NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2026 Hello Reader, Attending group workshops used to terrify me. I would spend the whole time ‘in my head’ - constantly monitoring my appearance, pre-rehearsing what I would share, second-guessing my every move. Sound familiar? (Reminds me of the Ram Dass quote - “In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight”) I felt judged, out of place, an impostor of a human. I spent so much of my focus...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2026 Hello Reader, A few days ago I came across this quote while dropping my son off at his daycare/art school (Habibi’s Hutch): “Love is an action word Art is a contact sport Thus, all the band-aids” And it seemed like the perfect summation of this season of life and of my year 2026 so far. That is to say, I feel banged up. Like I am in some sort of testing phase - where the Universe says, “okay, now do it with one hand tied behind your back." Then, “okay, now...
3 months ago • 2 min read
NEWSLETTER - DEC 2025 Hello Reader, A few days ago, despite my best attempts to keep the holiday season EASY, I found myself getting caught up in the hustle bustle. I was multi-tasking getting dressed for Christmas Eve church service and trying to entertain and dress an overtired toddler. Internally, I was trudging along and just trying to keep my head above water. Not drowning, but not exactly thriving. Our church has a tradition of making Christmas Eve a bit dressier than usual Sundays, so...
5 months ago • 1 min read
NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2025 Hello Reader, I love painting, but one of my biggest challenges is deciding WHAT to paint. I used to do a lot of second-guessing about my choices. Here’s a story about that. A few years ago, I had a particularly vivid dream, and got a strong internal nudge to try and paint it. I had been saving a big canvas for something special, and had always been curious if I could capture a dream in paint. It was an elaborate dreamscape visual - a big hazy desert with two polar...
6 months ago • 2 min read
NEWSLETTER - OCT 2025 Hello Reader As the parent of a toddler, I am often on the receiving end of the advice “it goes so quickly, make sure you savor it.” My son is growing in leaps and bounds these days, and I am starting to understand the deep emotional undertone of this advice. And, no matter how many times I hear it, or how cliché it sometimes comes off - I feel grateful for the reminder: STAY AWAKE, JOE. However vigilant I am in my awareness practices, I find I can always use an extra...
7 months ago • 1 min read
NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2025 Hello Reader, Today I want to share a recent God-wink I experienced. Because walking the spiritual path can sometimes feel discouraging - and for me, acknowledging moments of synchronicity and grace can provide counterweight to the difficult moments. Difficult moments--such as traveling home on a crowded airplane with a toddler after spending 10 days visiting with family. My wife and I are sleep deprived. I feel fried. My patience has already been maxed out multiple...
9 months ago • 2 min read
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2025 Hello Reader, For most of my 20’s and 30’s, my primary occupation and identity was that of musician/songwriter. As such, one part of my mind was always scanning my surroundings for clever phrases or potential song titles. Every once in awhile I would feel a big ol’ lightbulb go off and the idea would nestle itself into my creative psyche. Most of my best songs came about in this way. About 9 months ago, I was reading David Hawkins Power vs. Force, and in one section he...
10 months ago • 2 min read
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2025 Hello Reader, A phrase I often heard my teacher, Steve Flynn, use was “become a clearing.” He would say it with a deep, expansive resonance. I heard the words, but more importantly, I felt the words. This past week, my family and I spent the week at Ruby Retreats in Wimberley, TX, house-sitting for some dear friends. One of our daily tasks was to take their two pups on long morning walks around the 100-acre property, visiting the cow pasture and the grotto and through...
11 months ago • 2 min read
NEWSLETTER - MAY 2025 Hello Reader, One of the practices that has become central to my daily routine is that of meditative walking. Like any modality, there are many variations - but the essential idea is to slow down and bring mindful attention to each step, instead of hurrying from one thing to the next. A few nights ago, I received a rare gift of free evening time; my wife and son had gone to bed early and it was still light out. I started with some good ol’ phone-scrolling, a short...
12 months ago • 1 min read