I’ve always heard the expression, “Count your blessings” but until a few years ago it sounded like an admonition i.e., “You should count your blessings.” It fell into the same category as “You kids nowadays take everything for granted” which I heard from many adults as I was growing up.  Instead of feeling grateful for what I had, that phrase often evoked a guilty and defensive reaction in me. Maybe it’s because I am older or because I’m more conscious now but, for whatever reason, gratitude has become the biggest part of my life these...

I had a great aunt who taught me a tremendous amount about how to create your own happiness.  She lived what I now realize was a charmed life.  Almost everything went her way, and I believe it was because she chose to be happy regardless of her circumstances. Once, when I was about 7,  I was holding her hand as we were waiting to cross a busy street.  She felt me fidgeting and complaining about how many cars there were and that it looked like there would never be a break in the traffic to let us cross the street.  She said to me, calmly, “You know,...

Living near the Chesapeake Bay, I’m pretty familiar with the Maryland Blue Crab.  They are amazing looking creatures and come in all sizes.  I’ve seen baby ones that measure barely an inch and have also seen crabs that are 8 inches across with formidable claws. What most people don’t know is that crabs don’t start off small and continue growing until they are as large as the one I just described.  They go through a fascinating process that I believe has similarities to the way we, as humans, grow emotionally, spiritually. and even physically. ...