Without Context, Life Can Be Drastic

By Kathy Custren

Without context, our world loses much of its meaning. There are shades of nuance that exist throughout the vibrational spectrum, that lend added definition, and some may say dignity, to life. In the absence of these sprinklings of understanding, we lose empathy; hardened to only to the extremes of what we see and hear.

Before we react to words, in anger, frustration, or even haste, let us stop to consider that…

Writing on a Theme: Three for the Road Ahead

By Kathy Custren

Abstract: Three delayed writing prompts showed a concurrent theme. The combination produced helpful tips on using mindful choice on how to maneuver on the road ahead. Conscious living strategies for a more fulfilled and beautiful life.

It has been a very busy week, and there are more things to do on the road ahead. While the greater part of society…

Seeking New Boundaries - Is That Your No or Mine?

By Kathy Custren

So many of us seek to define new boundaries. It seems to happen all the time no matter how we define our world, or even our larger cosmic universe. When we get right down to the words we use in setting various boundaries, it can be very enlightening.

One of the first impressions of seeking new boundaries, to me, was in history class. Remember studying the great explorers who sailed on mighty vessels?…

The Message for 2017 is Balance and Harmony

By Kathy Custren

Balance and Harmony Take Center Stage in the Year Ahead

The message of cosmic consciousness intercepted is strong and focused when it comes to both balance and harmony for the year ahead. We are encouraged to keep this greater sense, this larger view, of balance and harmony at the forefront of everything we say and do. As we wonder why, the old Police song intones, “Every breath you…

The Most Accurate News You Can Trust

By Kathy Custren

Human Interest Relies on the Most Accurate News

As we meet the New Year 2017, so much of our attention is directed to the accuracy of the news we read, hear, and experience. For much of the last century, human interest has been drawn to the regular publication of news on which we can rely. First in print, then on television, we turn to the news media on a regular basis for the facts we need to thrive…

Standing in Solidarity with Standing Rock, by Kathy Custren

While many remain oblivious, there is a fair amount of coverage in the press and on social media about the group of Native Americas who are holding a peaceful protest at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Members of the Sioux, Lakota, and other First Nations tribal groups have joined in the thousands to protest the building of an oil pipeline in and through lands and territory adjacent to reservations. The…

When Can We List Ourselves as Endangered?

by Kathy Custren

When bees have reached the doomed designation of being on the endangered species list, does that not spell a certain kind of doom for humanity itself? All the earth science we are ever taught growing up teaches us that bees are the linchpin of our food chain. Without our delightfully buzzing friends that chain unravels. They are what work the whole pollination…

Happy 90th Birthday, "Thay!"

By Kathy Custren

"People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar." -Thich Nhat Hanh

Getting in Touch with Age is Not an Easy Thing

The celebrated Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, turns 90 years old on October 11, 2016. Born in Vietnam, this global spiritual leader and peace activist is an…

What Does It Take to Grow Your Tree?

By Kathy Custren

I have a confession to make, which may not come as a complete surprise: I am an old lady who likes trees. There, I've said it; and I feel better. Now, before I get the label of being either a hippie or a yokel, perhaps an explanation is in order. We can find a lot of wisdom in a tree, as you will see.

Know Your Tree - Beyond Image and Metaphor

When we look at a tree we may have a…

Are You "Trending Now" or "On Time?"

By Kathy Custren

So much of our tech-driven existence these days is aligned with topics that are 'of the moment,' or those that are 'trending now.' News lists from just about every social corner want to steer your attention to the most popular or trending subjects. -Forget about "that;" that is yesterday's news. What you want to…

Blue Lights and the Matters of Lives

By Kathy Custren  647 Words 

It has been a very difficult month, July 2016, for any life of color. Furthermore, if you happen to belong to the police or autism communities, for whom blue lights hold special significance, there is even more of an urgent connection. The annihilation of any life, or any person of difference, or any person who “makes a difference,” is never easy to understand or reconcile.

Since…

What Pulls You to Distraction?

By Kathy Custren 819 (H&H)

It seems no matter now much we try to stay focused on something, any one thing, our focus ends up being pulled by some type of distraction. From the time we open our sleep-laden eyes in the morning, we are met with birdsong and the sounds of the world around us coming back to life. Multiple distractions face us morning, noon, and night. Some of us may have even more than one preferred distraction.

We…

All the Way Bold—Yes, You Have Permission!

by Kathy Custren

Could it be that many of us are too fearful to be bold? “Are we allowed to do it,” we wonder to ourselves. What might it take to prompt us into taking action, when we might very well be surrounded by others just as stiff and silent?

“It is best to ask…

The world, myself included, mourns the passing of Prince Rogers Nelson, the brilliant musician, songwriter, and flamboyant performer, who graced our world with his presence for 57 years. Catching many of us off-guard, we share the same type of shock that came when we heard of other icons who are no long with us; so many in this year alone. 

The title says it all. Prince bared his body and soul to the world and his fans through his music. He brought "Controversy" early on in…

Passion – Not the Same as Compassion

by Kathy Custren

Passion and passionate energies bring a lot of our heart to whatever is done. By passion, we recognize that when we really love to do something—whether it is our vocation or a hobby—we bring our…

The Visual - Why Can We Not See? Good Question! [71]

by Kathy Custren

Why Can We Not See What is Right In Front of Us?

When it comes to all things visual, why is it that so many of us are unable to see? Why can we not see things that are right in front of us? While not everyone may be blessed with the gift of 'second sight,' is there a reason why so many of us deal with occlusion, where…

In Pursuit of Misbegotten Greatness

by Kathy Custren

It is an interesting, if not strange, time in which we live today. For as much as many of us educated or 'enlightened' beings are reminded about enjoying the here and now, perhaps there are as many…

Our “Real” Investment Return

by Kathy Custren

The words, “Return on Investment,” or ROI for short, have a deep meaning to those in business and who keep track on how “sound” an investment of money or services may be. “What's in it for me,” is another quasi-version of this same sentiment—that we have an expectation of seeing something positive as an end result or bottom line. Return on investment is seen as a tidy, logical,…

Ziggy Stardust is in the Firmament

by Kathy Custren

I watch the ripples change their size

But never leave the stream

Of warm impermanence…

Word Artistry: Get Out of the Gutter

by Kathy Custren

NOTES ON THE ART OF POETRY

I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on

in the world between the covers of books,

such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,

such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,

such and so many blinding bright lights,

splashing all over the pages

in a…