“No asking, demanding, proposing, arguing, pontificating, pleading, wishing, questioning, advising, admitting, conversing, interrupting, whistling, sighing, gesturing, singing, …no-thing. Just be in their presence when they need to lament, rejoice, regret, whisper, confess, offer, wonder, cry, share… Be a witness to another’s existence. Be a witness to their life experience. One day they will be a witness to yours, and you will be so grateful...

““As they watched the bright star shining over the city an angel came down from the sky and told the shepherds that the Son of God had been born in the city and they should go to him. The shepherds left their herds and came down from the hillside to find the newborn baby.” Find your baby; find your child and be at peace. Rejoice when you have found your peace: for it is a peace that passes all understanding which no one can take away from you.”...

“Writing this at midnight – rather unusual as bedtime usually happens two hours earlier. But then you may also have noticed and felt your hours shifting: up later or not wanting to get up at all; multitasking easily and quickly or unable to complete one task at all; energized one day and super tired the next. Trying to keep to a schedule has become challenging. In fact, forcing yourself to adhere to what you’ve always done may be a disservice....

“How unfortunate that we have been conditioned and culturally influenced to reinforce that we know everything – or just about everything when interacting with others. The idea of admitting not knowing can give you a feeling of weakness, vulnerability, inadequacy, naivety, even stupidity thanks to the idea that being perceived as all-knowing is a strength, a competitive edge in our society. In truth, knowing what you don’t know gives you entry...

“Do you have an ever-present quota running in your mind? This many steps to take, multiple errands to run, a few calls to make, two dozen cookies to bake, a driveway to shovel, a partner to speak to, a week’s bills to pay, … If you do, then move out of your mind into your heart where you’ll find there is no quota. Nothing to reach, solve, add, conclude, or question. Simply, a sanctuary of love where being is all it takes to arrive at rest:...

“Philosopher David Whyte describes friendship as “a mirror to presence and a testament to forgiveness. Friendship not only helps us see ourselves through another’s eyes but can be sustained over the years only with someone who has repeatedly forgiven us for our trespasses as we must find it in ourselves to forgive them in turn. A friend knows our difficulties and shadows and remains in sight, a companion to our vulnerabilities more than our...