Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Trainer Kelly Bryson MA, MFT, is the author of the best selling book, Don't Be Nice, Be Real: Balancing Passion for Self with Compassion for Others. The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) is a non-profit organization that supports the transformation of how people speak to themselves and one another through Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a language of life founded by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D. The CNVC works with its network of Certified Trainers to teach and support NVC in over 65 countries, facilitating empathic conversations for conflict resolution, education, leadership, and social change. Learn more: cnvc.org

With cherished images from around Southern California, especially San Diego county, my home since 1970. Music: 1) Wake Up Jacob by Prince Albert Hunt’s Texas Ramblers, 1929 2) The Wild Wagoners by Jilson Setters, 1928 3) Sail Away Lady by “Uncle Bunt” Stephens, 1926 4) Ragtime Annie by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, 1926

The Prayer of Saint Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. ------ Music by Max Dennert Video produced by Gisela Sommer

Our hike on Mother's Day morning started out misty, but by mid-day we had blue skies. The hills in Topanga State Park, north of Santa Monica, were covered with wildflowers. It was so quiet and beautiful––a perfect Mother's Day.

The Huntington in San Marino is a magical place. My favorite parts are the Chinese and Japanese Gardens of which this video is comprised. I have dedicated it to my Chinese Falun Dafa practitioner friends who had to leave their homes in China to avoid being persecuted for their belief by the communist regime. I know they miss their homes and families, and I hope they can return some day. The Huntington is a private nonprofit collections-based research and educational institution founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington. Huntington had a special interest in rare books, art, and gardens. The Botanical Gardens are a delight. More than a dozen principal gardens cover 120 acres of the 207-acre grounds. Highlights include the Chinese Garden––Garden of Flowering Fragrance; the Desert Garden; the Japanese Garden; and the Rose Garden. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens HOURS: Wednesday through Monday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Tuesdays. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California 91108 huntington.org The song, “Missing the Motherland,” is part of a CD titled, Awakening From the Dream, composed and performed by Falun Dafa practitioners. Learn more about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China. www.falundafa.org faluninfo.net

I made this short video in honor of my Dad, Max Stock, and in appreciation of his amazing wood-inlay art. This was his hobby after his retirement in the early 1980s, and it gave him and all of us so much joy. He lived most his life in Tübingen, Germany, and I added some photos of Tübingen and the surrounding area. Video produced by Gisela Sommer

Nature and beautiful music can help us still our busy minds, open our hearts, and give us a sense of sacredness and transcendence. Mt. Helix Park is the "crown jewel" of East San Diego County with its historic amphitheater and nature preserve built in 1925. The outdoors theater is home to annual free community events such as Christmas caroling and Easter sunrise service, astronomy nights, children's camps, and more. It is located at 4905 Mt. Helix Dr. in La Mesa, California, 91941. The name of this song is "Giving Children a Dream” and was composed by a Falun Dafa practitioner and published on a CD called “Awakening From the Dream.” The copyright belongs to the musicians who made this CD possible, but you are welcome to use this music in a non-profit setting. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient energy practice from China that millions around the world have made a part of their lives. It consists of two main components: gentle exercises and meditation, and self-improvement centered around truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. People who practice Falun Dafa often find it to be life-changing. Many experience dramatic health benefits as well as newfound energy and mental clarity. Learning Falun Dafa is always free. Find more information: www.falundafa.org

Music Composed by a Falun Dafa Practitioner. Nature and beautiful music can help us still our busy minds, open our hearts, and give us a sense of sacredness and transcendence. The music in this video is from a CD titled “Awakening From the Dream” and was published by Falun Dafa practitioners in Taiwan. The title of this melody is "Dispel the Mist". Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient energy practice from China that millions around the world have made a part of their lives. It consists of two main components: gentle exercises and meditation, and self-improvement centered around truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. People who practice Falun Dafa often find it to be life-changing. Many experience dramatic health benefits as well as newfound energy and mental clarity. Learning Falun Dafa is always free www.falundafa.org Copyright to the songs belongs to the musicians who made this CD possible, but you are welcome to use this music in a non-profit setting.

I captured some of the best autumn scenes in Southern California –– Malibu Creek State Park, Castellammare in Pacific Palisades, and San Clemente Canyon in San Diego. Music composed by a Falun Dafa practitioner. Nature and beautiful music can help still our busy mind, open our heart, and give us a sense of sacredness, connectedness and transcendence. The music is from a CD titled “Awakening From the Dream” and was published by Falun Dafa practitioners in Taiwan. The Copyright to the songs belongs to the musicians who made this CD possible but you are welcome to use this music in a non-profit setting. The song is called: Petals of Peace. "We come with purity and innocence. But injustice leaves us confused and scarred. Darkness has fallen upon us. But from darkness emerge many a lotus. Petals of Peace, so pure and so innocent. Petals of Peace, so just and so righteous. Petals of Peace glow brighter each day. For we are the future of the world." Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient energy practice from China that millions around the world have made a part of their lives. It consists of two main components: gentle exercises and meditation, and self-improvement centered around truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. People who practice Falun Dafa often find it to be life-changing. Many experience dramatic health benefits as well as newfound energy and mental clarity. Learning Falun Dafa is always free www.falundafa.org

We were listening to a brass band at a shopping mall playing Christmas carols when Oscar decided to join in to everyone’s amusement. Oscar is my daughter's dachshund; she adopted him from a shelter about 3 years ago. He usually howls along with the fire engine siren, but this was the first time he "sang" in a band! He’s got talent!

In October 2020, during the height of the lockdown, the Hot Club of Bird Park performed and made us all feel wonderful. You can find them at www.Instagram.com/hotclubofbirdpark/

Thank you Max! So wonderful!

Clinton Davis calls himself an old-time folk musician. He grew up in rural Kentucky and studied music at UCSD.