Yesterday was Solstice, some call it Yule. Last night I lit the last candle on our menorah in the dining room as my wife recited a prayer in Hebrew. A decorated tree waits in the living room, glowing softly as it waits a few days until Christmas, which is followed every year by Kwanza – […]
Toward Brighter Days Read More »
Meditation and mindfulness are both wildly popular and widely misunderstood. While I am not an expert on the subject, I have personally reaped great benefits from a daily discipline in the past. But I became complacent and wandered away from my practice. For reasons that remain a puzzle to me, I have been slow to
Sometimes I look and do not see. Often it’s because I’m hurrying or have my eyes in one place while my mind is elsewhere. I can look at something without really being there. And that’s when I miss out on some of the real beauty in this world. So, maybe this post is about slowing
I saw this quote recently – “You’re not going to master the rest of your life in one day. Just relax. Master the day. Then just keep doing that every day.” I immediately liked the quote and the sentiment behind it. But after a little pondering, I thought I’d re-write it, and since no one
Master this Moment Read More »
Please don’t be fooled by the cute photo – this post isn’t just “warm and fuzzy!” Kristin Neff is a researcher on the topic of self-compassion and author of “Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.” She believes that there are three steps toward greater self-compassion. The three steps or aspects of self-compassion
Who says who you are? Well frankly, technically, lots of people can name you, label you, try to define or identify you. We tend to do that to people whenever we speak… “This guy on the bus… My friend called the other day… Somebody said that… Everybody knows that… Diabetics have more…” But the labels
How we live today creates our future. As ripples radiating across the surface of still water when a pebble breaks through, some of today’s decisions and actions will influence the rest of our days. Our decisions can send ‘ripples’ into the lives of others, too. Let’s live today in the present, bringing all of our
Today Makes Tomorrow (for better or worse) Read More »
Some unhappiness is caused by real loss, and such unhappiness tends to become more bearable as time passes. If you feel unhappiness of this sort today, my hope is that you will find solace as time passes. There is another type of unhappiness or distress which is caused by aspects of our lives being out
It’s out there. It’s all out there. Whatever you’re looking for is absolutely out there somewhere. And you will surely find that which you earnestly seek. So if you’re looking for evidence of unfairness in your world – behold! There it is. If you’re looking for an excuse – ta da! There it is. If
Seek, and You Will Find Read More »
Be on the lookout for life’s treats because they ARE there… …the quiet cooing of a mourning dove … a scarlet maple leaf adrift in a puddle …a brisk breeze that calls the trees to bow and bend …the cryptic etchings of the frost on a pane of glass They’re simple treats meant to delight
Find a thing of beauty, share it with a friend, share it with a stranger and watch your worries end. Feeling like the world is a little less friendly today? Let’s take action to fix that. Rather than silently fear or worry, let’s take the first step to break any tension and cast out the
Formula For a Feel Good Friday Read More »
Just for today… just for this moment…Let’s live in the moment and enjoy it without guilt or judgment about any other time. Let’s agree to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. Sure, some of our past behavior hasn’t been perfect (but isn’t “perfect” a myth anyway?) Isn’t it possible that your past self was
if you’re thinking you “used to” do some of those things, why the heck did we stop?! Let’s make it a priority to use our creativity before the week is over – better yet, do it today! Notice your mood when you do.
Create and Feel Great! Read More »
The world around us can seem overwhelming in countless ways. The world within us can bring us peace – and MIGHT even change the world for people in our paths. On days when I intentionally try to manage my inner world (usually to avoid worries) I’ve noticed that sometimes the people around me seem to
Just For This Moment Read More »
There’s an amazing other world that often goes unnoticed as we live our lives, here below. Yes, it’s the world over our heads that has always been there, but has often gone unappreciated. We get busy, we keep our eye on the ball (or the phone.) We have to watch our step or we could
