spirituality « Yellow Brick Road: Your Path to Heart & Health

Look at Us

By Debra Basham, on March 19, 2025

Last night at the North Ft. Myers Bluegrass Jam John dedicated Vince Gill’s song “Look at Us” to our new friends Steve and Brenda Finley and John and me. We both celebrate wedding anniversaries of over 50 years this week. Our 59th is today. March 19 is also the wedding anniversary of other music friends, […]

RIP Danny

By Debra Basham, on March 18, 2025

I visited with some deep friends (if not long friends) yesterday. I met them two years ago while biking in Port Charlotte and their sweetest little dog grabbed my heart and would not let it go. Of course, she was the magnet, but my friends are the glue.

The purpose for the visit was […]

True Compassion

By Debra Basham, on March 17, 2025

Sandhill cranes are known for their lifelong pair bonds, making them symbols of devotion and faithfulness in some cultures. While I often hear them in the area (sometimes on Sandhill Boulevard) out riding my bike, yesterday morning I was gifted a very close encounter with a pair. These birds are very used to humans.

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Connecting the Dots

By Debra Basham, on March 14, 2025

Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted – a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.

~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

Training has […]

The Whole World

By Debra Basham, on February 20, 2025

Last week we heard a Vince Gill song that haunts me. The title is The Whole World.

I finally found the lyrics online this morning after a very busy bike ride with a soulful download of information and insight I might call A House Divided. I wish I had stopped to grab my phone […]

Do What’s Possible

By Debra Basham, on February 9, 2025

Father Tom Weston says, “We do what’s possible.”

It has been what I call a wonder-FULL week. It was Divine Timing having Stacey arrive in Florida on the evening of the day my sister completed her transition in Michigan. I was delightfully distracted doing things we love: riding bikes, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and spending […]

Take Another Look

By Debra Basham, on January 30, 2025

Below is a Yellow Brick Road from October 28, 2020. The theme is floating back through my consciousness and might be helpful for others at this time again as well.

Need to Do

You must cherish one another. You must work — we all must work — to make this world worthy of […]

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

By Debra Basham, on January 22, 2025

Today is my birthday.

As my birthday ritual I did an audio Mudita meditation with John Orr from an online retreat day April 11, 2021. Mudita is a Sanskrit and Pali word that means “sympathetic joy” or “appreciative pleasure”. It’s a Buddhist concept that involves feeling joy for the good fortune of others.

The […]

It All Matters

By Debra Basham, on January 16, 2025

While statistics are not people, and people are not statistics, it is staggering to hear numbers related to losses. A few days ago the updates on the California fires included: 40,300 acres burned; more than 12,000 structures destroyed; at least 24 people have died; over 100,000 people have had to evacuate.

As the fires […]

Sunshine, Sidewalks and Cul de sacs

By Debra Basham, on January 1, 2025

One of the most wonderful things about being a snowbird is winter biking — New Year’s Day riding in low wind with clear skies is heavenly. Thankful for sidewalks. Especially thankful for all of the benefits of being either in a canal community or an intentional residential community designed where there are cul de sacs.

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Yellow Brick Road: Your Path to Heart & Health