Wonder and Whimsy

Our Backyard Has Become a Nature Sanctuary

Recently, our backyard has become a nature sanctuary. My husband and I live in the suburbs, close to downtown. There are some things about my neighborhood that aren't always ideal. For instance, sometimes our neighborhood can be a little noisy and wild. But one thing I love about my house is that we have a… Continue reading Our Backyard Has Become a Nature Sanctuary

Contemplative Practice, Practices for Cultivating Love, Self-compassion, Self-Love and Self-Directed Kindness, Spirituality and Love

Contemplative Practices: A Post for Everyone

One of the most loving and powerful things we can do for ourselves is develop consistent contemplative practices. The phrase contemplative practice may sounds religious or mystical to you. And it can be both of these things, but don't worry. Even if you are not religious and do not practice any faith, contemplative practices are… Continue reading Contemplative Practices: A Post for Everyone

Healing Difficult Emotions, Peaceful Thoughts and Affirmations, Self-Love and Self-Directed Kindness

Peaceful Thoughts for Both Wonderful and Miserable Holidays

Dear Friend: Whether your holidays are wonderful or miserable, here are some peaceful thoughts for you during this time: Peace to you. ***** If you found this post helpful, please consider sharing on social media.

Body Love and Body Kindness, Healing Difficult Emotions, Overcoming Self-loathing and Anxiety

Month Two of Beautiful Breathing: More Cool Things Happen

Two months ago, I realized I had erratic breathing patterns. This is something I have struggled with my whole life, but it has gotten worse in the last couple of years. So in April, I began practicing intentional breathing exercises every day, three times a day. My breathing exercises are really simple. I just breathe… Continue reading Month Two of Beautiful Breathing: More Cool Things Happen

Poetry, Uncategorized

Permission to Live a Slow Life

"Permission to Live a Slow Life" You were not meant To live a life of Rushing Fretting Grasping Forcing, A wheel hooked up to a crank That churns all day and night, The Crushing Infinite. NO. There is a space of cumulus clouds. The scent of lilac, The thrill of touch, And surrender to silence… Continue reading Permission to Live a Slow Life

Healing Difficult Emotions, Overcoming Self-loathing and Anxiety, Self-compassion, Self-Love and Self-Directed Kindness, Uncategorized

Compassion: A Way Forward Through Suffering

Compassion: It is one of the most important, underrated, and meaningful gifts we can give to ourselves and to others. Compassion and Suffering Let me define compassion. Compassion comes from the Latin words cum (with) and patior (to suffer). This etymology suggests that compassion means “to suffer with” or to be “with suffering”. When we… Continue reading Compassion: A Way Forward Through Suffering

Wonder and Whimsy

To the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches I’ve Killed

Dear Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: I am sorry. I am sorry for . . . All the times I have burned you to a crisp because I was not paying attention. The times I disrespected the sacred art of grilled cheese cuisine and instead of devoting all of my attention to crafting beautifully, evenly-toasted sandwiches, I… Continue reading To the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches I’ve Killed

Overcoming Self-loathing and Anxiety, Self-compassion, Uncategorized

The Healing Power of Staying in The Moment

Recently, I have discovered the healing power of staying in the moment. I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time worrying.  For example, I worry about a choice I made months or a year ago. And I worry about how something is going to turn out five years from now. Or… Continue reading The Healing Power of Staying in The Moment

Healing Difficult Emotions, Overcoming Self-loathing and Anxiety

What to Do When You Feel Anxious

This post discusses how you can use your imagination to help yourself when you feel anxious. Imagine I would like you to imagine that you are walking in the woods, and you come to a stream. The water is low, and you want to cross to the other side. Luckily for you, there is a… Continue reading What to Do When You Feel Anxious

Self-Love and Self-Directed Kindness

That “I’m Not Good Enough” Feeling and the Compassionate Mindset

Most of us experience a brief and passing feeling at one point or another that we are not good enough. Sometimes, however, the worry that we are not good enough becomes persistent and recurring. It causes anxiety, self-loathing, and chronic low self-confidence. One cause of the "I'm Not Good Enough" feeling is something I call… Continue reading That “I’m Not Good Enough” Feeling and the Compassionate Mindset