Remember—“We too, are America"
February 19, Remembrance Day, was a good day to remember. 忘 is the kanji for “forget”—the top part 亡 is death and the bottom 心 is...
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smshige3
Feb 15, 20221 min read
The Art of Living and Dying
THE ART OF LIVING & DYING: Lessons from a 111 year-old Japanese grandmother - My session is at 12pm PT, February 18. Free registration:...
smshige3
Feb 11, 20222 min read
Learning from Elders
Before my friend gave a guest lecture to my class, we realized that he had a half century of work experience in the helping professions...
smshige3
Feb 3, 20221 min read
“It’s all about ME!”
Occasionally I’m asked to be on a stage under bright lights with a microphone facing an audience staring and maybe listening. Before I go...
smshige3
Jan 27, 20222 min read
Good-bye Body! I am more than just you
My friend just lost a precious body part. She writes that she grieves the loss of something so wonderful and vitalizing. Isa is a master...
smshige3
Jan 24, 20221 min read
“You’ve come a long way, baby!”
98 years, what a miracle! Not many people get to celebrate so many birthdays. A rebellious Tokyo girl who survived war, sexual and racial...
smshige3
Jan 20, 20222 min read
When a child is born
There was a huge earthquake just before our son was born but all our attention was on him. He needed to get out of the womb and begin...
smshige3
Jan 13, 20221 min read
It's my birthday
It’s my birthday. WHOOPEE! Another year older. OH BOY! One step closer to the grave. CAN'T WAIT! Yeah, the thrill is gone. Just can’t...
smshige3
Jan 11, 20221 min read
Re-member
Re-member— to put ourselves back together after being torn apart by life. Remember your lost loves with a poem. Make rituals and special...
smshige3
Jan 6, 20221 min read
“Until it’s time for you to go”
She jumped on the bed and licked my face. Was I in heaven? Or was I dreaming? Neither, I soon realized. I was awake and the dog was...
smshige3
Dec 9, 20211 min read
Asking for blessings
When people who have met for the first time or anticipate some future connection, the ritual ending in Japanese is, Yoroshiku onegai...
smshige3
Dec 1, 20211 min read
Trees of the Temple
The trees in the temple garden were scarred and yet still growing. Some had been split in half, burned, or shattered. But the wounds had...
smshige3
Nov 10, 20211 min read
How can you mend a broken heart?
"How can you mend a broken heart? How can you stop the rain from falling down? How can you stop the sun from shining? What makes the...
smshige3
Nov 8, 20213 min read
Choosing to not live with hate
In the play Blue Lotus, written by Elaine Lai, I was the Old Man, a temporary emanation of the Awakened One, in an utterly ordinary form....
smshige3
Nov 5, 20211 min read
Blue Lotus
Making my acting debut tomorrow in Blue Lotus, an audio play written and directed by Elaine Lai with co-direction and sound design by...
smshige3
Nov 4, 20213 min read
As good as it gets!
When I received the news that my book had reached a fourth printing I thought I’d find a happy photo of the time when it had first been...
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