Despite the fact that the N.C. state constitution already defines marriage as between a man and a woman, conservative activists and politicians just can't leave the issue alone. They're proposing a 2012 state constitutional amendment that would further discriminate against LGBT residents, potentially even outlawing civil unions. As...

For those of us who lean toward the pagan end of the spiritual spectrum, Beltane or May Day occurs this weekend as April turns to May. It's the mid-way point between spring and summer, and for many pagan practitioners, it's a time to celebrate the abundance of nature....

Natural disasters freak us humans out -- and understandably so. But are our reactions logical or rational? Do they have any basis in reality? I don't think so, especially after watching the after-effects of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, followed by fears of radiation poisoning from damaged nuclear...

It's just an old tree--why get excited? You may think I'm talking about the reaction to the intentional poisoning of historic trees located where Auburn University fans typically celebrate their athletic victories. But I hear this a lot from various people who just don't understand my affinity for...

It's not so easy to find an astrologer when you need one. News that our zodiac signs may have changed hit the Web like a supernova, sparked by comments from astronomer -- not astrologer, it should be noted -- Parke Kunkle. Based on what he said, it sounded...

For the record, I love my family, but the idea of gathering at the holidays with a few relatives whom I rarely see any other time of the year has deflated my Christmas cheer like an unplugged inflatable lawn ornament. Can you relate? I thought so. But then I found...

How was your Halloween? Did your costume scare the kids, and did you eat more candy than you should have? Maybe you ignored it completely, feeling the holiday too commercial, or worse still, too full of frightful monsters and ghoulish spirits. Personally, Halloween has always put me in a reflective...

How many of you have "dabbled" in another religion? Perhaps the question should be: Does the word "dabble" bother you when referencing part of your spiritual quest, even if it was only short-lived? Well, I think we'd better get used to hearing that word because, thanks to comments made by...

True spiritual leaders never wish to be known as such, often preferring to downplay their contributions or laugh them off. This certainly seems to be the case with Isaac Bonewits, Neopagan priest and author who passed away last week of colon cancer at age 60. One memorial says...

As my spiritual path has evolved, I've discovered a growing appreciation and respect for Native American spiritual beliefs and traditions. I know there are many differences among tribes, but in general, they all appear to share a reverence for the land, for animals and plants, for the bonds of community,...

By now we're all aware of just how disastrous the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill is in terms of the potential environmental and economic damage. But as a person of faith who follows a nature-based spirituality, I believe crises like these affect us at the soul level...

Faith matters most when times get tough, and that's true no matter what path you follow. I had a little spiritual trial of my own recently, and while it wasn't any fun at the time (these things never are), it showed me that I'm not just some dreamer with airy-fairy...

Are you a proud, self-made guy or gal? It does feel good to be self-reliant and independent, forging your way through this world on your own. And admit it, you do like showing off a bit to those who can't quite seem to get by without a little -- or...

I confess -- I'm an out-of-control perfectionist. I insist on "a place for everything and everything in its place." Dirty dishes in the dishwasher, dirty clothes in the clothes hamper, and I will so notice if anything on my coffee table gets moved even an inch! Co-workers comment that my...

Real quick -- think back to those activities you enjoyed as a kid. Can you remember? Maybe it was playing softball with friends in the backyard, exploring the woods, collecting dolls or beating your own personal record in a video game. Now ask yourself, are you still making time for...

It's been a rough year for many of us -- job loss, a salary freeze or a reduced income -- and it can make enjoying even the simplest of pleasures difficult. Before the economy tanked, I never worried about going out to celebrate a friend's birthday. But last week, the...

Last week I asked you to share any effective tips you've discovered for creating a more joyful life. One comment suggested "turning off the media noise machine," and I'd like to explore this further. What does that "media noise machine" mean, exactly? Am I saying television is evil? Hardly. Sometimes...

Do you wish you had more joy in your life? Do you even know what it would look like? Can you remember the last time you felt real, honest-to-goodness joy?

If you don't like your answers to these questions, don't bail just yet. It's a tough world out there....

It seems that some members of Congress and various political pundits must live in an alternate version of the United States, unaware that American prisons now safely house convicted terrorists. As President Obama discusses how to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and what to do with its inmates, some...

Are you surprised when a politician stretches the truth? Most of us have witnessed this so often that we've become numb to it. But what about a starry-eyed contestant on "American Idol?" You've just heard him or her sing about as good as a cat in heat, and yet when...