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Hello Friends, This week, I'm thinking about scarcity and generosity and how those two things are often set up in opposition. That's partially true, of course. On the large scale, a lack of generosity creates scarcity, as wealth and resources are hoarded by a few. However, it is often those with the least who are the most generous of all. This is reflected in the old quip about poor people passing around the same twenty dollars. Sometimes one person's need is greater in the moment, and the other person has a bit more to spare. I'm thinking right now about my friends in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, dealing with hurricanes. I'm thinking about the people around the globe who don't have clean water, or ready access to food. I'm thinking about all of those impacted by missiles and bombs. You might be one of those people. I'm also thinking of the scores of people showing up to help, including some who barely have homes right now. You might be one of those people, too. The human impulse toward generosity is strong. Generosity is a form of deep caring. Generosity—sharing what we have—is a balm for heart and soul. Generosity connects us to the flow of creativity and life. When we unclench our hands and hearts, we connect. In my experience, that sense of connection always creates something worthwhile. The more centered I feel, the less anxious and in the grips of scarcity I feel. The more open I feel, the more generous I become. When I'm closed off from generosity, there is usually some underlying fear. How does that work in your life? What is your experience of tension and flow? What is your relationship to scarcity? What unlocks your generosity? And how does that make you feel? I'm talking the smallest acts of generosity: Holding a door for someone. Offering a listening ear. Buying someone lunch if you can afford it. Sharing skills or resources with neighbors and friends. This week, whether you are giving or receiving (or both!), I wish you some generosity, and a balm for your heart. Best wishes — Thorn News:For the month of October, 50% of proceeds from ThornCoyleBooks will go to hurricane relief. That includes my oracle deck and ebooks. Love cats in fiction? I'm part of a pay-what-you-can ebook bundle that starts at $5. A percentage goes to Best Friends Animal Society. There are ten books in this marvelous bundle: Cattitude StoryBundle
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Hello friends, This has felt like a hard week, globally. Even as I watch events unfold from our comfortable home, I feel the psychic and emotional pressure. People are in danger, including in my home communities. Despite my relative privilege, I’m in danger, too. I wanted to name this pressure, in case you also feel it. But, here’s the thing, unless we need to actively get loved ones to safety right now, we need to choose to feel these emotions, and then regulate ourselves as best we can....
Hello friends, There’s a question we likely hear all the time: “How are you?” Or “How you doing?” Or “You good?” Sometimes the question has meaning, but other times is just a series of polite noises, asked in public by someone we barely know. The intention behind the question depends on the tone in which it is spoken. Sometimes the question needs the conjugation of the verb “to be.” Other times, the verb gets dropped altogether, in a more casual rush. And here we are, back to tone, because...
Hello friends, The world is often filled with noise. What helps you listen? It took me many years to learn to listen deeply, instead of trying to anticipate. Trying to anticipate was my child-self’s way of keeping safe. Not that it always helped. Not when violent outbursts were random. But I tried anyway, baking that pattern into my body and mind. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t giving others a chance to really express themselves. I didn’t give myself a chance to express myself on a deeper...