Courage | Curiosity | Creativity
Notes and Musings from Dr Judy Brown and guests writers circling the topics of leadership, stewardship, poetry, creativity, diversity, dialogue and appreciative inquiry and renewal.
I am drawn to the poem Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye as it reminds me of the notion of what it means to 'carry' another. It speaks to the deep connection we have when caring for someone.
Read MoreI realize I am more likely to be orienting to my true north when I take time to breathe, to step back from my sense of rush and urgency, and to consider a long view of what seems like a momentary crisis. To step back and check my compass rather than racing by my clock.
Read MoreGifts have been on my mind--both literal giving and receiving but, also natural gifts that we share with the world in a sometimes less obvious way. I am reminded of Michael Jr's Know Your Why and share that video below. I also, share a video of my thoughts on what this means for me and a story of a gift that was given to me.
Read MoreSometimes songs go through my head. And stay around, circle around, repeating themselves. Sometimes it's just the melody, and I can't even recall the lyrics. I end up having to hum whatever it is to my musically talented husband. And he comes up with the name of the song, and searches out the lyrics.
I've learned over time to pay attention to those lyrics, just as I have learned to pay attention to a line of poetry that circles around in my mind. To take the words seriously. To mull them over. To be curious about what they might have to teach me. Now.
Read MoreDeepak Chopra said that what we call coincidence is a sign of being "on path." If so, this is a story about path.
Read MoreHere are questions that occur to me after sitting with this morning's poem.
1) life has its ups and downs. Am I able to see the darker seasons as a natural consequence of changes in the "weather" of my life?
2) the Quaker tradition talks of the Light within, that of the Divine within. Whatever my spiritual tradition, Am I able to sustain access to that Light?
I love this season of the transformation of trees. They go through remarkable changes. This picture of River Tree (I have named her that) reminds me of the transformation and how unpredictable is the unfolding of things. River Tree could be described as the offshoot of a tree long gone, that has grown over the creek, and looks most days as if it is about to fall in the water. But never does. Some limbs are leafy. Some bare. The trunk has shoots growing straight up--suckers are what tree people call them. Usually they get trimmed off. But not with River Tree. She is this wild mix of limbs and shoots and sprouts. Hanging out over the water. Yet how powerful, how spectacular the effect of the light of sunset last night on this tree (however you want to think about the Light as a metaphor in our lives...).
Read MoreEvents in recent days--friends mourning losses of parents, conversations about living life to its fullest in the presence of health challenges, and conversations about end of life decisions--all bring back memories of my dad's passing, which I wrote about in my first book, The Choice.
That book was about Dad's decision to end his life with the help of Dr Kevorkian, a choice that my brother and I supported. But rereading the book now, I realize the book is also about the gift, as a daughter, of being included in the conversation about what Dad wanted--which was to die at home.
Read MoreI’ve made a commitment to travel lighter these days. Take with me only what I will really use. Still my suitcase is often heavier than it needs to be. Which means on most trips, I have to check a bag. Which is what put me at baggage claim at the Sacramento Airport last month. Gawking at a remarkable piece of public art: An enormous pillar of baggage.
Read MoreThe last note to friends was about PQ and CQ—passion quotient and curiosity quotient. The little furry caterpillar accompanying that note (he was on the table at lunch and I took his picture!) seemed to suggest nature’s version of curiosity. A living thing holding on to the edge of the table, still wiggling to see more, reaching further. Extending himself.
Read More©Judy Sorum Brown 2012. Website designed by Lisa Brookfield
