This May Seem Counterintuitive

Columbia River Gorge

About two weeks ago a video came up in my YouTube feed that felt like coming home. The video is about the Tao Te Ching and the idea of non-action. The way to live life, the Tao Te Ching says, is to go with the flow, to wait until you receive the message from the silence to take action. Which means that sometimes you have to surrender and let things fall apart so that new doorways open for you and you can build something new. 

Many of the passages are about the power of water, one of the softest things in the universe. And how it is water that carves canyons and breaks rocks which eventually become sand. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it happens.

When I saw the video, I felt as if we’re in a time on this planet when we need to let things fall apart so we can build something new and better. For millennia we’ve been operating in the same way, pushing to accomplish things, conquering, spreading fear to control, making wealth more important than people … you know the litany. I’m not sure it’s a bad thing to let those things go. Clinging to them has only caused chaos of the last centuries.

What if we let our flawed institutions fall apart? And from the ashes built new institutions that supported people’s wellbeing instead of grasping for money, power, and prestige? What if we got rid of what I consider the most evil phrase ever used, “It’s nothing personal. It’s just business.”? What if we looked into the face of another human being and saw their soul instead of a body that’s different than ours?

“Oh, you are so delusional!” That’s what some people will say, but the way I see it, there is no saving what has been. It’s obvious that institutions are falling apart and nothing we do can stop it. Fortunately most people don’t want to stop it. They have surrendered to what’s happening. I celebrate every time a young politician, or historian, or psychic, or regular everyday human being says, “We need to stand up for each other.” I’m heartened when I see stories about people helping their neighbors or animals, or those far away in need. 

When I sit in silence, my little voice tells me not to panic. Everything that is happening is good. Let the old ways fall apart while I do what I can for my family, friends, and neighbors when they need me. It’s better, in my opinion to enjoy building human connections than to worry about what’s coming next.

How do you cope with what’s going on right now? Maybe a walk in nature is just what we all need to lift our spirits.

Blessings my friends. I hope you are well.

Lucinda Sage-Midgorden © 2025

Affiliate links below.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

PodMatch for Podcasters

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

Prolific Writers Life

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

Classic Cinema with the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. We think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.

The Gifts of Retirement: Opportunities to Follow Your Dreams

A story teller at heart and an award winning Filmmaker, Charleen continues to write and develop material in a variety of formats. She is a Producer, Screenwriter, Playwright, Actor and Director.
Over 40 years of experience as a registered nurse in the area of Mental Health, Forensic Nursing has influenced her work.

www.wingsofthewindproductions.com

Find Charleen Phelps on IMDb

LinkedIn 

http://facebook.com/charleen.phelps 

Instagram  charleenlouisephelps 

Link to my last short film Remnants    https://youtu.be/ufV290fifEU

The Gems of The Journey, With Teepa Snow

Sidartha Murjani, actor director

Jeff Webb, cinematographer 

New films: A Cup of Tea, The Phone of the Wind

Moving Mirror Productions

Producing the play, Emerge, October 2025

PodMatch

Upcoming book, Over the Edge

Prolific Writers Life

Affiliate links below.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

PodMatch

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

Prolific Writers Life

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. We think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.

Start By Writing What You Know But Keep Learning

John DeDakis (pronounced dee-DAY-kiss) is a former editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” DeDakis is the author of six novels in the Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense-thriller series. In his most recent novel, Enemies Domestic, Lark is a pregnant White House press secretary forced to make an abort-or-not-to-abort decision in a highly toxic and polarized fishbowl while dealing with an attack on the presidency. DeDakis, a former White House correspondent, is also a writing coach, manuscript editor, and podcaster.

CNN

Prolific Writers Life

PodMatch

Some affiliate links below.

PodMatch

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

Prolific Writers Life

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. We think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters: People Will Talk

My favorite movies have many layers of meaning. People Will Talk (1951) is one of those movies. It’s based on a German play titled, Dr. Praetorius by Curt Goetz and is about an unusual doctor who believes that there are many ways to help his patients get well. Which is very progressive thinking for the time period. To him, his patients, mostly women, are human beings who deserve dignity and to be a part of their own healing process.

Because of Dr. Noah Praetorius’s (Cary Grant) unusual healing methods, some of his colleagues are jealous of his popularity. One in particular, Dr. Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn) is out to prove he’s a fake and hires a private detective to dig into Praetorius’s past to see if they can dig up any nefarious practices. Part of the investigation involves Mr. Shunderson, (Finlay Currie) who is Praetorius’s mysterious constant companion. Who is he? Does he have a dark hold on the good doctor?

Another layer of the story involves Deborah Higgins (Jeanne Crain), a student at the university where Drs. Praetorius and Elwell teach. Praetorius meets her in Elwell’s anatomy class while he’s waiting on Elwell to give him the lab results on a tumor of one of his patients. While waiting for Elwell to show up, Praetorius gives an impromptu lecture about the cadaver, which would make Elwell cringe where he there. Deborah faints and Praetorius suggests she see a doctor to find out why she fainted. She, of course, goes to his clinic to see him and finds out she’s pregnant and in a precarious situation since her fiancé has died. How are unwed mothers treated? And what can she do given her living situation?

Then there is the layer of deep friendship between Prof. Barker (Walter Slezak) and Praetorius. As well as university politics. Elwell has stirred up the negative rumors so much so that at the climax of the story, Praetorius is called before a faculty committee to answer the charges against him.

If you haven’t seen People Will Talk, Celeste and I highly recommend you see it since the debate about the best medical practices is still going on today.

Red Bird: A Soothing Sign After the Loss of a Loved One

Diandra Ford-Wing is a passionate storyteller and dynamic Sales Director who discovered the healing power of writing during a period of profound grief. Growing up as an Army Brat, Diandra’s formative years were spent in culturally diverse settings, including Germany, which shaped her unique narrative style.

After the loss of her mother, Sandra, Diandra embarked on a transformative journey that inspired her debut memoir, Red Bird. Through this work, she shares her personal reflections on love, loss, and resilience, hoping to inspire others facing life’s trials. Diandra lives with her husband, Ben, and their two cherished doodles, CoCo and XuXa. When not writing, she enjoys the simple joys of life and continues to explore storytelling as a path to connection and healing.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/diandrafordwing

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/diandrafordwing

Website: booksbydiandra.com

There are affiliate links below.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

PodMatch a Dating Service for Podcasters

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. We think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.