Hope
New Blog Design is Now in Operation
This blog has now switched over to its updated design that will support it going forward.
Cornell 7 and Rape Culture (Bits and Clips)
A week ago I posted a sad poem about so many Jane Does as a response to the appalling news of the Cornell 7 gang rape of an unconscious girl. All week I have thought it was an insufficient response. Since then, I’ve seen more useful content that is worth sharing, and I didn’t want … Read more
Every Generation Thinks More Abstractly
The “Flynn effect” shows a pervasive increase of correct IQ test answers in each generation, and these gains occur everywhere, across various cultures and educational or economic opportunities. This has been tracked since World War I and has been documented in 30 countries. IQ gains are three points every ten years.
Neither Hot Nor Cold (Spiritual Short about Indifference)
We usually think of hate as the opposite of love, or fear as the opposite of love, but recently my sister mentioned indifference as the opposite of love.
Maximum Strength (Poem by Rosemerry Whatola Trommer)
Starting the long drive home, I do not turn on the radio to hear news of the broken world…
I Was Interviewed in this Magazine About Mental Health
I was interviewed by St. Louis’ Gateway to Dreams magazine Be the Change edition about a spiritual approach to mental health and healing.
Earth Day Thought from Ron Garan
After spending 178 days aboard the International Space Station, astronaut Ron Garan returned to Earth carrying something far heavier than space equipment or mission data.
Commemoration of Yom HaShoah
Commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust observance) matters because it forces Jews and Christians alike to confront what happens when hatred is allowed to grow unchecked and when human being stop seeing one another as bearers of dignity.
April Hope (New Poem by Polly Castor)
Devastation recedes as compassion surges, while blooms ever so silently unfold, unnoticeable, until flagrantly and gorgeously displayed.
Happy Easter 2026
May you have a blessed day, reassured, inspired, and filled with awe. May renewal be blooming right where you are!
A Blessing (by John O’Donohue)
May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
My Notes from the Better Together Conference
Non-violence in a love-centered way to thinking, acting and engaging that leads to personal, cultural, and societal transformation.
Principles of Nonviolence
Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. It is active nonviolent resistance to evil. It is assertive spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Polly Answers #18 (about what happens after death)
My first obvious thought is I don’t know any more than you do because I’ve never gone through it.
Lessons from Alysa Liu (Women’s Gold Medal Figure Skater 2026)
Alysa Liu opted out of pressuring herself in favor of feeling joy and having fun performing at the Olympics, and it totally worked for her. I find myself referring to her example this week when trying to help out stressed people.
What to Do in Darkness (New Poem by Polly Castor)
Don’t despair. Be more conscious and aware. Move carefully, cautiously.
Lean on each other…