Children are back in school now. What are your memories of going back to school? My memories of returning to school is of the taste of raw chestnut in my mouth, the smells of wax from our wooden desk, chalk from the board and dark purple ink. In my village, the elementary school was located in the Renaissance castle from the 1500. We walked on the original wood floors, just a few centuries … [Read more...] about Back To School
Writings
A Great Gathering
Today I wanted to share with you one of my very favorite Far-Eastern stories! A Great Gathering. Once the Creator had a gift but also wanted to conceal it. At a great gathering the Creator asks where to hide it from the humans. The soaring eagle flies low and offers to hide it on the moon. No, that won't do as one day they will go on the moon and will find it. The great buffalo pawing on the … [Read more...] about A Great Gathering
The Reward of Patience
Have you ever wondered what the reward of patience is? When we exercise patience, do we receive what we are hoping for? What do we have in mind? What are our expectations? During my childhood in France, there was not a lot of patience. In this family of seven, sometimes even eight or nine, we would live in chaos. One of the two leading members had no patience and the other … [Read more...] about The Reward of Patience
The Powerful Effects of Letting Go
SHHH…. She is meditating… One day, when my children were respectively eleven and three, I experienced the powerful effect of letting go. Everyone benefited from it. It came as a surprise to my oldest who on this specific day was pushing my buttons. Not just once or twice. In his diligence, he was pushing all of them. You know, one of those trying days. At the kitchen … [Read more...] about The Powerful Effects of Letting Go
Mumbai, India-2005
Unedited excerpt from my memoir. ©2019 Sylvaine Francine When I first arrived on campus, the girls’ building was at full capacity, could not accommodate me. Instead, I was sent to the boys’ dorm to settle in a small apartment on the fourth floor. The boys, always, keep the elevator door open for me. But, even in the thick of the heat and drenching humidity; I ignore the elevator and climb up … [Read more...] about Mumbai, India-2005
Won’t Take a Bad Mood
The Wrong Side of the Bed Do we sometimes wake up from the wrong side of the bed? Once in a while, yes. It happens to most of us. When it occurs, I wonder… why do I feel that way? Why did I say this? Where does my reaction come from? I search. Why not? It is not because I wake up in a bad mood that I am going to go with it. Why would I? Why would you? We don’t have to accept it and … [Read more...] about Won’t Take a Bad Mood
