MSI Press Blog

  Today, October 18th, marks Dhanteras , the first day of the five-day Diwali festival celebrated across Hindu communities. It’s a day of light, healing, and preparation — not just for festivities, but for resilience. Traditionally, families honor Lord Dhanvantari , the deity of health and Ayurveda, and Goddess Lakshmi , who brings prosperity and clarity. Homes are cleaned, lamps are lit, and symbolic items — from gold coins to humble brooms — are purchased to sweep away poverty and invite renewal. But in 2025, Dhanteras feels especially poignant. The world is aching for healing — physical, economic, spiritual. And this day reminds us that ritual is infrastructure . Lighting a lamp isn’t just tradition; it’s a declaration of hope. Buying a broom isn’t just custom; it’s a gesture of stewardship. In our own interfaith household, where Franciscan hospitality meets practical caregiving, Dhanteras becomes a quiet invitation: to honor the tools that sustain us, to bless the systems w...

  At midnight, everything resets—without fanfare, without finality. July 18 arrives bearing borrowed weight: the birthday of John Glenn (1921-2016), first American to circle the earth and US Senator from the great state of Ohio. I remember John Glenn—not in conversation or collaboration, but in presence. He was around NASA when I was there, preparing for his celebrated return to space at age 77. The headlines called it history. The internal atmosphere? Not quite celebratory. The flight, while advertised as an experiment to learn about the effects of space on older people (a worthy topic), it was seen by many as a publicity play. Moreover, it took a rarely available seat from younger astronauts needing experience to rise through the ranks. Glenn had already reached the stars; the rest of them were still climbing. And while his contributions were vast—undeniable—it was hard not to notice the friction. Legacy, it turns out, can be both earned and inconvenient. That year (1998), Ho...

Every Earth Day, we’re reminded of the quiet power of planting trees—the way one life can ripple outward, sheltering, nourishing, and healing. For us, it’s not just a metaphor. It’s real. When Carl , a former forester and nature photographer (and MSI Press LLC typesetter and graphic artist), died of cancer of unknown primary, he chose to donate his body to Science Care so it could continue helping others through medical research or education. That final act of generosity didn’t end with science. Every year since, on the anniversary of his death, we receive a certificate: Science Care has planted a tree in Carl’s honor. Somewhere in the world, roots are digging deep, branches are reaching skyward, and green life is quietly unfolding—because of him. Carl taught us that giving doesn’t have to stop when a heartbeat does. That love can be rooted in memory and still grow. That Earth Day isn’t just about the planet—it’s about each other. So today, we plant. We remember. We believe in growth a...

  Here are some excellent podcast interviews of Irit Schaffer, gems from the past. Enjoy! "Seekers of Meaning" - podcast presentation for Jewish Sacred Aging "Trauma, Family, Legacy, and Healing" on Inner Work podcast The Idea Crucible: Body Mind Spirit podcast: Interview with Irit Schaffer, part 1 The Idea Crucible: Body Mind Spirit podcast: Interview with Irit Schaffer, part 2 Blogtalk radio Read more posts about Irit and her book HERE .                                  Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .