Hooray Weekly

Go inside the private sanctuary of my backyard garden with me and enjoy the story I tell of both disruption and peace. I promise you a nugget of gold in the story (which I hope) provides guidance in our tumultuous times. You've got eight minutes. Spend it with a friend. Remember, I love you. I really, REALLY love you. Lee Ann For More Love, Listen and Share these Gems from the Hooray Weekly Garden: Moments: Good Night Hug Diary: June 26, 2018 Moments: The Phone Call

News is hard. Hugs are easy. Or are they? Join me as I tell you about a recent day-in-the-life-of-Lee Ann story. I know that the assaults upon us individually and communally have been great lately, so stick close together.  Listen to people who love you.  (I am one of them!)  And never forget why you are here on this Earth.  You and I are here in this small speck of time and space to love.  That is my mantra.  You know that by now if you've been listening to this podcast. Enjoy this short story. And remember, I love you.  I really, REALLY love you. Lee Ann P.S.  If you liked this story, you might like these! Moments: Good Night Moments: 6th-Floor Wave Moments: The Phone Call

For this podcast episode, I (Lee Ann) sat down with Rabbis Nina Beth Cardin, Edwin Goldberg and Rhoda Harrison and discussed the upcoming Passover holiday. While my guests were from different denominations and backgrounds, it was delightful to learn of the similarities with which they all viewed this particular Jewish holiday, as well as their commitment to the same social justice issues that ring across the millennia and their openness to the varieties of Seder experiences. Rabbi/Cantor Rhoda Harrison is the first voice you’ll hear today…She has her Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from the Baltimore Hebrew Institute at Towson University.  Her dissertation investigated the accommodation of liturgy to modernity. Not only is she a smart and compassionate rabbi, Jewish educator and liturgist, but she is also a cantor with a glorious lyric coloratura voice.  Currently, she serves at Har Sinai as Education Director, but at the beginning of her career she was Har Sinai’s cantor. She also served for years as the rabbi and

Today is a story about family life and the odd, wonderful gifts that come out of the dysfunction. Lee Ann mines the rituals of family and gives us a beautiful ode to love, with music by John Hopkins. It's got a little something extra at the end, so enjoy this seven-minute love story that will both delight you and bring a wee smile to your face.   ----- Thanks to John Hopkins of JustJohn Music for his musical handiwork that wraps the story up like it's being finished with a bow. The musical piece at the end of today's story was something that John sent to me several years ago after a phone call that ended with our family's signature ritual.  He's a witty wonder and talented artist/producer.  Please check out his work HERE. If you enjoyed what you heard, please subscribe and share this upbeat and positive podcast with others.  That's how love is spread--one person at a time! And remember, Love. Changes. Everything.

We get help from our mystic and poet friends today as we celebrate love and passion: love of self, love of others and love of God. Lee Ann is joined in this episode by poet-lawyer, Andrea Grill. Enjoy this poetry in all its naked beauty! The Works and Their Poetry:   The Hope of Loving by Meister Eckhart   What keeps us alive, what allows us to endure? I think it is the hope of loving Or being loved.   I heard a fable once about the sun going on a journey To find its source, and how the moon wept Without her lover’s Warm gaze.   We weep when light does not reach our hearts.  We wither Like fields if someone close Does not rain their Kindness Upon us.   Love Does That by Meister Eckhart   All day long a little burro labors, sometimes With heavy loads on her back and sometimes just with worries About things that bother only Burros.   And worries, as we know, can be more exhausting Than physical labor.   Once in a while a kind monk comes To her stable and brings A pear, but more

What story or stories are you telling yourself right this moment about yourself, your past, your future? What kind of tales are you spinning about others? What myths do you hold about the world and the current state-of-affairs? Today, Lee Ann looks at story and shares how she switches the script in order to tell better stories about herself and those around her. From the Episode: Two Birds (Lee Ann Hopkins)   There are two theologies that arise-- Two birds taking flight from the clay below. One rises in song, One with broken wing.   The poor one pecking its fallen self as the songbird hears only the call of God's whisper: "Oh you are good-- You, oh lovely creature!"   Divinity offered mirrored words to the limp: "Darling, you are holy; fly my sweet, my innocent!" To which he finds a worm in the apple.   Then the showers come and the showers go. Will they reek destruction or will there be flowers and a rainbow? That, my friend, all depends on where your bird's story begins.   Announce

Happy New Year!  Lee Ann has a short, SHORT story to get you started off right. And no surprise here--the story is about love! The story is called "Love 2.0", and the script is below to read again later!  May self-love be your starting point this year as you disentangle irrelevant, old and useless programs like low self-esteem, grudges and resentments.  Love 2.0--author unknown Tech Support: Yes Ma'am, how can I help you? Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process? Tech Support: Yes I can help you. Are you ready to proceed? Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first? Tech Support: The first step is to open your heart. Have you located your heart, Ma'am? Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running? Tech Support: What programs are running Ma'am? Customer: Let's see, I have past-hurt, low self-esteem, grudge, and resentment running

