Caution: Shape Shifters at Play

Play
As a child I loved to play, and I still do. I’m never so happy as when I’m playing with my children.  When we play together, we let go of many of the rules that pretend to define us and shape us, and leave us free to explore.

When adults use the word play, they usually mean games with set rules (cards, sports), or relaxing and getting away from their everyday routine.

When children play,
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The Attraction of Evil

I’m not a big fan of horror stories or horror movies, but I’ve known many people who enjoyed them.
And people are often fascinated by the evil characters in other stories, like Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies.
Darth Vader fascinates me, too.

When I was in high school,
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Facing the Darkness, Part I: Who are You?

Ask someone, “who are you?”
There are a number of typical responses:

  • Name
  • Profession
  • A list of skills or hobbies
  • Personal or professional history
  • A description that involves physical characteristics such as height, weight, and age
  • Likes and dislikes

If I were to ask
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Not Enough Abundance

What does abundance mean to you?

The horizon, the sky, a full heart, a beautiful home, endless money, choices, true love, a long life, health, beauty, friends?

For my son, who is 10, it means a tall pile of books from the library to fill his leisure time. For me, abundance is part of feeling free.

Sure, money is what comes to mind for many of us, at first.  Money brings choices, and we imagine
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Take Off Your Mask

There are festivals of masks and the hidden in many cultures.  In American culture, Halloween is one of the most dominant festivals of the mask.  Children particularly love dressing up and pretending to be someone else.

For many adults, the images of the hidden that dominate Halloween are the uncertain, frightening, and dark side of the hidden.
 
Many people have moments where they feel the masks that cover the world, and sense something hidden beyond them.  How often
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