Volume 12, Issue 10 | October 2023

Hi!

These days it seems that when I think world situations cannot get any worse, something else happens. And, with all that is going on, no being on the planet can escape its impact is some way.

Off-the-charts warmth in the world’s oceans have set the stage for deadly storms, most recently Hurricane Otis, which slammed Acapulco. The U.S. House of Representatives was unable to conduct votes on legislation for 22 days for lack of a House Speaker; a House Speaker was finally chosen, but he is not a defender of democracy. The terrorist group Hamas made a horrific attack on Israel, and now there is full-blown war, with Palestinians caught in the middle. The Lewiston, Maine rampage was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. this year. The aforementioned are only just some of the mind-boggling and heart-jolting events of this one month alone! How much can one’s mind and heart take?!

When I can pause and look deeper at the chaos and violence in this world, I remember that there is only love, beneath it all, there is only love, for that is what each of us is. The anger and the violence stem from fear, projected onto others. The fear stems from believing that one’s needs will not be met. This applies to every human being—we are more alike than different.

At the bare minimum, we each have the same basic needs for food, water, clothing, and shelter. Then there’s safety, touch, medical care, etc. To truly thrive, each individual requires freedom to pursue happiness, equal treatment, the ability to creatively express themselves—the list goes on and on. The quality of our life is intertwined with our needs being met. This is true for all of us. These world events disrupt us all from pursuing the fulfillment of our needs, be they basic like food, or a higher level like education. These events impact one’s sense of security, peace, and well-being. And, they can easily cut us off from one another.

One thing we can each practice is being kind and compassionate to others; it can be as simple as holding the door open for someone, saying “Thank you,” or shining your smile (your light). It’s a start to getting people and the world back on an even keel, one small act at a time.

I strive to be introspective and conscious about my thoughts and actions, to contribute to the upliftment of this world, to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Of course, I do this imperfectly.

But as the Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller song states, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” Peace begins with me. Kindness begins with me. Love begins with me.

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Karen Drucker speaks and sings at New Thought churches, facilitates women’s retreats, gives keynote speeches at mind-body-health conferences, and produces her own inspirational songs. Her music is used for people going through cancer treatment and by workshop leaders and authors. I had the delight of catching Karen live in concert this past Saturday night at Centers for Spiritual Living—Prescott.

Karen grew up in Hollywood and a fun fact is that Carole King became a neighbor of hers and she became the baby-sitter for her two young children. One day she came home from school and Carole’s piano was in her bedroom because she was remodeling her house and needed a place to store it for a few months. That was Karen’s opening to pursuing her dream of being a singer/songwriter.

One of my favorite inspirational songs of Karen's is There is Only Love. It is a reassuring reminder for these times.

Enjoy!

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Blessings,

Spirituality

Love or Fear: Which Do You Choose?

Inspiration and Contemplation

Peace and Unmet Needs

Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD. (1934-2015) founded and was for many years the Director of Educational Services for the Center for Nonviolent Communication, an international peacemaking organization.

Growing up in a turbulent Detroit neighborhood, Dr. Rosenberg developed a keen interest in new forms of communication that would provide peaceful alternatives to the violence he encountered. His interest led to a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 1961, where he studied under Carl Rogers. His subsequent life experience and study of comparative religion motivated him to develop the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process.

The basics of Nonviolent Communication involve expressing ourselves with clarity, compassion, self-responsibility, empathy, and the common good in mind, which is the exact opposite of what violent communication is.

Visit www.nonviolentcommunication.com to learn more about Nonviolent Communication.

People Making a Difference

Touched with Love

In the following story, the author’s father obviously was filled with fear when it came to people of another skin color. The story illustrates the power of strength, courage, caring, and, of course, love.

Touched with Love

From HeroicStories.org

During the fall of 1982, my first year in college, my parents advertised in the local paper for a housekeeper and caregiver for my mother, who was a quadriplegic. The only respondent was an African American woman from the nearby community of Nicodemus, founded in the 1870s by former slaves known as Exodusters. When I learned my father had hired her, a large knot formed deep in my stomach.

Although my father had a great sense of humor and a huge heart, he was also a product of his white Anglo-Saxon Protestant Kansas upbringing — and a notorious bigot. I believed he would behave horribly to this woman. Memories flooded back: the gentleman who drove into our farm yard in the middle of summer with an overheating car and my father's cruel refusal to allow him any water. The racist comments Dad had made over the years, and so forth.

Shortly after Rosa started working for my parents, I telephoned home. When she answered, I introduced myself and asked to speak to my mother. Rosa replied, "I think she's out jogging." Fishlike, my mouth opened and closed until I heard her laugh.

Meeting her in person, I found a woman of...

Well, it's down to the wire, finishing up this newsletter on the last day—the last evening—of the month. And, it just so happens to be Halloween!

I hope you're finding some fun and joy this evening and getting some respite from the serious matters of the world.

Blessings,

Joyce S. Kaye, MSW

928.301.7292

joyce@thecomputerspirit.com

You, Me, and Spirit

I was a devout atheist until 33 years ago when I "came to believe" in a Power greater than myself. Thanks to hearing the novel idea (well, at least it was to me!) that one could choose their own concept of God—and name too (Spirit, The Great Mystery, All That Is, etc.)—and the workings of synchronicity, I embarked on a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way of being in the world and with others. It impacted all aspects of my life and relationships.

Since that time of commencing my conscious spiritual journey, I have endeavored to remember The Presence in all that is, all whom I meet, and all that I do—including working with clients in my own business, academia, and the corporate world. I strive to be of service and to nurture the human spirit in all environments.