How we read and what we read is as important as ever. Bytes of information come at us through social media, emails, and news feeds. Our computer even knows what we read and often will send more information on those topics, filtering out that which does not conform to our confirmation biases, thus continuing to supply new evidence of our already held beliefs and eliminating new ideas, facts and information.

Certainly, there is a place for social media, news bytes, and fast consumption of information. It can be an avenue to ‘keep up’ with the latest news cycle, or what our friends are saying and doing. This kind of reading promotes our ability to rapidly scan topics and pick out what we are interested in. On the other hand, it does not necessarily promote contentment or deep understanding and in fact can contribute to dissatisfaction and discontent with one’s own life by comparing oneself with how others are superficially perceived. Rapid reading, scanning, and surface reading process words but not necessarily thier meaning.

Research has examined the benefits of digital reading versus reading on paper materials. Meta analyses conclude that comprehension may be somewhat diminished in digital reading, although it does not appear to be significant with the exception in young children. While digital reading encourages scanning and faster reading, it can be more prone to distractions due to interference with text messages, or app notices, etc. Whereas reading a handheld book stimulates areas in the brain that respond to the tactile sense of the weight of the book and the feel of turning the pages, thus facilitating deeper thought and memory.

Maryanne Wolf is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies how the brain processes written material. She developed the term, ‘deep reading’, which is the process of slow, deliberate, and intentional reading, allowing for genuine interpretation and long-term retention. This is what we do when we study material and take notes, underline, or highlight, intentionally studying the words trying to understand the meaning and retaining the information. I am reminded of the independent journalist, Catherine Herridge, who consistently publishes her primary sources with significant passages highlighted in various colors. Pen and paper are not necessary for deep reading although useful for students and some journalists. Deep reading is slow reading with the intent to digest, absorb, and retain the meaning. Deep reading may involve reading a section, and pausing to reflect on the what was just read before proceeding.

Readers who prefer digital reading point to the lack of storage space needed since their devices may store hundreds of articles and books. Some readers, bibliophiles, prefer holding books, and also enjoy the sight and touch of their books. Other readers who enjoy reading paper books, enjoy exchanging books with friends or family members, visiting libraries, or donating their books to charities.

One of our most famous American bibliophiles was Thomas Jefferson who sold 6,487 volumes of his personal library to the fledging Library of Congress in 1814, after the British had set it ablaze during the war of 1812. Jefferson’s collection expanded the breadth of the Library of Congress to include numerous topics and languages which previously had been mostly limited to legal and legislative topics. In 1815, Jefferson stated, “I cannot live without books” and in fact had already started rebuilding his collection. Unfortunately, another fire at the Library of Congress on Christmas Eve in 1851 destroyed much of the Jefferson original collection, however efforts are still ongoing to replace the original editions of those lost volumes. Jefferson’s collection can be seen in the Library of Congress today.

Jefferson Collection, Library of Congress, photo credit to author, March 2026

Like Jefferson, I too love being surrounded by books. In graduate school, I was often assigned a single chapter in a book. Dutifully, I would purchase the book, since this was prior to being able to download books digitally, and commit to reading the remainder of the book after graduate school. Of course, time after graduate school was as limited as during graduate school. Eventually, I boxed up many of those texts and donated them to a local graduate program hoping others would benefit from them. I admit to keeping some of the classic psychoanalytic texts and still enjoy occasionally referring to them.

Fitting regular exercise into our daily regimen is something many of us work to achieve, whereas setting aside time for deep reading may not be something we have ever considered important. Deep reading is educational, and contributes to personal growth and brain health. Choosing what to read is as important to our cognitive and emotional well-being as choosing what to eat is to our physical health. Deep reading contributes to a deeper understanding of ourselves in the world we live in, by helping us retain new information, broaden our perspectives, and opens us to alternatives ways of thinking. Deep reading is like slowly partaking in a delicious meal you have prepared versus eating fast food. Deep reading involves deliberately making the time to slowly digest the words and meaning the author conveys. It is an art form worthy or our attention.

Deep reading must be practiced and taught or it will atrophy and die. I was encouraged to learn recently that more schools are starting to teach cursive writing again. There was a time, not so long ago, when the only communication between friends and family was through the art of letter writing. Pride was taken not only in the beautiful cursive script but also in the ability to express one’s thoughts just as Joseph Addison so eloquently did in the 1700’s.

As Maryanne Wolf wrote in the Medium, “The study of the deep-reading brain is our newest canary in the mind’s mine. It teaches us that how we read will influence what we read and what we read will influence what we think, feel, and aspire to the good life - and how we define it.” The time is now to practice deep reading, to teach our children deep reading as well as how to discern what to read.

Although Buddhist monks normally do not accept gifts, as they deny materialistic comforts, they are dependent on the communities they are traveling through to provide their daily meal, sometimes lodging, and medical care. During warm weather some monks were walking barefooted. Today in the ice and snow in North Carolina, they are wearing boots, assumedly gifts from the community. Often police and deputies offer escort to assure safe journey through their community. Some officers have pinned their badges on the robe of their leader, Bhikkhu Pannakanna, not as a symbol of power or authority but rather as a symbol of great respect and united protector’s of peace.

Thousands are turning out to greet the monks on their journey, often lining the streets of their route or joining them before the sunrise for morning chants. Although I am told their pace is quite quick, some join behind the monks to walk with them in support of their efforts for peace. Onlookers give the monks flowers as gestures of respect and goodwill. The monks repeat the gesture by passing the flowers on to others along their way. Occasionally, the lead monk stops to tie a string bracelet on an onlooker who may be incapacitated or in a wheelchair while the other monks chant a blessing. The bracelet remains with the wearer as reminder of the compassion and loving kindness shown by the monks. Onlookers are often moved to tears as the presence of these simple monks is so profound and heartfelt.

