Turning Toward Light

Each day we have choices; we exercise free will.  The question is – as always – what direction do we take? Which way do we turn? It’s easy to be distracted, distressed, to focus on all that troubles us, on what we think requires our critique, even our disdain.  Yet there is another voice that calls us, and an affirmative reality that beckons us to turn toward it --- if we have eyes to see.  In the third week of Advent at Unity, songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke on Turning Toward Light, musically illumined by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Gratitude or Bust!

While happiness is commonly thought of as a result of achieving a goal or acquiring a coveted treasure, new research and timeless wisdom both agree that true joy flows from an underlying state of gratitude. An exploration of what humans have learned, and are learning daily, about thankfulness and the benefits available to each of us through its practice.  Join songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke, grateful to be joined by songbird Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

River of Grace

In the ordinary course of our lives, we find an established rhythm, daily exchanges, quid pro quo, this for that.  But there are times when we connect to an ever-flowing stream, a river of grace, that fount of peace that surpasses our normal understanding. This Sunday at Unity, opening to grace; thoughts by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with music by Doug and Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

The Little Things Are the Big Things

We are rightly and naturally concerned with our lives’ major decisions, the big pieces of the puzzle.  Still, most of our time is spent in the small moments that add up, one by one. And these small instances are, in fact, our very lives, as we experience them. The little things are the big things! This week at Unity, a moment-by-moment reflection on how the small pieces fit together in crafting lives of purpose and joy. Join songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke and his closest musical companion, Sallie Spirit, for this lesson in ‘small is beautiful.’

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Growth Is Optional

A bumper sticker reads, "Change is inevitable, growth is optional."  How true!  Our lived realities continue changing – with or without our assent!  And we can often be reluctant to embrace the growth that would bring us more meaning or more joy.  Come grow with us this Sunday with a talk exploring how personal growth opportunities abound – whether we invite them, or not – by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke and music by Doug & Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Understanding --- and Beyond

Every one of us tries to make sense of our lives, our work, our communities, our world.  We try – sometimes without notable success – to understand the hearts and minds of our fellows, or even our own loves, motivations, and judgments.  In a season of less-than-sane political and social conflict, how can we understand – and even forgive, or love – those whose understandings seem so very different from our own?  These are the questions raised this week at Unity, by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke, with his ever-understanding music buddy, Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Got Balance?

There aren’t enough hours in the day!  With increased daylight and scant sleep, we seem to be crying out for – if not an extra allotment of time (36-hour day, anyone?) – a sense of balance in the time we do have. With the year, the hemisphere, and the world heating up and the competing priorities of family, work, friends, gardens, etc., thoughts on seeking and finding balance – a Father’s Day talk by Doug Benecke, with harmonious music by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Like A Seed 

Like gardens being planted now, our lives contain many seeds; but it turns out that a seed does not – and surely cannot – reveal how it will manifest in its mature form.  What seeds are we planting, both consciously and unconsciously?  What will grow in our lives as a result?  How can we prepare the ground of our own being for the serendipitous sprouts of what may come?  A talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with continuing musical cultivation by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Opening Day

Each spring, baseball celebrates Opening Day. For all of us, baseball fans or not, spring is a chance for a reset and a resurgence. What if we could approach every day as Opening Day? What if we used each morning as an opportunity for a deeper awakening?  Spring has sprung!  At Unity of North Kitsap this Sunday, thoughts on its renewing possibilities by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke accompanied, as always, by the musical tones of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Ordinary Ecstasy

The renewing powers of spring are evident to us now, if we have eyes to see.  Like seeds sleeping underground, like buds dormant on a bare branch, our vital energies lean toward a time of blossoming.  What we are fed by, in our own practice and in community, is that transcendent connection – what we may call ordinary ecstasy – that links us, over and over, to an awareness of a greater presence.  The relationships between ecstasy, empathy, and community, explored in a talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke accompanied by the musical joys of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.