“You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” - Robin Williams

Williamsburg’s cobblestone streets are seeped with revolution, resistance, and restlessness. While the ancient buildings tell a story of the budding birth of a nation, they also tell a story of ghosts, spirits, and specters. 

Haunted Colonial Williamsburg - Copyright US Ghost Adventures

Indigenous people around the world have faced countless challenges in protecting and practicing their religions and beliefs. Indigenous beliefs are a part of Indigenous religions. Religion and beliefs are separate from Indigenous traditions, however. There are religious traditions within Indigenous cultures, and non-religious traditions within Indigenous cultures.

Shifting times indeed.

Autumn is always a season of change.  It is also a season of hope, of sharing, of community, of sharing stories and taking time for reflection.

All still true as times continue to shift.

Music is a fine companion for all that, through all the changes. That is still true, as well.

The separation of church and state is a founding principle of the United States of America. It is an important cornerstone of democratic governance of the American constitutional framework. 

It is important to the human right of freedom of religion.

In the northern hemisphere, the 11th month of the year conjures images of everything fall festival. Cities and small towns share their Gilmore Girl-inspired events amidst colorful foliage, pumpkin overload, and orchards upon orchards of apple picking. 

Like years, seasons, and hormones, everything comes in cycles—and that includes elections. 

I live to eat. I travel for food. But there’s a higher calling out there, and you’re about to discover it (and, subsequently, make some travel plans of your own). Yes. It’s true. There’s a whole WORLD of Chocolate Museums (swoon).

Autumn: change in weather and in landscape can happen overnight.

Autumn’s changes may also come in more subtle ways. There are seasonal changes such as turn of color in leaves, and more permanent ones, such as those caused by autumn storms.

Autumn is often a time of change in areas of life beyond the natural world, adjustments of all sorts. It is also, in many parts of the world, a time for political change.

From varied ways love may be expressed to courage to take good journeys to reflection on hope through shifting times, musicians consider all these things, too.

In my teenage years, I remember clearly going to a friend’s house and finding her Dad in his favorite chair, resting his eyes in front of the television. I remember thinking, why is he always napping whenever we’re over? Little did I know then that his napping wisdom was far superior to mine. 

Sure, when we’re tired, we might rest, but for many of us, that zeal to be productive usurps our consciousness and a voice of should screams, “there’s something else we should be doing,” so the rest often falls by the wayside. Bob was right. 

The plight of religious refugees is a pressing issue in today’s world. Refugees often face harrowing journeys and uncertain futures. Some flee to neighboring countries for hope of sanctuary, even if temporary. Some are forced to leave home but are forced to stay in their homeland, as they do not have the resources to leave. Some make it to Western countries and willingly face unfamiliar circumstances and cultures just to feel safe.