Notable among the monks is Aloka, the stray dog who joined them on a long walk in India, and has since stayed with them at their side or sometimes even leading the way. In Buddhism, Aloka means enlightenment or insight. Aloka’s presence is steady, calm, protective, intentional and always aware of his surroundings. Generally, he emits a calm and quiet presence much like that of his monks, but occasionally he carries a strong voice. One morning standing in front of the monks while they chanted, he turned to the crowd of onlookers who were talking and he loudly barked at them, commanding them to be quiet and respectful. Aloka was born with a white heart-shaped patch on his forehead as if foreshadowing his future as a Buddhist canine monk carrying the message of love, compassion, and peace.

Walking for Peace is a long-standing global Buddhist tradition, especially in times of conflict, and war, bringing the message of hope, reconciliation, and peace. These monks are not walking for themselves. They are walking for us; to show us that a path of meditative peace, compassion and love is always a possible choice to make. During a time of division, darkness, chaos and inner conflict, these monks carry a light which beckons our hearts and souls to remind us to choose peace, compassion and loving kindness.

Should you desire to follow the monks on their Walk for Peace you may track them at any of these sites:

• Walk for Peace Facebook

• Walk for Peace Instagram

• Walk for Peace TikTok

• Aloka the Peace Dog Facebook

• Aloka the Peace Dog Instagram

• Aloka the Peace Dog TikTok

Although most of us do not live in the wild, unexpected challenges arise for which we may not prepared. These surprise predicaments can cause immediate physical symptoms in our biologic bodies, such as elevated heart rate, queasiness in our stomach, and an inability to think clearly, to name a few. Unprocessed and chronic fear can lead to more disabling physical symptoms such as increased risk for heart attack, gastrointestinal problems, immune dysfunction, chronic pain as well as psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors.

However, facing fear head on can have many positive outcomes including increased self-esteem and self-confidence. It can also lay the groundwork for new paths and opportunities that we may have been able to envision. First, we must recognize what the fear is by defining it and understanding the power it is holding over us. Unfolding the layers of fear promotes greater self understanding and promotes envisioning new paths forward which we may have been blinded to. If we imagine our greatest fear, we usually can see it is unlikely to happen, but even if it did, we can also imagine how we would face it. It is the not facing fear, and not dissecting fear that paralyzes us. This is what President Franklin Roosevelt meant when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Even recognizing and facing small daily fears and challenges promotes the confidence and ability to face the larger ones that are sure to come along. Doing something everyday that you don’t want to do but know would benefit you, makes it easier to do those things going forward. Joe Rogan says his “wimp-self” often wants to take over when he is about to take a cold plunge. Instead, he calls in his “General-self” who takes over and he plunges in.

Deep down we all have fears, even when our exterior life may seem comfortable. In fact, being comfortable may contribute to not taking the plunge and looking deeper at more unconscious blocks and fears. Try to imagine any unconscious barriers blocking you from reaching your greatest potential. For most of us they lie dormant inside. It is our choice to challenge ourself from the comfortable life, to call in our “General-self”, and challenge us to a more vibrant and rewarding life.

When I first heard the news of the unfolding tragedy, my brain and body went numb as I tried to process the words I was hearing. My immediate reaction is a normal response to trauma, shock, or tragedy. Sudden and dramatic shifts in reality require the brain to adapt to the emergence of cataclysmic changes in our normal and somewhat predictable daily life experiences.

In 1973 Dr. Robert Lifton, a psychiatrist and author presented a preliminary paper on the concept of ‘numbing’ as an omnipresent factor constituting consciousness. He proposed nine categories of numbing, ranging from acute closing off to the usual day-to-day numbing of adulthood. He believed cognitive and emotional numbing were intrinsically related.

In 1999 researcher Candace Pert published her fascinating book, “The Molecules of Emotion”. Based on her research she demonstrated how our thoughts produce chemicals in our brain which instantly transport to every cell in our body creating emotions. If you doubt this try saying to yourself, “I feel depressed!” You are likely to notice a slight down feeling. You can also try saying to yourself, “I feel happy!” Notice the difference? If so, you are recognizing the connection between how thoughts interact with your emotions via chemicals and neurotransmitters from your brain.

As previously reviewed, initial feelings of emotional and cognitive numbness are adaptive responses when attempting to understand the catastrophic nature of a tragedy being faced. After learning more of the details, the veil of sadness and grief set in for many. Grief is a deeply personal experience and unique to everyone. Although we are all familiar with the four stages of grief and mourning: denial, anger, depression, and eventually acceptance, these are not necessarily how grief is experienced. Some people may follow those phases quite neatly however, most will fluctuate and may go in and out of those phases. Some may not experience all of those phases of grief. Many other feelings arise with grief, loss and sorrow.

In 2007, Joan Didion wrote of the sudden death of her husband and constant companion of 40 years in “The Year of Magical Thinking”. Magical thinking is a psychiatric term referring to the belief that one’s thoughts can affect external events even without a rational connection, such as wearing a certain color when competing in a sport thinking that color will help you win. Ms. Didion’s raw and compelling description accounts her belief that her husband would suddenly walk through the door and put on the shoes she had laid out for him. Even though she struggled with “,,.the shallowness of sanity…” she eventually accepted his death.

Fear and anxiety are commonly wrapped into the mix of emotions after a tragedy. They are internal alarms that should be investigated. While some allow fear and anxiety to paralyze them, when investigated they offer direction from the questions they raise. Questions such as: ‘How can this be prevented in the future? What can we learn from this? Could this happen to me?’ Important decisions and actions will follow after thorough investigations to prevent such an event from happening again.

Feelings of hopelessness are also common emotional responses and can be channeled into meaningful action. George Henry Lewes, an English philosopher, is quoted as saying, “The only cure for grief is action.” Indeed, shortly after the devastating flood, long lines of traffic headed to the stricken area. Some of those were family and friends coming for their loved ones who had already been rescued, while others were volunteers wanting to assist in the search and rescue. Over 2,200 volunteers from numerous local, state, and federal agencies assisted in the search and rescue efforts.

