Stranded on the Mainland: Inner Pilgrimage and Living Alone as a Spiritual Path:

I read somewhere recently when children are able to name something they feel relief.  Unexpectedly, that's when the fog cleared for me this Christmas.  Now I know that having been "stranded on the mainland" has a name.  It's called Betrayal Trauma.  Like a child naming something, I feel relief too, and want to share it. Wikipedia has this to say about Betrayal Trauma : "The concept originally introduced by Jennifer Freyd in 1994, betrayal trauma theory (BTT), addresses situations when people or institutions on which a person relies for protection, resources, and survival violate the trust or well-being of that person." Given the massive betrayal trauma in the world today with politics, climate change, cost of living, wars, I want to share this important talk below: What is Betrayal Blindness, With Jennifer Freyd, July 13, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=QXlAZpD8zkI . On a spiritual note, I'm thinking of Blind Bartimaeus.  I wonder if he is an ...

I remember being told even if I was the only person in the whole world, that Christ would have come just for me. This morning I can BELIEVE it. You see, from my balcony, right this very minute, I'm watching a little girl filling a sand-pail with snow. If that little girl was the only person in the world, I can see with my own eyes that God is letting it snow just for her! And for the little boy with the truck. And for the child care worker taking pictures of all THIS with her phone. And for me. And for you. LET IT SNOW! Amen   source:istockphotos

Another Advent begins. This year I'm grateful for the family who wrapped the extra huge evergreen tree in their front yard with strands of white Christmas lights.  Every night from my balcony, I look with awe and wonder at the big tree off in the distance. I am not alone in waiting. Not the tree,  Not awe and wonder. Not even God. Tomorrow, Turning to the Mystics Retreat with Jim Finley begins! Amen