of a community of people of big hearts and equally courageous spirits.  You shine the light in the darkness for me when you write. So, I wonder . .

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Tears:  from “Wasabi” Tears to “Was Sobbing” Tears

Dear TSJ Friends,  Have you gone through some tough times lately when you either found yourself crying or trying to withhold tears? Sometimes tears seem to flow easily and other times we feel numb and cannot cry. That is okay.  But today I am sharing the value of tears. And I have a question for you to ask when tears come (your own or a loved one):                   “If your tears could talk what would they say?”   I am an experienced weeper.  As a child in school I cried every time anyone got

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Shepherding Takes Courage and Wisdom

Dear TSJ Friends, I thought we might do something different today just for fun as a way to catch you up on things behind the scenes at TSJ headquarter. I am going to let my muse Solomon write today’s letter.   He has been feeling neglected lately and he would like to tell you about it.  I agreed to take his dictation with as little interference from me as I can manage.  I wonder… what does he want to tell you?   HI TO ALL TSJ “ PEEPS” –    IT IS ME – SOLOMON I think I am your favorite sheep. 

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Russell’s Birthday & How Life Can Change in a Flash…

  Greetings TSJ Friends, (This is a letter for my children and nieces and nephews. As my Wednesday Wisdom readers, I decided to share it with you for a peek into a regular family – willing to share our loves and losses.)   Dear “Kids,” I know that you are all into your careers and are too old to be called “kids,” but this is a look in the rear view mirror at your “Grampy,” our dad.   You see, fifty years ago today was dad’s last birthday.  He was 52. We didn’t know it would be his last birthday on that

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Pleasing People vs Being a People-Pleaser

Dear TSJ Friends, (Please click on the green header for the most recently edited and readable version.) I confess I am guilty.  I can finally admit I am a chronic people-pleaser. Solomon, my muse and source of wisdom, looked up all the information I am sharing here today and says, “Yes, it looks like you are prone to be a people-pleaser, but do not get discouraged. You really do love seeing people happy.” Truthfully, I don’t like the word,  “chronic” because it sounds like an illness.  And pleasing people is basically about kindness, which is a good thing, isn’t it?

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For The Love of Laughter

(Reminder: click on the green header for an ease if reading on your devices.) Dear TSJ Friends, Today I am writing a fun letter about laughing.  I hope it brings you a light spirit. It takes me back to a happy memory from my youth thinking about how much my parents enjoyed reading “Laughter is the Best Medicine” in the Reader’s Digest which they kept for bathroom reading. A Shift in Mindset  It all started a couple of weeks ago when John and I were taking our routine walk. As we walked along the roadside, we came upon several people

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If I Am Growing Upward, How Do I Avoid Spiraling Down?

Happy Wednesday TSJ Friends, I am so excited to write to you today! I love thinking and learning about theories regarding human development. But I also realize life is more than theories and we often need practical and useable stories to learn from each other. And while I am talking about growth as being an upward spiral, we most often need help learning how to stop spiraling down into our “rabbit holes” of disempowering thoughts that lead to discouragement.. Being a parent highlights the complexities of personal growth. A helpful strategy toward avoiding –  or at least interrupting – a downward

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Growing Up and Older! – Changing Perspectives on Parenting and Personal Growth

(Remember to click on the green header for a reader friendly format on your devices!) Dear TSJ Friends,   I am excited to start sharing my journey of growing older! It is inspired by working on my own life story But today is an introduction:  a) Understanding human development using  a theory of spiral dynamics and b) Learning through parenting. As parents, Wisdom learned is wisdom earned! Do you agree?   PARENTING: Changes us      Like most of you, I am a parent.       Like some of you, I am also a grandparent.        Like all of you, I

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A Short Reflection On Nature and Purpose-full Hope

Dear TSJ Friends, (Please remember if reading this on your phones click on the top green header for ease of reading!) Even though this is going to arrive too late in the day for Wednesday words of wisdom to propel you into  this day, rest assured Solomon has been working happily here in our TSJ office to get me to at least peek in to share our thoughts of hope.  But first you may like to know I am working on a series of blogs I think you will enjoy on Growing Older (we all are) and the Gifts of Aging. 

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Are You Glad You Did or . . . Wish You Had?

Dear TSJ Fellow “Peeps,” I hope you are in a good space today.  We all need encouragement on our journey. I am excited about writing about my little self imposed adventure that seems to have set in motion some momentum for change!    I had been thinking about a couple of questions I think could help us all jumpstart our emotional batteries, like jumper cables on a car. They are:                “Are you glad you did?” and/or  “Do you wish you had?”   Each can be informative. And fun to try, especially if you feel

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