“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; ... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at
Continue reading » Review: Daring Greatly by Dr. Brené Brown
“Compassion is a skill that we get better at with practice. It just takes a little imagination.” —Karen Armstrong, theologian There are many prescriptions for combating poverty, but we can’t even get started unless we first examine our assumptions, and take the time to envision what the world feels like for families living in poverty every day. It's time to
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Guest post by Leo Babauta, Zen Habits Lately I’ve been using the image of an empty cup to find a more peaceful state of mind. One of the most peaceful, meditative states is when you’re just open to noticing what’s around you and happening in the present moment. You’re just receiving the world around you (yourself included), soaking in the light, colors,
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I am no longer waiting for a special occasion; I burn the best candles on ordinary days. I am no longer waiting for the house to be clean; I fill it with people who understand that even dust is sacred. I am no longer waiting for everyone to understand me; It’s just not their task I am no longer waiting for the perfect children; my children have their own
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Guest post by Leo Babauta, Zen Habits As I write this, I’m sitting in cloud-filled rainforest at a retreat in Ecuador, surrounded by the calls of thousands of tropical birds and creatures, dense lush greenery, and some of the most open-hearted human beings I’ve ever met. Before I came here, I had some anxiety about meeting everyone, worried what they might
Continue reading » The Way to Finding Powerful Human Connection
You are free to be responsible for your life right now, but do you want to be? Are you ready to give up your attachment to your story? The problems you perceive in your life are projections of the internal conflict: "I want but I cannot have." If you would allow yourself to have what you want, or if you would stop wanting it, this conflict would
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Do you spend much time sitting in front of a computer, on a plane, in a car? If so your hips may be locked up which effects your mobility, but worse than that it may be causing you undue stress and fear. An article by Jacob Devaney, How to Release Stress Stored in Our Bodies, does an excellent job explaining this concept as well as providing things you can
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While performing research for a mindful parenting guidebook I am in the midst of writing, I have had the opportunity to come across many well-written, educational, and helpful books on introducing and teaching mindfulness to children and adolescents. A Still Quiet Place, by Amy Saltzman M.D., is a book I would like every parent, caregiver, grandparent and
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This delightful book - Mindful Movements – Ten Exercises for Well-Being – was originally designed as a stretching break between periods of long sitting meditation. Written by Thich Nhat Hanh, Mindful Movements became so popular, the ten exercises are now an integral part of his retreats. The exercises are based on both yoga and tai chi movements, creating
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Beautiful You author Rosie Molinary passionately encourages women—whatever their size, shape, or color—to work toward feeling wonderful about themselves despite today’s media-saturated culture. Drawing on self-awareness, creativity, and mind-body connections, Molinary incorporates practical techniques into a 365-day action plan that empowers women to regain
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Parenting from the Inside Out, by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell, is a beautifully written book addressing the importance of attuned and loving parent-child relationships as well as the importance of understanding how our own experiences as a child impact and influence how we parent. Illuminating ground-breaking research in the field of “interpersonal
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For any of you who are parents – or may become parents – you may be wondering: How do I raise a loving, resilient and responsible child? If you are like me (I’ve raised three blessed children), you may wonder: did I do a “good job”? And if there are grandchildren in the picture, what about our role with these young people? How can we help? How can we be
Continue reading » The Conscious Parent by Shefali Tsabary
Every tradition and many guidebooks have teachings about how to be happy. Yet that question remains one of life’s great mysteries. As a beginning to understanding happiness, start by asking your self the following questions and then journaling what comes up for you. 1. Write your definition of happiness. Are you living it? If not, are there habits or
Continue reading » Are You Happy? Consider These Five Points
Khw?ja Shams-ud-D?n Muhammad H?fez-e Sh?r?z? – known by his pen name H?fez – is considered one of the greatest Sufi poets of all time, renowned for his lyrical, mystical, healing poetry. For me, the poem quoted above is deep and beautiful and may be an invitation to let go of our expectations of others – of our sense of being owed something by someone –
Continue reading » Unconditional Love
Have you ever wondered how it might be possible to personally and easily change your mood – or internal state? From feelings of mild sadness to deep depression and loneliness, our emotions and body state can, at times, severely impact our enjoyment of daily living. Living life to the fullest is, often, only a dream for some people who suffer from a
Continue reading » Book Review: Mindsight by Dr. Dan Seigel
Forever Relevant I have recently read, once again, A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg. This book touched me deeply - as it did years ago when I first read it. With grace and clarity, Anne Morrow Lindberg touches on and explores problems that trouble the human heart - giving the reader form and shape to possible lessons and learning on simplicity,
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Have you ever heard yourself say: “I can’t stand this pain any longer!” (And meant it)? Perhaps you experience your perspective on your world as colored by discomfort - a constant ache or tightness that is pressing in and making life difficult to enjoy or even to manage. It might even be that you are a victim of a serious accident or illness with pain being
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Haven’t we all been there? “I’ve GOT to get this done!”… “What’s wrong with me?”… “I can’t believe I’ve put this off for so long!” “I’m such a procrastinator!” If any of these expressions sound familiar or speak to you in any way, please read on… I found myself saying these words recently and feeling, as a result, guilty and ashamed. It has been months
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Daily habits are the best way to make change happen and by doing something every day for three weeks, it becomes a habit. I invite you to try 21 Days to Eating Mindfully: Your Guide to a Healthy Relationship with Yourself and Food and ease your way into a lifetime of healthy choices and habits.
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A BOOK REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION I have just finished reading, for the second time, The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling by Stephen Cope, who is the director of the Institute for Extraordinary Living at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. Have you ever asked yourself: "Am I doing the work I am called
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