Have we arrived at our own faith and our own path or simply internalized the beliefs of parents, clergy, spouse, or friends?

Nature is another important aspect of nourishing the soul. After a hike in the mountains where we live, for instance, I feel a remarkable sense of gratitude and awe. My mind quiets down and allows me to see more clearly the beauty of creation. And through that gratitude, the beauty of the universe is reflected back to the creator.

The question is not whether we will barbecue, but how we will barbecue.

If we believe that the universe is unfriendly and that our very souls are in danger, peace will be elusive at best.

We drop like pebbles into the ponds of each other's souls, and the orbit of our ripples continues to expand, intersecting with countless others.

Forgiveness ... is the finishing of old business that allows us to experience the present, free of contamination from the past.

To nourish the soul means to become kinder, more compassionate, wiser, and more loving, often through the making of difficult choices that foster growth rather than safety. The nourishment and growth of the soul is the very reason for human life.