While anger is a common phase of grief, not everyone will necesarily experience it. Anger is a common defense used to protect from deeper feelings of pain, loss, and sorrow. Some may feel justified in wanting to place blame however, it also can be a trap if allowed to fester for angry thoughts and feelings fuel each other. In fact, unchecked anger can destroy relationships, marriages and individuals.

When individuals are ready, finding meaning and hope in the face of loss provides a path toward healing. Some families have already channeled their sorrow into creating charities honoring the legacy of light their loved one brought into their world. Tragedies that bring national attention such as the Guadalupe River flow touch each of us, even though we may not have experienced a personal loss in the tragedy. Such events touch our hearts and compel us for deeper self-examination. We may remind ourself that each day is a precious gift and ask ourselves questions such as: “Where do I find meaning in my life? What is my purpose in being here on planet earth? How can I better help those around me? How can I bring light into my daily interactions with myself and others” We can always find light in the darkness if we look for it.

“It is in playing and only in playing that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.” Donald Winnicott

Although I frequent my favorite beach retreat throughout the year, it is unusual for me to spend a week here in the summer. Spring and fall trips find the beach emptied out as schools are in session and families tend to other activities. However, this week I find myself here at the beginning of summer amid families who have come to relax and play. In the morning the families tote their chairs, umbrellas, tents, coolers, towels and toys down to the beach in their beach wagons and set up for the day. The wide beach here allows for ample room for everyone especially at low tide which this week is around 3 PM.

This stretch of beach in north Florida and Daytona Beach are the only two beaches of which I am aware that still allow autos on the beach. This tradition started in 1903 when racing autos on the beach in Daytona became poplar although organized racing did not begin until 1936. The final NASCAR race on Daytona Beach was held in 1958 after which the Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959. However, the tradition of autos on the beach still lives, although not for racing. For safety reasons, autos must travel single file in one direction (to the south) in the ruts created by previous vehicles and must park on the dune side of the rutted tracks. Having beach access means families living nearby can drive over to the beach, spend the day, and return home in the late afternoon or whenever the summer afternoon thunderstorms roll in. Most family vehicles here are not the usual large SUVs, but more often pickup trucks that can hold several passengers.

While some might be opposed to having autos on the beach, I rather enjoy it; I suppose in part because it is what I have always known. My mother grew up in north
Florida and always brought us here to vacation. Sometimes when she and I drove alone to Florida, she would tell me stories about growing up here in the 1920’s. Her father owned an electrical company and would install small power plants that would generate electricity for the entire town. When the installation was complete, the family would move to the next town. Her father provided well enough for the family of five children that they owned several cars (yes, this was in the 1920’s!). Although roads at that time were mere ruts in the sand (such as the ruts on the beach today) my mother and her older sister would sometimes drive to Daytona to spend the day with friends. I loved hearing her stories. She always seemed happiest while at the beach, especially if the family was there. I suppose it connected her to her early childhood and the fun she enjoyed growing up here. Being here now connects me to her, in part because of the fact that she and my father left this beach retreat to us, and also because of the fun she brought to us.

This week I have particularly enjoyed watching families playing on the beach. Some play catch with baseballs, footballs, or kick soccer balls. Others set up courts for bocce ball, corn hole, or one family threw tennis balls into small beach pails. As the tennis ball landed in a pail, that pail was removed. The winner eliminated the most pails. (I admit I never saw a tennis ball land in a pail, although the pails were being eliminated so I assume the tennis balls reached their target.) Young children run with glee to the water’s edge to frolic in the waves or build sandcastles. Older children ride the waves on boogie boards or try their skills on surf boards, when the waves allow, or simply run along the water’s edge on skim boards. Older folks enjoy watching the children play while sheltering under their brightly colored tents, or like myself , enjoy basking in the sun’s rays while reading a favorite book.

The most striking commonality is everyone looks relaxed and happy. All seem to be enjoying themselves, no matter what they are doing. Donald Winnicott, a British Pediatrician, Psychiatrist, and Psychoanalyst believed that play allowed us to be one’s true self, to be authentic and to feel our genuine feelings. He noted that “playing requires trust’. Thus, play requires a relaxed ability to be vulnerable to the other and to trust . In play one finds one’s true inner self. The capacity for being one’s self is to feel truly alive, to laugh, to be spontaneous, and to be creative.

Thinking about play reminds me that the Dalai Lama has said the purpose in life is to be happy and that happiness is found in compassion. As he describes it, compassion is felt not only toward others but also to oneself. It seems that both Winnicott and the Dalai Lama are describing a similar space of kindness created within self that allows for compassion, happiness, and play to arise together. Winnicott described the healing presence in psychotherapy arises “…in the overlap of two areas of playing, that of the patient and that of the therapist.” Thus, playfulness in healing allows for mutuality and acceptance wherein the true self arises.

Although Winnicott defined play as an avenue for creativity, it is not the sole domain for creativity. For example, business often requires leaders to be innovative and to have creative ideas for challenges they face as well as to have the courage to implement those new ideas. A leader who is fearful of change and only wants to maintain the status quo, may find their business falling behind others who are more innovative and willing to take risks. Creativity is spontaneous. It can occur when alone in the shower or at play with others.

Watching people playing at the beach is joyful. We come here to rest our body and soul, to rejuvenate, to play, and to find our true inner selves. We need to relax, to laugh, to play, and to feel alive. It is not necessary to take a vacation to play. Playing is doing. Playing is allowing a space for joy and creativity. Playing can be done anywhere.

