This is our country. It is a land where hope and faith in tomorrow have forged a unique system of democracy which always looks forward.

We who believe in freedom cannot rest

When we begin to embrace the sacredness of every person-to-person encounter as a kind of holy meeting, relationships become irresistible.

Life is all about participating fully.

We are finding our way home in all of our actions, all of our choices and all of our wanderings.

Opioids are responsible for one in five deaths for young adults. We have to do something.

Dad fought the good fight. Whether our fathers lived up to our expectations or not, perhaps that is the best gift they can give us.

I have learned that forgiveness is a key to happiness. I must offer it to everyone in order to be free from resentments. This letting go of resentment has proven to be a touchstone of life.

We feel like giving in or giving up. But if we ask for help and get back up we will find that there are always resources enough to carry on.

Trauma seems to be everywhere. Of course, it is. And it always has been. But with our increased awareness of the pervasiveness of trauma and our collective brokenness, a gentle revolution has evolved.

“Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.” ~ Robert Francis Kennedy

We must understand that these children in our juvenile justice system and those detained at our border are always suffering from the effects of serious trauma. My worries have intensified because we are exacerbating this trauma by the way we are treating our most vulnerable.

Cheerful people leave a lasting impact. The joy, mirth and laughter that follow a cheerful soul bring gifts of optimism and a sort of sunrise to the spirit of others. We have a choice. We can be determined to be cheerful or we can be restrained, unremarkable and boring.

The work of healing cannot begin until we find it in our hearts to let go. Family is a gift presented to us by a loving God.

I encourage everyone to spend some time at family gatherings this weekend to tell folks about your adventures and misadventures, to share your memories.

God is not a remote deity who waits grumpily on a throne of judgment to pounce on our wrongdoings and many sins.

There seems to be no doubt that loneliness is an epidemic, a contagion and one of the most serious health risks facing us today.

Work for happiness in all you do and say. You might be surprised as it abundantly rains down and all around as a result.