Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire Dr. Deborah Adamy, PhD., LMSW, LMT

Today is Monday May 27th, Memorial Day. As important as it is to remember those who have died while serving in the military, I also like to imagine a world without war. We humans seem wired for war, but I want to remember that peace is also a possibility. 
The possibility of peace includes inner peace, peace in our dynamics with others and a vision for world peace. Can we soften that which is rigid in our hearts? Can we have the strength to forgive those who have hurt us? Can we let go of grudges, animosity, stubbornness, defensiveness, and the need to be right? On this Memorial Day, may we also remember that peace is a possibility and it starts with our own hearts.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I look at the power of rituals. All known human societies create rituals. 
Rituals mark time, create time, and help define beginnings and ends of life’s phases and transitions. Two weeks ago, Paul and I hosted a birthday party for my Dad’s 94th birthday! My father, Stephen Kerry Carr, turned 94 on April 30 and it was pure joy to host a party for him the following Sunday. Gathering a circle of loving relatives into our home reminded me that these rituals actually do help make life worth living. 
Whether you are creating your own rituals for your daily spiritual practices, for your weekly circles/meetings/classes, time with friends and family or attending a wedding, graduation or funeral, see the ritual as a loving punctuation mark for the people being honored, celebrated or memorialized. A celebratory punctuation mark to emphasize that rituals help us celebrate life!! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I acknowledge all the gratitude and love that I feel from Mother’s Day, both connecting with my own children and expressing appreciation to the women in my life who have been mother-mentors for me. And I emphasize how important it is to be sensitive on Mother’s Day, knowing how emotionally charged, for a variety of reasons, this day can be.  
I share a poignant poem, representing Birth Mothers who had to give up their children, written by Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh called “Breaking the Silence”. Please listen and allow this poem to deepen your sensitivity and compassion for those who had been silent about their motherhood for years. May we open our hearts, in solidarity with these Birth Mothers, to bring about collective healing on Mother’s Day.  Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Anne (or Annie) Carpenter. Anne is a singer, photographer and I would add a beautiful writer, plus a new kindred spirit! I’ve heard Anne sing and was moved deeply. Although she grew up in a family of singers, was immersed in a choral mindset from middle school through college, I was surprised to learn that it’s only been about ten years since Annie stepped into singing professionally.

Her honesty about the career choices that didn’t line up, her gratitude for all the people who lifted her up and encouraged her to trust both herself and her voice more fully, comes through in our conversation. It’s an honor to shine light on this humble, gracious, woman of wonder,  curiosity and compassion. Check out the show notes for a link to Anne’s beautiful website, IG and FB accounts to see where she is performing next. I’ve also included a link for a Living Music Event at the Westchester Collaborative Theater in Ossining, NY this month, fusing theater and music, where Anne will be the featured vocal artist. Even though we didn’t discuss that in our conversation, I’d love to help promote this unique event. We just got our tickets for opening night on May 10th and hope to see you there!  Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Anne's Website
IG: @anneoranniecarpenter
FB: AnneorAnnieCarpenter
IG: @langhorneslim
Living Music Event at the WCT

This week’s episode serves as a BLOOM ALERT! I share my appreciation of the cherry blossoms that are now blooming in the New York area. These vibrant pink blossoms make me smile and apparently shift the mood in others, making us a little lighter, happier and cheerier!

Check out the show notes for a link to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden so you can experience their incredible Cherry Walk in full bloom. Otherwise, look for the cherry blossoms in your neighborhood. Soak in the fragrance, smile as you immerse yourself in the awesomeness of those vibrant pink blossoms. Allow yourself to be uplifted and inspired by this awesome gift from nature. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
IG: @brooklynbotanic

On this week’s episode, I describe how moved I was by the people of Bali. The warmth, kindness, and humility of the Balinese people we met and interacted with was so striking. From casual greetings to exuding compassion in an interaction that could have incited annoyance  and impatience, the people from Bali taught me a meaningful lesson. 
Am I letting my words, gestures and responses reflect and radiate compassion? The Balinese people embodied such a sincere compassion, it was if they were vibrating on a higher frequency. May the light embodied in the Balinese people penetrate the light in me, the light in all of us, to absorb their patience, kindness and wisdom.  Blessings to the wise people of Bali.
Enjoy the podcast!