Nonviolence is a form of spirituality Spirituality takes many forms in people’s lives. Teny Oded Gross, executive director of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, finds spirituality in working with young people who had been members of gangs. “We are surrounded by spirituality and beauty if we allow ourselves to see it,”…
Author: Rita Watson
Grandpa's Garden from "Gram's Wisdom" Projo
Grandpa was a man of many loves — his family, his garden and his fig tree. The house on Beach Street had a large front porch overlooking the water with a backyard extending to the next street. A garden bloomed in the middle of the land. On the first Saturday in May the pastry shop…
Start a new "Happy Gratitude Tradition" Projo
Newspaper link: Say thanks, take risks to enrich your life BY RITA WATSON/ Special to The Journal The legend of the Easter Bunny evolved from the early 1500s with tales of rabbits laying eggs and hiding them in gardens. Eventually parents made nests out of straw hats, placed them in their gardens, and filled them with…
Gram's kitchen: She was the "Pizzagaine Queen"
Rita Watson: At Easter, Grandma always held the culinary throne Published on 06 April 2014 Grandma’s kitchen was a sacred place where she tightly held her culinary secrets. Essentially she was “a little of this and a pinch of that” type of cook. While she often let us roll out the dough for her homemade…
How to help children overcome tantrums, Projo
Rita Watson: Help children overcome tantrums … Published on 31 March 2014 We have all witnessed a child’s tantrum in a supermarket, pharmacy, or even walking along the street. It might be over a candy bar, a toy, wanting to get out of the stroller, or just wanting to go home. What is a parent to…
Spirituality: Professor teaches practice of gratitude, ProJo
Rita Watson: Salve Regina professor teaches gratitude Published on 24 February 2014 Gratitude has been in the health news because of scientific research looking at ways one might behave in a grateful manner, even if we are not feeling grateful. Paula Martasian, Ph.D., has been teaching a course on gratitude for close to seven years…
Ways to chase away the winter blues, ProJo
Rita Watson: Ways to chase away the winter blues March 25, 2014 For a winter that does not want to leave, the reality of seasonal affective disorder, and the blues that many feel after Valentine’s Day, it may be time for a pair of rose-colored glasses. A Twitter follower, author and Atlanta teacher Lisa Arends,…
Gratitude is the secret to keeping love alive, Projo
Gratitude is the secret to keeping a lifelong love alive Keeping a relationship vital is about choices — the choice to love, to be grateful, and to forgive. While it is easy to be grateful during happy times, who wants to be grateful during tense and trying times? Although it seems unfair, learning to be grateful…
Of falling December stars and ever lasting love, Projo
Rita Watson: Of falling December stars and everlasting love/ Italian kisses We grew up believing that meteorite showers were gifts from the heavens. For each star that fell into the arms of Mother Earth, we wished for love and kisses from our Prince Charming. The December Geminids would have glistened from the wrap-around porch…
The Zeppole, a San Giuseppe Day treat, Projo
Rita Watson: Sweet memories of St. Josepth’s Day Published on 09 March 2014 The Zeppole, a San Giuseppe and Italian Father’s Day treat Because Saint Joseph’s Day is Father’s Day in Italy, when growing up I spent the night before the feast at our grandparents’ house to celebrate. The next day, March 19, I helped at the…