Frederic C. Craigie, PhD
Welcome! You can scroll down to see the long-running welcome text below, with a brief introduction to the website and explanation of the “Goodness of Heart” theme.
JANUARY 2021
Welcome to 2021. You thought 2020 was unsettled? My goodness, what a beginning, with unabated political and health trauma, and crises of unemployment, immigration and racial justice largely put on back burners.
I remain hopeful. I look forward to the spirit and energy of new leadership. I am abundantly thankful that the two people in our lives who are in health care have had their first vaccinations, and I anticipate the pace and logistics of widespread vaccinations accelerating. At least in Maine, most people responsibly follow the statewide mask mandate. Perhaps we’ll see greater support for individuals who have lost jobs, businesses in danger of closing, and states and municipalities that have been stretched to the brink. Maybe the baseball season can again be 162 games!
Personally, too. In the midst of all of the challenges of the past few months, might you have experienced some parts of your own coping and resilience that are good, and that you wish to carry over into the New Year? Reading or learning something new? Connecting a little more richly with the people in your life? Being aware and thankful for the everyday blessings and little miracles that are so easy to overlook?
May we approach 2021 with the recognition that we’re in it together, and that being kind and supporting one another may move us all more in the direction of health, peace, and joy.
New with the website this month, the first of several forthcoming pieces on the history and experience of the labyrinth as a vehicle of spiritual comfort, discernment and growth. See
More > Resources > The labyrinth
Recognition for Weekly Soul: 5-star rating from Readers’ Favorite Reviews, and designation as “Recommended” by the US Review of Books (a rating garnered by 10% of books that they review).
And, as always, see the short quotation/reflection updated weekly on the Weekly Reflections tab.
Take care for yourself, and take care for your neighbor.
Fred
I remain hopeful. I look forward to the spirit and energy of new leadership. I am abundantly thankful that the two people in our lives who are in health care have had their first vaccinations, and I anticipate the pace and logistics of widespread vaccinations accelerating. At least in Maine, most people responsibly follow the statewide mask mandate. Perhaps we’ll see greater support for individuals who have lost jobs, businesses in danger of closing, and states and municipalities that have been stretched to the brink. Maybe the baseball season can again be 162 games!
Personally, too. In the midst of all of the challenges of the past few months, might you have experienced some parts of your own coping and resilience that are good, and that you wish to carry over into the New Year? Reading or learning something new? Connecting a little more richly with the people in your life? Being aware and thankful for the everyday blessings and little miracles that are so easy to overlook?
May we approach 2021 with the recognition that we’re in it together, and that being kind and supporting one another may move us all more in the direction of health, peace, and joy.
New with the website this month, the first of several forthcoming pieces on the history and experience of the labyrinth as a vehicle of spiritual comfort, discernment and growth. See
More > Resources > The labyrinth
Recognition for Weekly Soul: 5-star rating from Readers’ Favorite Reviews, and designation as “Recommended” by the US Review of Books (a rating garnered by 10% of books that they review).
And, as always, see the short quotation/reflection updated weekly on the Weekly Reflections tab.
Take care for yourself, and take care for your neighbor.
Fred
WELCOME. Thanks for stopping by. I hope that this site offers you meaningful ideas, helpful resources, cool images and the opportunity to have some dialogue about spirituality and life-well-lived. It's also the portal for information about my books, Positive Spirituality in Health Care and Weekly Soul: Fifty-two Meditations on Meaningful, Joyful and Peaceful Living.
Why GOODNESS OF HEART?
In our culture and language, the word “heart” usually signifies depth and authenticity. We say, “What I know in my head is fine, but it’s what I know in my heart that really matters,” or “She’s not always consistent in what she does, but she has a good heart.” “Heart,” I think, has to do with the recognition of who we are… who we really are… and what is sacred in how we wish to be living our lives.
“Goodness” of heart signifies mindful awareness of who we really are. If you cherish kindness, or compassion, or understanding… if these qualities are sacred for you… then “goodness of heart” means to hold these qualities in front of you, to remember that this is who you really are, and to allow the energy of these qualities to direct and empower you as you move through your life.
In our culture and language, the word “heart” usually signifies depth and authenticity. We say, “What I know in my head is fine, but it’s what I know in my heart that really matters,” or “She’s not always consistent in what she does, but she has a good heart.” “Heart,” I think, has to do with the recognition of who we are… who we really are… and what is sacred in how we wish to be living our lives.
“Goodness” of heart signifies mindful awareness of who we really are. If you cherish kindness, or compassion, or understanding… if these qualities are sacred for you… then “goodness of heart” means to hold these qualities in front of you, to remember that this is who you really are, and to allow the energy of these qualities to direct and empower you as you move through your life.