The Power of Positive Doing

On May 17, 1900, Chicago publisher George M. Hill Company published L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” I’m certain that neither Baum nor his publisher had even an inkling that their book would still be in print 119 years later – available in over fifty languages around the world, with sales…

For many years, I had a poster of Mother Teresa that read, “Unless life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile.” The holy woman from Calcutta was – and still is – someone whose life and work I admire greatly. I do my best to live according to her wise words, though I fall…

I watched an episode of Cesar Milan’s “Dog Whisperer” TV show a few weeks ago and was fascinated by the dynamic between man and dog. It looked like Milan had taken on Mission Impossible with this particular mutt – a wild, willful bundle of energy. The dog was acting out as his emotions ran amok:…

“In the beginning was the Word,” according to the Bible. God’s words created the universe; He spoke us into being. Words created our world – literally. Words have power – to uplift or to tear down – to inspire or to incite – to heal or to hurt – to create or destroy. Words define…

One day I was complaining about something to my friend Sam Beasley. I can’t even remember what it was I was complaining about – all I remember is Sam’s reply: “Your life is your prayer. Whatever you’ve got going on in your life is what you’ve been praying for – either consciously or unconsciously. If…

In honor of International Women’s Day, I’m inviting women around the world to adopt this “Women’s Declaration of Interdependence” … We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all women are created equal, but each is blessed with different gifts and talents. That all women are endowed with certain individual rights, but each must assume…

The spiritual teacher Ram Dass says, “We’re all just walking each other home.” That’s how I feel about my role as caregiver. Just last week, I finished walking my mother home. She died peacefully in my arms as I sang to her, told her how much I loved her, prayed for her, and reassured her…

    My heart sank when I heard Mitt Romney’s videotaped comments to a group of  wealthy campaign donors. I so wanted to believe that he’s a good, kind, spiritual man – even though I disagree with his politics. I think Jesus’ heart must have sunk, too, to hear such cold, condemning words from the…

On Viet Nam Moratorium Day in 1969, UCLA professor Warren H. Schmidt sat down to his morning writing. What flowed onto paper was a parable he titled “Is It Always Right to Be Right?” In it he examined the divisiveness that was tearing our country apart in the ’60s: Counterculture versus Establishment, women’s liberation movement,…

“If you ever publish with another house, you’ll be disappointed,” literary agent Julie Hill told me. “Berrett-Koehler has spoiled you.” We were both at a cocktail party in San Francisco, celebrating the fourth anniversary of Berret-Koehler, a small publisher with a big mission: “Creating a World that Works for All.” Sixteen years later – and…

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