Mindfulness at home.
Some life events cause a distinct chasm – on one side stands “before,” on the other side “after.” The deeper the chasm, the more desperately we my try to get back to “before.” Chronic illness, a break-up, addiction, the death of a loved one. When we can’t accept a situation…
Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary trauma, burn-out, vicarious trauma, or empathetic strain is an occupational hazard for therapists, health-care professionals, parents and other care-givers. It’s a catch-22 that only deeply caring people are susceptible to compassion fatigue, and only deeply caring people become care-givers. Compassion fatigue is a physical, emotional or…
Apparently birds that survive cyclones fly right into the heart of the cyclone and the energy of it lifts them up above the turmoil. My teacher at meditation class tonight was talking about our human tendency to get caught up in a cyclone of thought, of suffering and of wanting…
Just for now – want nothing Don’t wish to be someplace else Be where you are Don’t wish for more energy, or less Watch your breath rise and fall and watch your energy settle to where it needs to be Stop planning and remembering let thought disperse Like autumn leaves…
Want to see something really cool in 3D? Take a look at real life! Look mindfully today at a tree, a train, or a teapot. Notice the depth and gradation of color – wow…. no special glasses required! Spending too much time on screens, whether it’s your lap-top or a…
Last year I worked with a young man who just ended a three-year relationship. I watched as he went through the process of desperately holding on, blaming himself, lashing out, and feeling completely shattered and rejected. As a therapist I am able to stay detached from the suffering and let compassion…
Through the joys and sorrows, nothing has illuminated my parenting as much as my mindfulness practice, especially when parenting teens and young adults. The best part of mindful parenting is the increase in your belief that you are a good parent, that you are competent and you can make it through…
I’ve heard it said that resentment is like giving yourself poison, expecting to kill your enemy. I like this analogy, as it really does sum up the effect of resentment on your mind, your nervous system and even your loved ones who may be in the line of fire of…
Here’s the scenario: You have your shopping list and you’re out the door, prepared to be an efficiency king or queen. Then, oops, you need gas. Long line number one. You get through the gas line, but now you need to merge on to the interstate on the other side…
Sometimes life leaves us hanging in limbo. Maybe waiting for an acceptance letter, a return call from a loved one, or news of a promotion. You might feel some frantic energy around something even more anxiety provoking, like the results of a medical test, or waiting for a family member to…
Uninhibited, care-free, silly ….. When was the last time you let yourself feel one of these sensations? Think toddler’s dancing, teenagers skateboarding, young adults running in the rain, a karaoke performance at a wedding reception that has you laughing so hard you start crying…. In honor of Labor Day Weekend, a…
Want what you have?! What a thing to ask you to do at the start of the school year! How will you function without the latest iPhone, backpack, fall fashions, new car to cart the family around? I once read a quote from the founder of a legendary department store…