The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic. It's a must-read as a child AND as an adult. Margery Williams (also known as Margery Williams Bianco) wrote this children's book in 1922 about a stuffed rabbit and his desire to become real. The subtitle "How Toys Become Real" points the reader and listener to the truth. That truth conveyed through a small bunny in a boy's life can change all of us. Listen closely for the wisdom of Skin Horse and the Nursery Magic Fairy as Lee Ann reads this timeless story to you and yours. Share it with the little ones and the BIG ones in your life. They will thank you... And if you want a copy of the book for your kids or yourself, here is an excellent version from 1958: The Velveteen Rabbit (or How Toys Become Real) -- Margery Williams (with original illustrations by William Nicholson) **** Have a story suggestion, ideas for Hooray Weekly, requests or recommendations for improvement? Or maybe simply something nice to say? Send your thoughts to Lee Ann by clicking HERE!  Thank you!

Feeling a bit anxious in these dark and tumultuous times? You're not alone! Listen in as Lee Ann shares two stories from her Icelandic travels that speak to the hope and light that we all need. It is the season of hope, light and expectation after all! From Lee Ann: Dear, dear Hooray Family and Friends, May you know that my love and gratitude are with you during these holidays (whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa or Christmas or something altogether different and unique)! In fact, I hope you know that I send you love every day, not just the holidays and celebratory times. You are special indeed. (Do you know that to be true? If not, I must continue to remind you.) I am coming up on an anniversary...It will be a YEAR of publishing the Hooray Weekly in a few weeks! Yahoo! Thank you for listening and sharing the podcast with others. There is much on the horizon for this podcast and this community of progressive seekers. I will be doing interviews of spiritual teachers, peace-makers, poets and l

"Yes" is a superpower in our world of "No!" This meditation is a musing about my favorite word. Find out why! Maybe you'll learn to like it as much as I do. The wonderful quote Lee Ann referred to in this episode: "Living is not a private affair of the individual. Living is what [man] does with God's time, what [man] does with God's world."--Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel A Shameless (well, one could argue with that!) Plug: ...for You Are All That: Creating a Great Life with Affirmations and Hooray for You: 365 Get-Up-and-Go-Go Quotes for Your Year-- "These two books by your friend, host and teacher, Lee Ann should be on every Kindle and in every stocking to start the New Year off right!"--a reader who wants to be anonymous Can I just say how much I dislike self-promotion in our 24/7 Branded World? (Everything is a brand with no substance anymore--okay that's me ranting...) Anyway, I may not like self-promotion, but I do love you and hope that you will pick up copies of these books for yourself and those yo

We fall prey to the myth of "Otherness" especially in hard times. The concept of "otherness" grows out of our pain and suffering. And if we aren't aware of our pain points, we will blame others for what ails us. Today, Lee Ann offers an answer to this "otherness" problem we seem to be having in the U.S. and the world at large, using one of Jesus's stories from the Gospel of Luke. You'll recognize the lawyer that prompts Jesus to tell this story and you'll be surprised (maybe) by what you learn. Additional quote about hate and otherness: "I imagine that one of the reasons people cling to their hate so stubbornly is because they sense once hate is gone, that they will be forced to deal with pain."--James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son, 1955 Resources for today's episode: Brene Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone Amy-Jill Levine, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi Amy-Jill Levine, The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and

Grab a chair, pillow or some place comfy! Today, Lee Ann guides us through a simple and relaxing meditation. Take 10-15 minutes for yourself. You've got the time. Stop and take a few moments during all the chaos that life seems to throw at you. You deserve it.   Other Meditations You'll Like: While the other meditations in this series are not guided meditations like today's offering, they are musings about particular and relevant topics for these tough times. Try these recent "meditation" episodes: Meditation on Power and Powerlessness Meditation on Gratitude Meditation on Friendship        

Today and everyday, the good life is about gratitude, right? You bet! In this episode, I consider this all-encompassing thing we call "gratitude" during that time of year when many of us--most of us--sit at overflowing tables, bow our heads and give thanks with our friends and loved ones. May you find within it something that will both lift you and challenge you.   Three Points, a Poem and a Host of Gratitude Quotes   The Three Points: We have an infinite capacity to take things for granted. Gratitude is the acknowledgement that we are not alone. Gratitude affirms that there is goodness in the world.   i thank You God for most this amazing (a poem by e.e. cummings) i thank You God for most this amazing day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes   (i who have died am alive again today, and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth day of life and of love and wings;and of the gay great happening

