Blog Posts – Paddlin’ On

THE RED ORNAMENT OF TRUTH Happy New Year! As I re-read my holiday message from last year, I reflected on my 2021 word, MIRACLES. In addition to countless, daily, small blessings, there were so many poignant MIRACLES this past year. I would like to share a few of those with you. As I work on

Reflections from the Red Kayak “As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos…” Henry David Thoreau, Walden The season of spring is a beautiful gift. A time when everything emerges from winter’s darkness to begin again. The frozen

Early in 2020, I entered my third book, Change: Our Ever-Present Companion, Reflections from the Red Kayak, in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Although the book did not win, it received the highest marks for structure, organization, cover design, voice and writing style, among other things. Below is the judge’s commentary. I am honored to receive

Reflections from the Red Kayak “Not until we are lost, do we find ourselves again” Henry David Thoreau Author I intended to write this piece about being uprooted a while ago. But I didn’t. Why? Because I have allowed the tumultuous, external events of the year to cloud my focus. How about you? Henry David

“If rivers come out of their icy prison thus bright and immortal, shall not I too resume my spring life with joy and hope?” Journal, 29 February 1852 -Henry David Thoreau From his journal entry on leap year day, 1852, Henry David Thoreau brings us wisdom for today. The frozen river melts to become clear, flowing water,

“Not until we are lost, do we find ourselves again” –Henry David Thoreau Many of us are familiar with Henry David Thoreau for his infamous publication, Walden and his deliberate intention to live in the woods. More than a woodsman, however, he was also an avid paddler who lived near the confluence of the Concord, Sudbury

As I reflected on 2019 and thoughts I wanted to share, I found this saying in one of my morning meditation books – “Each person’s life is like the pattern of a mosaic. Each thing that happens to you is like one tiny stone in the mosaic, and each tiny stone fits into the perfected

“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our own feet and learn to be at home.” Wendell Berry, The Unforeseen Wilderness: Kentucky’s

Yet having struggled for a lifetime with letting the needs of others define me, I’ve come to understand that without the healthiest form of self-love, putting another before you can result in damaging self-sacrifice… Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening Greetings from the Red Kayak Institute (RKI)! We wish you a healthy and fulfilling 2019.