The Power of Sacred Listening

Two women sitting on a bench talking to each other.

Sometimes, when we’re listening to someone who is confiding in us, they begin shutting down. They seem to know we are not truly tuned in, not exercising the power of sacred listening. Sacred listening has qualities that ordinary listening lacks and has three core elements: respecting people’s autonomy, respecting their emotions, and properly timing your…

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Design a New Future for Yourself

design a new future illustrated by an elderly artist

In the physical world, things have a past and a future, a beginning and an end. For example, I’m sitting on a chair in my office at my desk that I’ve had for more than fifty years. At some point, this chair was just an idea in someone’s head. They designed it, and then, it…

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Happier Life, Happier Ending

happier life happier ending illustrated by a spiritual energy image

If the story of your life were to be told someday many years from now, what would it be and how would it end? Would the ending be that you died peacefully in your sleep, at an advanced age? Would your last years not only be healthy but filled with loving friends and family, excitement,…

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Reclaim Your Vitality by Going into Nature

woman in field reclaim your vitality by going into nature

Being in nature reminds us that vitality involves creativity and change. In the woods or on a beach, you become aware that nature is continually reinventing and renewing itself. As you think about where your life has become boring or deadening, you might want to reclaim your vitality by going into nature. In natural outdoor…

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The Potential for Change in One Short Pause

"Pause" in sand illustrating the potential for change in one short pause

One short pause might hold potential for a big transformation. By not instantly reacting to a situation and instead, taking your time to be fully present with your feelings, you free yourself to shift perspective. That shift might be a profound one. If something doesn’t feel right, a short pause can help you recognize why.…

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Playing with Metaphors to Help You with Transformation

baker's hands kneading bread dough illustrating a metaphor to work with

Is your story not working for you? Does it seem to be influencing what you’re experiencing and causing you unhappiness? You can change your story–and your life. You might want to work with metaphors so transformation is easier for you. Play around with them to better understand what you have experienced and the different ways…

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Reflecting on The Necktie and The Jaguar

A book cover with mountains in the background.

What is the value of self-reflection? I have thought a lot about that lately as I’ve completed and just published my newest book The Necktie and The Jaguar: A Memoir to Help You Change Your Story and Find Fulfillment. It’s what I call an interactive memoir: In addition to writing my own story, I have…

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The Art of Listening

A woman in a suit and tie sitting down.

Hitchhiking across the U.S. as a young man, spending countless hours in strangers’ cars, I began to develop my listening skills. I heard stories of broken hearts and lessons learned. A Catholic priest shared his experiences of the religious life with me, and in my next ride, a Protestant minister shared his different perspective. The…

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When You Have Unfinished Business

A woman standing in front of the window with sun shining

If you were to take stock of your life, would you be uncomfortable with the amount of unfinished business you have? Maybe you meant to clear the air with someone or begin working toward a certain goal, but something always stopped you. Reflecting on unfinished business can help you to take actions that will tie…

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