Dr. Donald Winnicott was a British Psychoanalyst who dedicated his career to developmental psychology with particular interest in early personality development and the fruition of a “true self’ rather than a “false self” (more on this in a future Substack). He focused on the relationship between the infant and mother as instrumental in healthy personality development and he is credited with coining the term “the holding environment”. In other words, the mother creates a safe environment for the infant through her loving care and attention, thus fostering the infant’s well-being. We can think of this as the mother swaddling her infant in her arms and reflecting her love to the infant through her face and eyes; thus soothing and nurturing her infant.

Recently my husband and I drove across the country to pick up a new Scottish terrier puppy whom we named Sophie. On our return trip, we spent the night in a hotel. The hotel room must have seemed like a large, vast space with no boundaries, as we knew she and her sister had mostly been raised in a pen, however Sophie soon found a corner space nestled between two arm chairs with a floor lamp. The floor lamp had a circular base which fit her small frame perfectly. She quickly adapted to this strange new hotel room and created her own little holding environment. It was a touching moment to see Sophie nestled in the circle of the floor lamp base, and served to punctuate for us what a tremendous shock and change this transition was for her. Interestingly, she is perhaps the most affectionate Scottie we have ever owned and found great comfort being held by either of us all of the 800 miles home. I can report she is now quite happy in her new home and holding environment.

Winnicott helped us understand the relationship between mother and infant as crucial to healthy personality development. Even as adults, we consciously and unconsciously seek a holding environment; a place of safety in which we are loved, appreciated, and accepted for our true authentic self. Depending on our level of development when we start seeking a partner, we may be harshly disappointed when the romance of ‘falling in love’, wears off, and we are faced with the fact that our ‘prince in shining armor’ falls off his horse. Through maturity, we understand that our partner will not be that loving reflection that we benefitted from in infancy. We will have disagreements, quarrels, conflicts, and misunderstandings, but ultimately we know this is the nature of true adult human relationships and we tolerate a certain degree of disharmony. We no longer expect or need our partner to fill all of our inadequacies and deficiencies, because we know that as humans none of us are perfect; neither our partner nor ourself. With maturity, we create our own holding environment within ourself, being patient, loving, and kind to ourself and others.

Last year, shortly after laying her eggs, our female Cardinal suddenly disappeared. I knew immediately this spelled disaster. Perhaps the nest had not been hidden deep enough into the cover of the leaves and a predator had taken her. I do not know. Whatever happened it was sudden and worrisome and I knew the eggs would never hatch. Every morning thereafter, even before the sun rose, I would hear the male Cardinal singing. At first, I loved hearing his song and I thanked him for greeting me each morning. Eventually, I realized he was calling to her; looking for her; almost desperately pleading for her return. This went on for a few weeks. Then as suddenly as his singing had started, it stopped. The morning I stepped out to silence, I knew he was gone. I missed him. I suppose he could not stay there without her and he went to look for a new home, maybe even a new partner, although that is unlikely since Cardinals generally mate for life.

I was saddened to think of him living out his life without her. We all yearn for that other who can fill our emptiness and who will always be there for us. Human relationships are very complicated. How do Cardinals do it? How do they stay together through cold harsh winters, build new nests each years, hatch eggs, and raise new broods, year after year? They both demonstrated great patience and commitment to one another. Our memories tend to be short. The male Cardinal did not have a short memory but rather held out hope for a few weeks that she would return. Does a Cardinal’s little heart feel love like our human hearts, or do they mate due to a genetic disposition to procreate or maybe both? Long human relationships have their ups and downs, perhaps like surviving cold harsh winters outdoors. I am impressed with the human qualities of commitment, tenacity, devotion, and seemingly love that my Cardinal couple showed.

Happily, I can report another male Cardinal has been regularly visiting our feeder this winter. On occasion, I have seen a female feeding there as well. I am hopeful they will make their home in our garden and I will be enjoying them and learning from them for years to come.

Saying “Happy Valentine’s Day” to people you encounter, even strangers, is like sending a sweet card that wafts through the air and reminds people that this is a day of love. You don’t have to have a special partner, be married, or other wise connected. You just have to be a human being, recognize the innate love in your heart, and be willing to say something from your heart. Love is indeed all around if we allow ourselves to know it, feel it, and express it. Paraphrasing Dr. Menninger, ‘love cures both the receiver and the giver’. Even small expressions of love can be healing. Valentine’s Day can stay with us throughout the year by remembering to spread what is innately inside our hearts, both by the giving and the receiving back of smiles in return.

Kinkaku-ji or Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto, Japan,

Photo credit to Alva McGovern, 2018

After an unexpected hiatus from my Substack writing, I struggled with the best way to resume writing. Some explanation other than ‘life happens’ was needed. Life does happen and we all learn to cope in different ways, so I knew the best way for me to resume writing was to share where I had been.

A fellow Substack writer who I admire recently posted a personal note about how he overcame anxiety and depression when he was a freshman in college and far away from home for the first time. Although the weekly sessions with a Psychiatrist were interesting, he really began to pull out of the darkness when he took up running. Recently, he found himself overwhelmed with stress and anxiety and realized it was time to start running again. As an aside, I know how beneficial it is to others when people in the public arena share their own experiences of overcoming depression and anxiety. Some years ago two prominent Atlanta businessmen made front-page news when they openly shared their struggles with depression. I had several male clients talk about how helpful it was to learn that such successful men could struggle with the same darkness they struggle with. The thread of commonality can be enormously healing.

I appreciate my friend’s openness and vulnerability expressed in his writing about his struggles and what he found helpful. Although depression and anxiety were not my particular issues, stress was indeed rampant over the past few months. Emergencies at home and within my family required increased responsibilities of me. Not only was I not enjoying a calmness of mind, there simply were not enough hours in the day for everything, and thus my creative outlets, including my writing, suffered.

When unexpected life crises come along, especially all at once, I resort to what I have suggested to clients, which is to tread water to keep my head above the water until the crises pass. Depression, anxiety, and stress can be like swimming in the ocean. A wave comes along, slams you down, and you get salt water and sand up your nose and in your mouth, and you come up gasping for breath. Then another wave comes along and slams you down again. Eventually, you learn to tread water over the wave until the wave sets you back down and your feet touch the ocean floor again.