To say that "you're in for a treat" is an understatement when it comes to hearing the extraordinary storyteller, Kristin Pedemonti. Today's "Moments" episode is a story that all of us can relate to in some form or another. I don't want to say anything about it because hearing the story is "it"... (Production Note: The sound on today's podcast is a bit "tinny" because we were recording remotely. Just think 'old time radio' and forgive me, would ya!? It's worth it, I promise!  I'll be back with my usual microphone next week!) About Our Guest, Kristin Pedemonti We become the stories we tell. As a Storyteller/Speaker, Trainer and Presentation Skills Coach, Kristin serves clients and audiences around the world to connect across perceived differences, communicate their life experiences and share their stories in a clear, compelling and connective way. She has presented in 20+ countries across 4 continents so far. Currently, she serves as a Storytelling Consultant at the World Bank where she serves staff to tell

Which of these two do more damage: power or powerlessness? Given today's environment in which we live, it's important to know. Listen in and find out if you are, in fact, powerful. Prior "Meditation" episode(s) in this series: Meditation on Friendship Announcement(s): Next week, Lee Ann invites Kristin Pedemonti, storyteller extraordinaire, to share a favorite story, "Superhero Grandma." Kristin called in with her story and it's here for you to enjoy on November 13th! Stay tuned as Lee Ann will be the guest on "The Podcaster's Life" and also, "In Her Voice" in the next couple of weeks. Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and review this podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We hope that you carry love and power into your week. Remember, Lee Ann loves you!

We are a people in need of friendship--not only with others, but with ourselves. Today, Lee Ann explores friendship and belonging in this episode. Because this topic is so wide and so deep, we'll return to this subject again. You'll find the notes for the episode below.  Please don't forget to reach out to me, Lee Ann, with your ideas and your comments HERE.  I'd love to hear them. You will most definitely get a response from me. Thank you for listening, subscribing and sharing. Remember, I love you. I really, REALLY love you... Two Quotes on Friendship "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." --Woodrow Wilson "Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else." --Eleanor Roosevelt Three Gems about Friendship from Our Youth The reason a dog has so many friends is that she wags her tail and not her tongue. A friend is a person who can step on your toes without messing your shine. A friend is a person who listens attent

Today we hear a story, a children's song, a poem and some wisdom about the meaning of spirituality. Spirituality is not a "to-do" in our lives, but more like a "TA-DA"! We make the invisible, visible in our lives. Join Lee Ann as she shares her weekly dose of love. And by all means, please feel free to write and share your thoughts. You can reach her by clicking HERE.   Resources to Renew: Poem found in the Reconstructionist's Mahzor by William Saroyan, Aremenian-American playwright and novelist:   In the time of your life, live—so that in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life your life touches. Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and unashamed. Place in matter and in flesh the least of the values, for these are the things that hold death and must pass away. Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption. Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy

Love is what is real. We’re here to love, to bind up the broken-hearted, to feed and heal the sick, to be in relationship with one another, to cherish this glorious planet that we are lucky enough to inhabit. We’re here to be the love revolution. And yes, just like the F-bomb, love is a four-letter word…L-O-V-E, and it packs one heckuva punch. There’s more power in it than anything else on this earth. Hear Lee Ann's take on what this world needs more of. She's going all "red-head" on the topic. You'll want to listen and share. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and review Hooray Weekly on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for showing HW some love. We send it right back to you! Want to connect with Lee Ann for guest appearances, interviews, workshop opportunities or blogging? Click HERE for her email! More Off-the-Cuff segments can be found below: Off-the-Cuff: Re-Souling of America    

A voicemail. A call. A father. And a daughter. May you find your own story within this short story from Lee Ann. Here's one listener's response to the story: In "The Phone Call", a 9 minute piece of storytelling art about a father and daughter, we receive the whole world -- with its great compassion, great love, and yes, great humor... Please enjoy...and make our day by subscribing to this podcast. Thank you! If you like this story, you might like these short stories from the Moments series: Moments: 6th-Floor Wave Moments: Crayolas...and Peace? Moments: Itsy Bitsy Moments: Enzo Moments: Party Girl FREE EVENT!  Join us! Lee Ann will be doing a You Are All That workshop based on her book at Sacred Circle Books on Sunday, October 15th from 2-3 p.m.  She has much to add to that small book's contents, so come and get all the updates on her thinking and affirmation practices! (Address for Sacred Circle Books--919 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.)  Buy her book, You Are All That: Creating a Grea

Yom Kippur is the holiest of days in the Jewish calendar year and it will occur this week.  Find out why Lee Ann is talking about "choosing life" during this holiest of fast days. Announcement: Lee Ann will be doing a FREE workshop based on her book, You Are All That: Creating a Great Life with Affirmations on Sunday, October 15th from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Sacred Circle Books,  919 King Street,  Alexandria, VA.  Come say "hi" and learn something you may not already know.  Or maybe just get a refresher! Quotes from today's episode: “In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall practice self-denial; and you shall do no manner of work, neither the citizen nor the alien who resides among you.  For on this day atonement shall be made for you, to cleanse you of all your sins; you shall be clean/pure before Adonai. It shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for you and you shall practice self-denial; it is a law for all time.”  Leviticus, chapter 16 “We fast to prove, to ourselves as much as to anyone