My initial thoughts about having a new employee observe me today were, “I hope I don’t get too self-conscious and mess up.” I noticed the incessant thoughts projecting what it would be like to train a new employee again. I observed the tension I felt in my heart. The pressure. Pressure. Like I need more … Continue reading Setting Intention for Self-Compassion
Month: January 2022
When Past and Present Collide
I had a dream last night which featured characters from my current life in Atlanta merged with those from my childhood. The Atlanta doctor who delivered my daughter 4 years ago had a house that was a remodeled version of a notable landmark on my childhood bus route in Westchester, NY. There was a last-minute … Continue reading When Past and Present Collide
Self-Love in the Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book)
Being raised as an Orthodox Jew, the Siddur (Jewish prayer book) played a prominent role in my education. As a young adult, I paid even closer attention to the words of the prayers and their historical context and significance. In later years I became less by the book, literally, and didn't recite them regularly. Instead, … Continue reading Self-Love in the Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book)
Mindfulness and the Tree of Knowledge
After Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, they saw reality in terms of good versus bad. They had a subjective opinion about how things were going. Prior to that, they were solely objective, seeing things as G-d did, living in alignment in action and thought with G-d. If we think about the … Continue reading Mindfulness and the Tree of Knowledge
Mindful versus Mind Full
Sometimes I laugh at how the word "mindful" actually sounds like your mind is full. Well it is. Just not in the way I've been used to. A full mind to me is when thoughts are darting back and forth in my mind. Many thoughts, moving very, very fast. I can't even identify all of … Continue reading Mindful versus Mind Full
Self-Talk Secret Sauce
Positive self-talk goes a long way. But the first step is recognizing we have self-talk in the first place. Then listening to it. Brace yourself, cuz if you’re like me when I first started observing my self-talk, it’s gonna sting! Man, did I know how to put myself down! And so often throughout the day! … Continue reading Self-Talk Secret Sauce
Phone Down, Hand on My Heart
How many times do I reach for my phone to distract me from an uncomfortable emotion? A lot! That’s why I’m taking yet another mindfulness course to remind me to take a breath, put my hand on my heart, and feel the sensations of the emotion in my body. Instead of being overwhelmed by the … Continue reading Phone Down, Hand on My Heart
Nature Walk
Water glistening over rocksYou said you’d meet me by the docks But I preferred to go aloneTo where the Wind Whispers and the Sun has Shone
The Road to Work is Paved with Good Intentions
This morning I did the mindfulness practice of RAIN, a mnemonic discussed by Michelle McDonald and Tara Brach, which I learned with my mindfulness instructor Yael Shy. It is used to help someone be present with their emotions. It stands for: R: Recognize A: Allow I: Investigate with Kindness N: Non-Attachment/Nurture Recognize is to name … Continue reading The Road to Work is Paved with Good Intentions
Free Time, Free the Mind
Recently someone asked me what I do on my day off. Well there’s cooking and cleaning, as well as just being and chilling, perhaps hiking. And of course, therapy! I found it quite hard to add therapy to evenings when working 5 days a week and caring for my daughter. It’s downright exhausting and far … Continue reading Free Time, Free the Mind
Mindful Nuggets 