Would you rather hear the good news first or the bad news? The bad news is that climate change has finally gained enough momentum that its effects have become palpable to the average person. The good news is that being able to feel the impact of global warming forces us to prioritize a solution.

"We're the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it," said former President Barack Obama, quoting Washington State governor Jay Inslee. 

With the clock indeed ticking and our collective anxiety rightly mounting, what better way than art to face the realities of climate change?

In light of these mounting climate change challenges, Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn installed a massive and masterfully rendered pair of human arms that appeared to support the famous Ca'Sagredo Hotel in Venice. Amongst Venice's historic bridges, gondolas, and canals, the hands appeared during the 57th International Art Exhibition of the Venice...

"Do you like my new haircut on me?" your friend asks. "I can't decide if it's flattering or not." You have a split second to formulate your response before your hesitation starts to show. You don't like the haircut as much as you favored her hair long. But you know that your friend is reactive. You know she is sensitive, having begun the divorce process recently, and you see this conversation could get- no pun intended-very hairy if you are sincere.

So, "Yes, I think it's a lovely cut on you," you answer. "It's just a little white lie," you tell yourself.  Crisis averted.  

Have you ever told a little white lie, such as the one above? It is a rare person who could say they have not sometimes, or even regularly, said a seemingly harmless lie or also strategically omitted the truth for what they deem to be a good reason. And this isn't just speculation. Solid science stands behind it.

The Verdict is In-Everyone's Telling Lies

On a nightly talk-show,  Bella M....

If you repeat only one positive affirmation to yourself today, let it be this: I will say ''yes'' to my ''NO!'

How could two such inconspicuous letters come together to create such chaos? 

Others may request your time, energy, or resources. When the needs or desires of others align with your own, the agreement comes easily. But when the time, place, or person isn't in sync, you must find a diplomatic way to say 'no.' 

Navigating 'no' can be tricky in a sea of easily offended co-workers, family members, or friends. Before we dive into some strategies to decline a request with grace, let's explore the benefits;

Benefits of Saying 'No'

Boundaries: Boundaries are essential in maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself or anyone else, for that matter. We all walk around with an invisible bubble that defines what is us and what is not us. When it comes to how we choose to spend our time and energy, the same concept applies. If someone's request or offer will cause you to...

Thousands of years ago, the famous Buddha stated, "All that we are, is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become." While this may sound like a spiritual fantasy, several fields of science have demonstrated the integrity of the 'your thoughts create reality' concept. If our thoughts hold so much power, then sifting through and shaping our habitual thoughts will be one of the most valuable practices we ever take up for spiritual growth.

Let's take a look at some of the remarkable scientific observations that substantiate the words of the great Buddha. 

Hidden Messages: How Thoughts Affect Water

Massaru Emoto is a now-famous Japanese author and researcher. Emoto formulated the theory that consciousness affects matter, specifically water molecules, and carried out years of research to demonstrate his idea.

His methods, though sophisticated, were brilliantly simple. Emoto chose various controlled water samples and then subjected...

Spiritual and Esoteric practices like Yoga, Ayurveda, and a myriad of meditation techniques have become quite commonplace in modern western culture. Yet the less recognized phenomenon of astral travel (out of body experience) could hold a hidden key to the healing and enlightenment we seek.

We've connected the dots between tending to our spirituality and how it affects the mind-body-emotion dynamic. Imagine if we could enhance that soul-work by taking a spiritual journey to see life from a broader perspective?

Astral Projection: The Fast Track to Spiritual Enlightenment?

In leaving your body for a brief time, you have the opportunity to experience firsthand the realization that your soul exists beyond the boundaries of your body.

If you care about spiritual growth and soul expression, you should put astral travel at the top of your priority list. Let's explore what the astral plane, astral body, and astral travel are, as well as how to astral project and some cautions and tips to...

Lucid dreaming is a mysterious experience in which you become aware that you are dreaming. During a lucid dream, many people report being able to manipulate and control their dreams as well, though to varying extents. Estimates show around 50% of people spontaneously experience a lucid dream during their lifetime. Many people desire to enter the lucid state while dreaming and yet find it elusive.

Why would anyone want to be aware they are dreaming? In a lucid dream, anything is theoretically possible for the dream-self. In waking life, we are subject to the laws of physics and space-time. In a dreamscape, we can conceivably travel to times long past or into the distant future. We can revisit lost loved ones or connect with other-dimensional beings and realms.  

Just imagine, what would you do if you could do anything?  Fly? Travel to the inner earth? Heal yourself? Dreams give profound access to the content of the subconscious mind. Whatever your reason for being...

Haven't we been living the 'save your life for the weekend' or 'save your dreams for retirement' life, long enough?

The truth is that the blueprint for being human includes work. Since time immemorial, humans have worked. Your ancestors are a long and diverse line of hard-working people almost without variation.  

Work is an integral part of life. When we do it right, and when it is well balanced with rest and play, work is stimulating, character-building, and value-giving.  

Yet what it is about the modern reality of work that seems to leave you sapped of your life force like a plant left unwatered by the AC vent?  

There are a few key factors that position us, as modern humans, to experience rampant dissatisfaction in our current industrialized, technological workforce;

• Non-Physical:  Work may often fail to provide an outlet for physical activity and may simultaneously block your ability to move your body naturally. If we don't move our life...

So you think you might be falling for a beautiful, whimsical Pisces? Play your cards right, and a relationship with a Pisces can be a fulfilling and intimate connection like no other. Pisceans are creative, compassionate, sensitive, and loving beings.  

Symbolized by the image of two fish positioned head to tail, this sign embodies the complex interplay between heaven and earth, life, and death. Like the aquatic symbol, those born under this sign tend to be mysterious, complex, and concerned with the nature of life beyond the mundane surface level.

To love a Pisces well, you will need to be aware of their deeply spiritual, go-with-the-flow tendencies and their need for positive attention and affection, tempered with enough space to be themselves.  Here are four tips for being in a loving relationship with a Pisces:

1) Appreciate their Visionary Nature:  If your past relationships have centered around Netflix series and nights out at the bar, you may find yourself...

What does it mean to dream about your ex?  At one time or another, most of us have experienced a rendezvous with a past lover in dream-time. Sometimes the wound of a break-up is fresh, and seeing the dream boyfriend or girlfriend we've recently cut ties with can tear that wound right open again. Other times we may revisit an ex from a time deep in our past, causing us to question whether we've truly moved on.  

To wonder what such dreams are trying to tell you is only natural. These sleep-time explorations are mysterious gateways into the realms of the emotions and the psyche. While visions about breaking up or being back with an ex again could be literal, the code language of dreaming is usually metaphorical. Before we look at some specific ex dreams, let's take a quick look at the art of dream interpretation. 

 A Quick Primer on Dream Interpretation:

1) Exercise Caution with Dream Dictionaries:  Whatever dream dictionaries promise in simplicity...

New moons typically represent NEW beginnings.

The New Moon happening on February 23rd represents that, PLUS a lot more.

It reminds me of when I was working as a personal trainer.

When a client would lose a significant amount of weight (25 pounds or more)…

I would take them through a little ritual to bring their accomplishment to their full awareness.

I would invite them to go pick up a weight equivalent to the amount the lost and carry it around for a few minutes.

After they displayed signs they were getting tired, I would have them place the weight on the floor.

I wanted them to FEEL the significance of what they’ve done.

I wanted them to EXPERIENCE just how far they’ve come.

I wanted them to swell up with pride and joy.

Their face would always light up! 

The reason I shared that is because this New Moon is a lot like that experience.

Sometimes you don’t know how much you’ve transformed because change happens gradually.

There are, however,...