A major lesson that I believe has been pounded into the collective consciousness over the last few years has been our complete lack of control over our lives. No one wanted a global pandemic to shut down the world as long as it did, no one wanted to still be wearing masks three years later, …
Tag Archives: Mindfulness
Room for Optimism
Back at the new year, I wrote about resolutions and how I find January a depressing time to try to commit to a large goal or purpose for the coming year. I was drawn to indigenous traditions I had heard of that used the Spring Equinox as a time to set goals and intentions, which …
In Praise of Winter
Crisp, cold, stunted days make me long for the light. The cold and the dark push me indoors, into my warm house and cozy clothes. The busy activity of summer naturally falls aside, and I rest. There is a time for everything – a time for action and a time for repose. My thick, heavy …
Weary
The sky has been gray, gray, gray this past week in the PNW, and I always forget how much that affects me. I have been feeling glum, anxious, restless, and undone. I feel this mounting pressure of Christmas on the way, and knowing how different it will be this year makes me feel even more …
Musical Thoughts
I’ve been reading a very nerdy book on neuroscience lately, called The Brain’s Way of Healing, by Norman Doidge. It’s been fascinating on many levels, both professionally (in my role as a physiotherapist) and personally. Our bodies and our brains are so amazing! In one part of the book, he was discussing the question “Where, …
Look Up
My family went camping this past weekend. Far away from the city’s lights, the night sky was inky black. We got lucky with a cloudless night, and the stars were popping out of the sky. The kids had (finally) fallen asleep in the camper, and my husband and I got to sit out by the …
On Walks
Surprise encounters with deer, turkey, bison and horses. Smells of pine, pollen and manure. The startle of finding clean-picked bones in the brush. Sounds of birdcall, a few passing cars, fewer planes overhead. The invigorating feel of the breeze, scattered raindrops, warm sunbeams. The stimulation and inspiration of wisdom pouring through my earbuds. The warmth …
Do Not Fear
All anyone is talking about is COVID-19. At my work, I’ve had 14 conversations about it every day with every patient who comes in. It’s all over the news, all over social media. 4oz Purell is sold out on Amazon, Costco is out of Clorox wipes. People are FREAKING OUT. Even though most of my …
Breath Out
2019 was not my favorite year. I was very excited thinking about 2020 coming up, and then I got laid off at the end of November. We’re now looking at the tightest budget our marriage has ever faced, with paying for daycare and making less at my new job. 2020 took on a grim hue. …
This Joyful, Messy Life 