I agree with my fellow Substack writer that running, or any vigorous exercise can be an essential component to returning to a healthy state of mind, however, sometimes we may need to initially tread water. While total stability may not have returned to my life’s circumstances, I can now see it in sight. Treading water helped me keep my head above water for the past several months. Now the waters are calmer and I am ready to swim again, and to do the things I love, including writing.

Over the music of the still trickling water on the video, I heard Dr. Means describing the human body not as a “thing” but rather as a process; a continual process of food entering our bodies, creating energy, and moving on through. By giving our body a wide variety of healthy foods, our cells function optimally creating the needed energy for a vibrant life. If however, we are feeding our body highly processed foods with added chemicals, our metabolism cannot function properly and eventually, we develop symptoms and disease.

As I continued to watch, I could feel my body in concert with the movement of the water and felt in tune with symphony she described. Allowing naturally nutritious foods into my body allowed my metabolic system to function at its best. I realized that emotions were quite similar. As humans, we all experience a wide range of emotions everyday including unpleasant ones. Emotions arise and like a wave can wash over and through us. However, if we hold onto emotions, especially negative emotions such as fear, anger, rage, or guilt, they become locked into our body and dysfunction eventually arises through symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorders. Repressing feelings may be an adaptive tool learned in childhood to help us survive an unpleasant environment or early traumatic experiences. However, a life long pattern of repressing feelings can lead to contamination within the body just as pollution contaminates a clear mountain stream or chemicals contaminate our metabolic system. Blocking and repressing emotions means we cannot connect with our authentic self, but rather we are always on guard and presenting a facade. Just as the body is a process of eating healthy food so to is it a process of learning to let waves of emotions wash over us, acknowledge them, and allow them to pass on. This is not ignoring emotions, but rather understanding that emotions are information signals to be taken in, evaluated, and then released. Once released, we can make rational decisions as to whether or not action is required. Often, we can release emotions and move on.

Having been born and raised in Florida during the early years of the last century, my mother’s stories of her childhood were captivating to me. There were no highways and roads were simply ruts cut deep into sand. No air conditioning meant respites by the ocean offered cool breezes and escape from the stifling heat inland. My grandfather was an electrical engineer who brought electricity to small towns across north Florida by installing their first power station. This meant the family moved frequently from town to town, as each project took about a year to install and to get running. It also meant that my grandfather provided well for his family, allowing the ownership of several vehicles. For my mother and her teenaged siblings, that meant they were often free to drive to Daytona for a day of fun in the sun and surf.

Like my mother, I was always drawn to water. Even before learning to swim, I am told I ran joyfully to a dark, deep, murky water hole somewhere in the Florida Keys and gleefully jumped in before anyone could stop me. I must have bobbed up quickly as my mother was able to jump in and save me. Years later while reading and keeping a watchful eye on my children playing in the surf, I suddenly glanced up to see my son’s panicked look on his face. Throwing down my book, visor, and sunglasses, I ran into the waves swimming toward my son. Although at the time I did not know to swim parallel to the shoreline, I knew the lifesaving technique of holding him across his chest with one arm while doing the sidestroke with the other arm. Using this method, we reached safety together. To this day, he clearly remembers the fear he felt of possibly being pulled into the adjacent jetty or swept out to sea. Thinking back on these occasions, I recognize the rhythm of life. As I was once saved in water by my mother, I was later able to save my child in water. Such is the karmic cycle of life.

Despite early traumatic experiences, my mother never feared the waves. During a high school day trip to the beach, a fellow classmate drowned. Of that tragic event, she told me the classmate had not learned to swim like she had, and had ventured out into the waves too far. My mother always had confidence in her ability in the water and she taught me not to be fearful, (although one might argue I never had been fearful due to my initial experience of jumping into deep water before learning to swim).

Once during a vacation together, my mother and I enjoyed late afternoon swims in the waves. One day, she was late coming out for our swim. When I asked what had kept her she responded, “Oh, I was reading a terrifying book about a shark that was attacking beach goers and I couldn’t put it down.” Mind you, we were swimming in the ocean as she tells me about this horrifying book. Naturally, I asked if having just read this, wasn’t she afraid to get in the water? “Oh no!”, she responded, “I have swum in the ocean all of my life and I am not going to stop now just because of some book!” Later, this book became not only a best-selling novel, but also the block-busting movie, “Jaws” terrifying many beach goers.

All these years later, I write these words in the place on the Florida beach near where my mother grew up and the place she left to her children. I come to the beach to nourish my soul. The rhythm of the wind and waves always brings a timeless solace. The sounds echo deep into my weary bones. The cadence of the rise and fall of the tides induces a natural tempo to life sometimes absent in the midst of chaos. When not reading or writing, I enjoy watching children playing in the sand, building sandcastles, and frolicking in the surf while adults play Bocce, fly kites and surf. We all come to relax and nourish our hungry souls, washing away our anxieties and alleviating our sufferings.

Sometimes, when clients suffer from bouts of depressive episodes, I use the analogy of swimming in the ocean. When the wave comes, it can knock you down. It might even slam you down onto the ocean floor where you get sand and water up your nose and into your mouth, sending you up, gasping for air. Sometimes the waves continue to come, slamming you down repeatedly. Eventually, you learn to tread water and rise with the wave until it passes and once again settles you back down where your feet can touch the bottom. Diving under the wave where the water remains calm and the turbulence is not so severe can also offer escape from the turbulence above. Such are the lessons of life, learning to tread water or bypassing underneath until the turbulence passes. In the storms of life, we know and trust the storm will pass if only we learn to tread through the turbulence.

