There is no law against the spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Fruit waiting to burst forth from our inner most selves where the spark of the divine melds with our inner most being. Buried deep-so it seems. Buried behind a protective and opaque wall of concrete and … Continue reading Practice the Spiritual Fruits with Intention
Author: backofbeyondblog
Not Good Enough
Wide awake at 4 a.m. staring at the high desert clear night sky illuminated with stars. And out of nowhere I'm flooded with painful childhood memories. Feelings of humiliation, of being overlooked, ignored and alone are overwhelming. There are no adults in these memories. There's no one to blame for my interpretation of these rather … Continue reading Not Good Enough
Meaning and Good News
There is no meaning-to my life-to my small life, my small self. The meaning of life, any life, all of life, is life itself. When I die, I die. Therefore, let me live for today. How shall I live? Simply. So others may live. So that life may continue-long after I’m gone. Life! What is … Continue reading Meaning and Good News
The Circle of Life

Today, I think of resurrection on many levels, but ultimately, at the time of my physical death, I believe that this physical body returns to the earth to help nourish and bring forth new life. I see this as the circle of life. Death and resurrection, over and over. When I sit near a stream, … Continue reading The Circle of Life
Will the End of Donald Trump’s Presidency Justify the Means?
Does the end justify the means or is the end determined by the means? Donald Trump is a like a deadly cancer that is killing us. It’s not his fault. We put him where he is. We hired a child stuck in a mans body to be POTUS. The symptoms are there for us to … Continue reading Will the End of Donald Trump’s Presidency Justify the Means?
Higher Calling

Have you ever noticed how religions and belief systems are often divisive and promote dualistic thinking? Somehow, we think we’ve got the answer, or we're on the right team and the 'other' is on the wrong team. We think we're God's favorite and God is on our side. Or perhaps we think God is passé … Continue reading Higher Calling
The Essentials
Be present. Connect with my heart-space where hope, faith, and love reside. Gaze upon all that is, through the lens of my heart-space. Live frommy heart-space. Be grateful. Be still and let go. Keep moving. Namaste.
I’m Back: Down with FB rants and Up with Back of Beyond
Bus stop for work commute. A precious moment.I've fallen down on my commitment to myself to post on at least a monthly basis. I beat myself up a bit, but now I'm back. Admittedly, since the election of Donald Trump for POTUS, I've become a FB junkie posting provovactive articles, devouring and commenting on news … Continue reading I’m Back: Down with FB rants and Up with Back of Beyond
Trump’s Campaign of Bigotry: How to Move Forward

My friend recently posted a challenge on social media asking for perspectives on the content of Jamelle Bouie's article in Slate and this is my response as I try to navigate through the fog. Racism and other forms of bigotry (a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially … Continue reading Trump’s Campaign of Bigotry: How to Move Forward
Denial to Acceptance and Everything In Between

I notice my anxiety rise as I watch the results of our presidential election numbers come in. I sip on my wine. PA shows Hillary far ahead at 10:30 last evening, I breathe easier. Chris not so much. I'm troubled by how close the numbers are in so many other states. But there are always … Continue reading Denial to Acceptance and Everything In Between