Barometer: Crispy.

Beloved,

In the past few weeks, some things—things that usually don’t bother me—irked me.

Like the line at the grocery store.

It pissed me off yesterday.

I usually don’t mind.

I coined the phrase “spiritual barometer” to refer to a thing that sometimes annoys and sometimes doesn’t.

My favorite example is my brother-in-law, Bob.

When Bob calls—that is, when I see his face and number on my phone—sometimes I think, “Oh good, it’s Bob!”

And sometimes I think, “What the heck does he want?”

My spiritual barometers help me to know my mood—and, if I listen, I can see when I need to up my compassion and self-care.

Anyhow, the past few weeks my spiritual barometers has indicated I am/was a bit crispy and I am/was headed towards burn out.

So, I’m implementing, starting immediately, compassion and self-care—so, I’m asking you NOT to respond to this email.

Next week is the “off-week” of the month for the newsletter.

I’ll be back to serve you fresh spiritualigious content April 7th.

I’ll be refreshed. (I hope.)

I thank you for your compassion, understanding, and support. And, NOT emailing me this week.

Beloved, What I’m about to ask is a very big ask. You (probably) aren’t going to want to do it. But I’m still going to ask. Because it’s important. Very important. Stop hating. ✧✧✧ “No one is born hating another person… People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to

Slow Down, Good Sam

May 27, 2026

In 1973, researchers John Darley and Daniel Batson at Princeton University conducted a study based on the biblical story of “The Good Samaritan.” ✧✧✧ A little background on the story: Samaritans, in the biblical world, were not considered “good.” The phrase “Good Samaritan” would have sounded like a political oxymoron—something like “compassionate MAGA” or “patriotic liberal.” In the story, a

A Letter

May 4, 2026

Beloved, Let me tell you something I often say when counseling those mourning the loss of a loved one. “Unless you are a rabbi or minister, you shouldn’t be good at writing eulogies.” And then I add: “Let me give you a pro tip—think about writing a letter. Because you know how to write a letter and this way you

Barometer: Crispy.