The ocean saltwater teaches the natural rhythm of life, with its constant ebb and flow. When we resist, it pushes against us. When we learn to flow with it, we steer around the obstacles life presents. We learn to be like water, strong and making new pathways around and regardless of life’s barriers. We learn flexibility and the ability to forge new avenues when we flow like water.

Afghanistan was not alone in suffering such destruction of their culture. During the uprising of the Arab Spring in 2013, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo was attacked. Thanks to the heroic actions of Egyptologists, Archeologists, and Historians who rallied in the night to the museum, held hands and encircled the museum, they were able to save most of the artifacts inside.

To me these uprisings were foreign and could never happen here. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The death of George Floyd in the heated summer of 2020 sparked uprisings across the country including in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, Richmond and others. While causing chaos and destruction of private property, these protesters often attacked historic monuments. In 2020 alone, more than 90 Confederate monuments were removed. Not only were statues considered racist removed, but also statues considered ‘controversial’ were removed such as those of Christopher Columbus, Kit Carson, Francis Scott Key, and even Union General and later President Ulysses S. Grant.

Most recently in my own neighborhood, the central building of a private school which majestically overlooked a large public park was torn down despite an uproar from an alumni group and the community who wanted to restore it. It was built in the early 1900’s in the neoclassic Greek revival style with four white columns which the school has in fact used as its logo since it was established in the 1960’s. Originally it was used as an almshouse for poor whites while the white wooden structure next door now used as a county arts and crafts center, was used as an almshouse for poor African Americans. The school maintained the building was not safe and could not be renovated despite being shown plans drawn up by an alum who restores older buildings in New York and proposed it could be renovated for less than the plan to demolish and rebuild. Why destroy a beloved building? Why not work with the alumni and community? It is unknown whether its history from many decades past had some underlying impact on the decision. What is known is that immediately after the school’s proposal for their new construction was denied by both the Neighborhood Planning Unit-A (NPU-A) and the City Zoning Review Committee (CZRC), it was demolished.

Admittedly history is not always pretty. No history is clean of human error. However, even the Bible notes that if we don’t learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. Pretending something never happened is a recipe for future disaster. We must know our past and use it to guide our future.

When a new client comes seeking help, I always want to know about their past. What was their family like growing up? Who were the members of the family? What were the learned lessons, both conscious and unconscious? Without learning basic information about each client and what contributed in the past to seeking help for their current problem, I would only be putting a bandaid on their wound. Instead, by going deeper into their past, together we integrate their history into their current life to have a deeper understanding of how they ended up with their current problem and how to go forward with greater self-knowledge, awareness, and an increased capacity for greater satisfaction and joy.

Tolerance and understanding of our past is paramount in accepting our current experiences and moving forward. Of course there may be tragic mistakes in our past, both individually and culturally. How else can we avoid future mistakes without embracing the past and learning from it? Our roots run deep into the fabric of our being. It is essential to understand our origin to move forward with a positive plan for our future, otherwise we are like chaff blowing in the wind without roots to secure us in the storm.

Broadly speaking, neurodegenrative diseases fall into several categories including dementia-type disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, or temporal lobe dementia, and Parkinson-type disorders as well as others. Dementia-type disorders can cause memory loss, spatial confusion such as getting lost, difficulty with word retrieval, problems with planning, organizing, reasoning, poor coordination, disorientation, and behavioral changes. Parkinson-type disorders can cause damage in the brain that manages coordination and control of movements. Symptoms may include balance difficulties, tremors, shuffling steps, arms not swinging when walking, speech changes, and little or no facial expressions.

Aging is a primary cause of any of the neurodegenerative disorders, although many people age successfully without ever suffering from any of these symptoms. Other causes can include family history, exposure to pollution or toxins, diet, exercise, and even low Vitamin D levels. Research is being compiled on disorders caused by the MRNA COVID-19 ‘vaccine’ such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and peripheral neuropathies as well as other diseases.

Dr. Marc Siegel of Fox News pointed out the patient may not have any idea of how dysfunctional they are becoming. When my father first exhibited memory changes, he would laugh and say he had Alzheimer’s however, once the diagnosis was confirmed through a battery of tests, he denied having it. I can only imagine that it is too painful and frightening once faced with the actual diagnosis and its prognosis, so that detail can be a first defense.

My natural inclination was to protect my father and to help him navigate this horrifying disease in any way I could. Fortunately, my brother assisted in taking on the responsibilities, and making decisions regarding his care. After a fall while walking in his neighborhood, my father quit exercising for fear of taking another tumble. He knew he needed to move from the spacious home where he had lived with my deceased mother for many years and thus agreed to move to a retirement facility where he had friends from his church. Eventually, we had to hire personal care attendants, the first of whom he immediately “fired’. Once he realized he would not be allowed to stay there without assistance, he decided to get along with his personal care attendant and even occasionally called her by my mother’s name. I was grateful that he always recognized me and that we had enjoyable times when I visited, and sometimes read to him.

Although, in yesterday’s letter to the nation, President Biden did not state a reason for withdrawing his candidacy from the 2024 Presidential race, we have long been witness to his cognitive and physical decline. Forthcoming, there may even be questions regarding his ability to continue serving his current term as he himself admitted his best hours of each day are rather limited.

Throughout this period of decline, I have wondered where “Dr.” Jill Biden, his family, and his immediate staff are with this. One might surmise since the staff have a vested interest in keeping their jobs, have they contributed to keeping the President’s condition hidden? What about his family? Do they want to ‘protect’ him by keeping his condition hidden? It is well known that after President Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in September 1919, Mrs. Edith Wilson effectively pre-screened all matters of state, and took over many routine matters and details (at a minimum).

While we may never know the exact details behind the closed doors of the current White House, it has been a long time coming. My hope is that President Biden may leave office and retire to his home at Rehoboth Beach surrounded by family and loved ones, as it should be for all who suffer from such a fate.

