River's Chi House

I have to admit that the last few days has been very difficult for me and my family. Our oldest son at fifteen wants the freedom of adulthood with none of the responsibilities that go with it. Or at least that is the way it seems to me at times. He has different thoughts and emotions about it. I know the reality is different from what my thoughts and emotions tell me but it is not easy to swim against the riptides of thoughts and emotions. And my inability to do what it takes consistently to deal with this in a good way is driving me a little crazy. OK a lot crazy. I have a temper and it has shown it's self more than is good for all of us. I am feeling the gap between my knowledge and my ability to do what I know. One minute I know what to do and do it. The next minute I blow up and make things worse. Shame and blame are spending a lot of time with anger and frustration in my mind/body. My Sufi soul laughs. It is an old story that anyone who has or has had teenagers understands I a...

In the old times before so called civilization covered us up in it's protective and restrictive forts and cages this time of year in the Northern Hemispheres was a time to huddle together and try to survive the cold dark winter. In those days there were always a very few people among the many tribes and clans who used this time to reflect on their lives and the lives of their people. They were the wise people and the shamans and the leaders who used this cold dark time to learn lessons from their past and to seek understanding for their future and the future of their people. I say this is still a good time of year to look at your life with fresh eyes. It is a good time to stand in front of a mirror both in real time and symbolically. Try letting go of your comfortable understanding of your self and your world. Dare to stand naked and fearless and alone with yourself. Look deeply, and for a long time, over many days, and see what you see and than look for what you do not want to see...