Looking at ourselves and the world through the lens of the 21st century.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Heard it on the Podcast - July 31, 2024

  

Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we do most Wednesdays to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. Here are the links for this week:

31-Jul-2024

S4E31: 7 Secrets to the Perfect Kitchen

Listen to the podcast:   HERE

Mentioned on the podcast:


    Thursday, July 25, 2024

    Flash Fiction

     A Day in the Life of an Artist

    07:09 am - no more time to snooze

    07:10 am - wake the kids up to get ready for school

    07:15 am - start a fresh pot of coffee, almost out of filters; need to write that down

    07:20 am - pop some toast in the toaster - a quick breakfast; not the best; will have to suffice

    07:30 am - a brisk walk for the dog

    07:45 am - everyone is out the door and on their way

    09:00 am - clocking into that “9-5”

    05:30 pm - can’t wait to bust out of here

    06:30 pm - that traffic is no joke, what a day, 

    07:12 pm - barely made it to the ballet recital

    08:00 pm - shopping, just a few things, don’t forget coffee filters!

    08:30 pm - no time to cook now, “should we go through the drive-through?”

    09:00 pm - dishes, showers, “is your homework done?”, phone calls, spouse, chores, scrolling; 

    11:00 pm - peace and quiet

    11:01 pm - use AI for creative outlet for expression

    11:02 pm - lights out


    Wednesday, July 24, 2024

    Heard it on the Podcast - July 24, 2024

     

    Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we do most Wednesdays to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. Here are the links for this week:

    24-Jul-2024

    S4E30: The Rise of AI

    Listen to the podcast:   HERE

    Mentioned on the podcast:






    Wednesday, July 17, 2024

    Heard it on the Podcast - July 17, 2024

     

    Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we do most Wednesdays to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. Here are the links for this week:

    17-Jul-2024

    S4E29: National Moon Day

    Listen to the podcast: HERE

    Past topics on the podcast and blog related to the moon and witches/paganism

    • Every Mission to the Moon, Ever:  The Planetary Society
    • All our metaphysical episodes in one playlist:  On YouTube
    • Metaphysical blog posts at ModernMusings.net
    • Don't forget to check out the "Heard it on the Podcast" posts for each of those metaphysical podcast episodes: HERE

    Wednesday, July 10, 2024

    Heard it on the Podcast - July 10, 2024

      

    Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we do most Wednesdays to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. Here are the links for this week:

    10-Jul-2024

    S4E28: Cool Texas Destinations

    Listen to the podcast: HERE

    Mentioned on the podcast:


      Saturday, July 6, 2024

      Got Questions? Listen to Your Intuition

       

      I hope you enjoyed this week’s episode about The Book of Questions and The Kid’s Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D.  I know some of the questions were hard, especially trying to answer the questions designed for kids. Christen and Amber expressed a great deal of dislike for the questions from the kids’ book, primarily because they seemed to be shallow, asking about things like looks and popularity, but I maintain that kids are already in that mindset all on their own, and that questions like that are a great way to introduce family discussions on things like race, disability, discrimination, lookism, and more. And while it might be hard for fair-minded adults to hear those questions, sometimes we need to look deeper at our biases, too. 


      Those weren’t the only hard questions I’ve been faced with lately. This year, I’ve been faced with a lot of questions about how to move forward in my life and what my goals and ambitions might be. Those are hard questions for someone who is almost 60 years old and recently widowed. If someone had asked those questions this time last year, I would have an easy answer right at my fingertips, but now everything has changed. Things that were important to me last year suddenly aren’t so important, and things I didn’t have to worry about before are now staring me right in the face. So, in January, I realized I couldn't answer all the questions as I started working out my goals in the Goals Girl workbook that we have been creating and answering prompts in my One Little Word project.


      As I answered the prompts, I kept circling back to questions about my highest calling and deepest dreams. I honestly didn’t know. For so many years, my greatest calling was to be a great mom and wife, provide a safe and loving home for my family, and try to be a better person. That last part is still true, but my kids are grown. I just spent the better part of four years creating the most loving and nurturing environment I could for loved ones with dementia and cancer, and all of that was super taxing on my physical and emotional energy. I was (still am) exhausted. It wasn’t very helpful to my travel business either, as I didn’t have the time to devote to my clients or rebuilding after COVID that I felt I should. And that brought up another hard question…should I keep working as an agent or simply let it go?