Those words written by Thomas Jefferson on November 29, 1775, express the deep loyalty felt by the Colonists and their changing mood after Parliament started taxing the Colonies to pay off Great Britain’s debts. The first taxation came in 1765 with the Stamp Act followed by the Townshend Act, and the Tea Act. The Colonists felt deeply betrayed by being taxed by Parliament without representation in the British government. Rebellions occured such as the Boston Tea Party of 1773 during which Colonists dumped ships’ cargoes of tea into Boston Harbor. This was followed by the Philadelphia Tea Party where Colonists refused to unload ships but rather, turned them back around to return to Great Britain with full cargo.

As a retort to the insubordinate Colonists, the British Navy implemented a blockade of Boston Harbor and Parliament passed the punitive Intolerable Acts. These tariffs prompted the Colonists to send representatives to the First Continental Congress in September, 1774. There it was agreed that all of the Colonies should boycott goods from Great Britain, and foreseeing war looming on the horizon, each colony was to train their own militia. In addition, still wanting to negotiate, they sent The Olive Branch Petition to King George identifying their grievances and asking him to repeal what had become known as The Coercive Acts. Not only were the tariffs not repealed but skirmishes broke out between the British Military and the Colonists. The first of these was the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 29, 1775.

The Second Continental Congress then convened on May 10, 1775. Their purpose was multilayered: to formulate a formal declaration of independence; to compose an army and to orchestrate a military response; and to frame a government acceptable to all thirteen Colonies. The tasks were formidable however, our budding nation had the good fortune of having many men devoted to justice, liberty, and as Abraham Lincoln was later to say a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. George Washington, later to become our first President, was voted to be the Commanding General of the Continental Army. Thomas Jefferson, later to be our third President, was assigned the task of drafting a declaration of independence, which he did mostly in isolation from June11-June 28. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, proposed the Lee Resolution calling for independence from Great Britain. The resolution was adopted on July 2, 1776, prompting John Adams, our second President, to write to his wife Abigail, that the day should be celebrated with “Pomp and parade, with shews, and games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward and forever more.” In the meantime, the wording of the Jefferson document was being refined and revised with the Congress finally adopting it on July 4, 1776, thus becoming our Declaration of Independence.

Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of a long and bloody struggle. It was not until seven years later that Great Britain granted the United States full independence at the signing of the Treaty of Paris (with France having been neutral during the war) on September 3, 1783. After being granted independence, many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were busy designing and authoring the Constitution which was ratified on June 21, 1788. During this time, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were political rivals, with Adams advocating for a strong Federal government while Jefferson advocated for more states’ rights. Eventually, six years after being granted independence, George Washington was inaugurated as our first President on April 30, 1789.

Despite having been fierce rivals, after some time, Adams and Jefferson developed a lasting friendship and wrote over 300 letters to one another during their final years. Quite coincidentally, they were two of the last survivors of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, they both died exactly 50 years to the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1823. Famously John Adams final words spoken were, “Jefferson survives”. Unbeknownst to Adams, Jefferson had died only a few hours before.

The lives our Founding Fathers, their devotion to liberty, and justice, and the birth of our great nation is indeed a day to be celebrated. And so today, with great pomp and circumstance as Adams had accurately foreseen, we celebrate the birth of our great nation with picnics, family barbecues, sporting events, parades, music, and lots of illuminating fireworks! Let the celebration begin!

The garden reminds me of my past devotion in building the stone garden from a patch of Georgia red clay, first adding the Monk statues, then the tumbling rocks, a small bird bath, painted ferns and eventually the spreading moss joined in. The moss garden connects me to my future enjoyment of seeing the moss happily expanding its territory without its deep-rooted gatecrashers. Perhaps most notable today is that the moss garden, as do all gardens, brings me into the present, away from the rapidly moving world outside its perimeter. The exquisite beauty of moss invites us to be present to admire its ability to thrive, even when neglected as my garden has been. It will spring back to life even after years of neglect when it is once again watered. When the heat of the day requires me to return inside to air conditioning, my final task and reward for the morning’s work is watering the newly freed moss and noting the deeper green it turns as it drinks in the water.

The Japanese highly value moss and lichen creeping along stones, boulders, pathways, and peeking between the ferns. Their gardens bestow a deep sense of serenity, balance, and tranquility. Their culture too shows an inherent respect for tradition, with hostesses offering snacks on bullet trains while wearing white gloves and neatly-dressed, courteous rush-hour workers politely cramming themselves into waiting train cars.

The proverb that ‘the rolling stone gathers no moss’, is often translated by Americans as a need to keep moving, don’t pause too long, and certainly not long enough to experience the beauty of moss beneath our feet. In fact, today’s society moves so fast, it can be difficult to maintain balance. Seldom do we pause long enough to relish the elegant landscape around us. Even without your own personal garden, quiet moments can be found in the early morning hours or the waning hours of the day in parks and nature reserves.

Constantly moving from one place to another, or roaming from one person to another empties our reservoir. Quiet moments with nature brings us back to our own true essence. Unless we are comfortable within ourselves, it is an arduous task to be intimate with another. It is often too easy to place our faults on the other, failing to acknowledge not only our own faults but also our own true beauty hidden beneath layers of self denial. The nature of moss brings us back to the elegance within, and the elegance of attachments, particularly those that are long lasting, and the enriching nurturance and abundance they provide. Just as the moss can be revived with water so too can our relationships with ourself and others be revived with thoughtful attention.

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Instead of arriving early to start his pre-tournament routine, Scheffler found himself sitting in a jail cell, not knowing what to expect. He had no watch or telephone but he could see himself being arrested on a television in the jail. He also learned on the television the starting time had been delayed although in the confusion, he could not remember when his starting time was. He used the time in the jail cell to do what he normally would do, he started stretching, trying to calm his heart rate and body, which had been shaking since the arrest. He was released from the jail less than an hour before his tee time.

