waiting in hope

Aslan, the strong and noble lion, waits in anticipation at the gate. Inside, he will meet Father Christmas, and together they help the children of Narnia.




...another metaphor for waiting in hope: lighting the candle for the first week of Advent.

the slippery slope

Flying down that slippery slope from Thanksgiving to Christmas! That hectic, harried time of year!


Nature was just showing us the splendor of autumn, and tomorrow begins the first week of Advent. As we light the purple candle, we think of Hope--hope in the sense of expectation, awaiting the arrival of our hearts' Christ, our spiritual selves.


While we are waiting, we can slow down and allow ourselves to live in the present, a Zen moment of mindfulness.

Happy Thanksgiving

What have we learned from the Native Americans? To live in the present, to be grateful, to be eco-friendly.

the Spirit of Native Americans

The Native American genetic code exists today.


The sound of the flute still reminds us of spring, and the spirit of Kokopelli sings to us.


We then saw the summer moon and the image of the proud, powerful Comanche, Quanah Parker. His mother was a European pioneer who lived among the Native Americans and learned their ways.


There is a hotel in northern California called the Gaia. The rooms are placed in a circle--like Gaia, mother earth--and like a Native American village. The center is green, the color of life, and in it is a firepit to release our prayers and show the way. Each room is named after something in nature: a bird, a mountain, running water.


The turning leaves tell us it is autumn. One of the first Native Americans known to the pioneers was Squanto. He had inherent knowledge about feeding himself and his soul. He believed in showing kindness to others, such as the Pilgrims. Thus, it is to Squanto that we express gratitude this Thanksgiving.