      So then I had two hard questions, decision fatigue from dealing with all the stuff widowhood throws at you, and hey, let’s throw a question about whether I should take a once-in-a-lifetime trip (or not) into the mix. I just didn’t know. I couldn’t decide. I tried everything. I meditated, wrote out lists of pros and cons, and did extra “homework” in my goal-setting to get to the root of my “dreams.” I asked my friends; I asked my therapist. I even consulted my tarot cards (multiple times!), a pendulum, and a charm reader. I just kept getting mixed answers, but nothing definitive. Everything kept coming back to “trust your intuition,” and that was the problem. I had gotten into the habit of ignoring my intuition. I had been doing it for so long that I no longer heard it.


      How did that happen? Mostly from making bad choices (ignoring what my intuition told me), but also because I was listening to all those voices that made me believe I wasn’t smart or capable of making the right choices. Trusting your intuition is hard when you’ve spent your whole life thinking it was faulty. After a while, you just stop listening…even when it’s right.


      That was a big revelation, but I wasn’t sure where to go from there. I did a little searching on the internet, and everything pointed to more meditation (clearing the other voices out of your head), journaling (doing a bit of shadow work), and being open to whatever my intuition might have to say – all the time. That was helpful, but I still had questions I couldn’t resolve, and then I stumbled across this blog and video from podcaster and YouTube creator Marie Forleo. 


      The blog was helpful and mentioned some of the things I had already been trying, but the video was a game-changer for me. Marie helped put some of my issues into perspective, and by using her suggestions, I got so much closer to the answers to my questions. I particularly liked the journaling prompt and the idea that “clarity comes from engagement, not thought,” which I learned back in 2020 when “clarity” was my One Little Word


      Do I have all the answers now? No. Did I learn how to hear my inner voice? Yes, and it’s getting louder every day. The more I listen and the more I follow my own instincts, the louder that voice will become and the more sure I will be of it. And, by the way, I’m still a travel agent, and I’ll be going to Paris in the fall with the GreenMan Group


      Wednesday, July 3, 2024

      Heard it on the Podcast - July 3, 2024

       

      Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we do most Wednesdays to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. Here are the links for this week:

      3-Jul-2024

      S4E27: The Book of Questions

      • The Book of Questions:  On Amazon
      • The Kid's Book of Questions:  On Amazon
      • Answer the questions in our Facebook Chat Group MMC Chat

      Monday, July 1, 2024

      What are these Questions?

       


      Have you ever found yourself in a conversation that suddenly turns boring and predictable? Do you yearn for discussions that dive into the core of human nature, ethics, and personal beliefs? If so, Gregory Stock, PhD's "The Book of Questions" might be perfect for you. This week on the podcast, we explore this book of questions and answer some of them ourselves.

      What is this book of questions, though? It’s not a traditional book with a storyline. Instead, it's a collection of open-ended questions covering a wide range of topics, including morality questions, relationships, ambitious questions, and questions about the mysteries of life. Gregory Stock, PhD, a biophysicist, and renowned author, crafted these questions to challenge readers to reflect on their values and assumptions.

      When thinking about this book of questions in the post-podcast recording, I can’t help but ask myself why questions matter. Questions have always been important to human progress and self-understanding. They raise curiosity, drive research, and encourage personal growth. The questions in this book are powerful because they often lack straightforward answers. They push us to consider different perspectives and explore the nuances of our beliefs. When asked these questions during the podcast, Christen and I became frustrated because they lacked our desired answers.

      Here are some sample questions from the book:
      • Ethics and Morality: "If a close friend murdered someone for good reason, but you couldn't go to the police, how would you dispose of the body?"
      • Personal Beliefs: "Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?"
      • Relationships: "If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?"
      How can this book be used? It can be used in various ways.
      • Personal Reflection: Spending a few minutes each day thinking about a question and writing down various thoughts. This would be a great exercise in journal writing. 
      • Group Discussions: These questions are great conversation starters, especially if you need help starting conversations.
      • Therapeutic Settings: Therapists and counselors can use the questions to help clients explore their inner worlds and confront complex issues.
      In conclusion, questions matter. This book is an excellent tool for discerning what is more profound in a conversation. 

      We want to know what our readers think. Have you read this book? What are your favorite questions to ask to stimulate conversation? Drop a comment below or check out our Facebook Group: MMC Chat.

      5 Ways to Manifest Your Best Life

      Hi there, and welcome back! Since we have been heavily focusing on goals and planning, I thought we should discuss manifesting. I love this ...