After his outstanding round of 5 under-par Scheffler spoke with the press. Although he could not discuss the facts of the incident, he first gave his condolences to the family of Mr. Miller, the spectator who had died so suddenly and tragically earlier in the morning. He then gave full credit and appreciation to the police officers at the scene and to all officers who daily serve our country to protect our nation. He said that after the arrest he was in shock and trembling while trying to understand the events. He commented that the officer who drove him to the jail tried to help calm him and Scheffler even asked him to stay with him for a brief period. He said that he never considered not playing and only wanted to make his tee time.

During the entire event of his arrest, which was captured on film, Scheffler never showed anger and never lost his cool demeanor. Nor did he blame anyone, but rather said it was a chaotic scene and entirely a misunderstanding. His composure throughout the day was commendable. He was able to go on and perform at the extraordinary level to which we are so accustomed. After the round, he immediately thought of and spoke compassionately to the family who had just tragically lost their loved one. Then he gratefully acknowledged the job of our police officers and his appreciation for them . His maturity and grace shown under such stressful circumstance (at the relatively young age of 27) is remarkable and commendable. He is truly a great role model for all.

The PGA has faced challenges since the Premier Golf League announced in 2019 their intentions to form a separate tour, later becoming LIV Golf Investments, formed and financed by Golf Saudi, a division of the Public Investment Fund. Soon after launching in October 2021, LIV along with its CEO, Greg Norman, attracted many of the highest ranked golfers in the world including a long time fan favorite, Phil Mickelson. During these early stages, PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, announced that any player choosing to play in the new league would be barred from future PGA events, creating a huge rift among players and fans. Eventually, Mr. Monahan announced a proposed merger with LIV Golf, again a jolt to those players who had stayed loyal to the PGA and were not informed of any potential merger. In the meantime, the PGA has since finalized a much-needed financial boost through a $3 billion deal with Strategic Sports Group.

Throughout these talks of mergers and financial discussions, the PGA has needed not only a financial boost, but also a morale booster. Perhaps, Scottie Scheffler is just that boost. Obviously, he is a superstar athlete, not the likes of which we have seen since Tiger’s early days. He won 75 times on the PGA Junior Circuit (ages 13 and under). He won the 2014 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship (ages 19 and under), and was the top ranked Junior Amateur in 2014. As a 17-year-old amateur, his PGA debut was at The Byron Nelson Championship. With his sister caddying, he finished 4-under-par, in a tie for 22nd overall, but was unable to take home the earnings due to his amateur status. He continued success at the University of Texas where he helped his team win three Big 12 Championships, and played in the U.S. team that won the 2017 Walker Cup. After graduating with a degree in finance in 2018, he earned his 2019 Web.com card through qualifying school. In 2019, he became the PGA Rookie of the Year with numerous more success along the way.

So you might ask, ‘What kind of man is Scottie?’ His father once said to him, '“No matter how good a golfer you are, always remember, you are a better man!” At the press conference after his recent win at the Masters, he said he loved golf, but the most important thing on his mind was getting home to his wife who is expecting their first child imminently. In fact, prior to the tournament, he said that if his wife called saying she was in labor, he would drop out to rush home to be with her. He told the press that his parents loved he and his sisters so much that he was sure they would have laid down their lives for him or any of his three sisters, as they loved them so much. He was looking forward to experiencing the same love for his child that his parents felt for him.

As important as family is to Scottie, so is his Christian faith. He chose his caddie, Ted Scott who had caddied for Bubba Watson for 15 years, for his Christian faith. He said he wanted to work with someone who tried to lead his life with those same Christian convictions as he tries to lead his own life. They both attend Bible study together.

Scottie and his wife, Meredith, were high school sweethearts and married in 2020. He spoke with her briefly on the morning of his final round of this year’s Masters Tournament. She told him she was praying for him to remain steady and calm during his final round. Watching him play that day, and really most days, he almost always appears steady and calm.

Golf is an interesting sport and highly competitive. You are out there on your own. Yes, you hear golfers talk about and give credit to their “team”, i.e. their caddie, swing coach, sports psychologist, etc., but it is hard to be consistently successful without inner stability. Scottie has launched a tremendous career. He has demonstrated stability, confidence, and the capacity to remain calm in an ever-changing profession. He appears psychologically and spiritually stable with a strong friend and family support group behind him. We hope to follow him through many more successes on and off the golf course.

The geometric alignment of the sun, moon, and earth seemed orchestrated with such perfection that it was truly inspirational. According to the Institute of Physics, the moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, and it is about 400 times closer to earth than the sun. Thus, as the moon passes between the earth and sun, the two appear to be almost the exact same size. Two conical shadows are cast upon earth during a solar eclipse. The umbra is the narrower shadow, popularly called the “Path of Totality”, during which total darkness is experienced for about four minutes. During that time, some viewers reported seeing the planets, even Venus, colorful lights, and the sun’s outer atmosphere or corona which normally is too dim to see when the solar disk is not covered. The penumbra is the lighter shadow cast across a much wider swath and created when the moon blocks the sun only partially.

Unless we are astrologers or astronomers, most of us go through our daily business not paying particular attention to the rise and fall or the sun or the monthly rotation of the moon. This week’s eclipse seemed to grab the attention of the entire nation. As it passed over a central portion of the country, we collectively connected to our outer cosmos, either by watching outside or following it on television or the internet. Our ancestors lived by the rhythm of the stars, moon, and sky while we only occasionally notice their magnitude. This week’s eclipse brought us united in the beauty of it, even if only for a brief afternoon, it was a union of awe.

Some believe solar eclipses are spiritual events offering an opportunity for balancing our inner self, or light, with the outer physical world. The darkness represents letting go of old, worn parts of ourselves while the light represents a rebirth.

Physicists speak of a consciousness of the universe and the magical dance of the sun, planets, and their moons all in perfect coordination with their orbits. This week’s solar eclipse was a powerful display of that cosmic dance made especially meaningful that it was a shared, uplifting, national experience.