I remember years ago this guy who I was dating gave advice to a girl at the Shabbat table that even if her hair was a little messed up, if she was confident, she could pull it off. Today I went to synagogue for the first time in two months. I had taken somewhat of … Continue reading Standing Tall
Author: Gila Daman
Latest release: Pandemic Poetry. Also by Gila: She Pooped, I'm Pooped!: Motherhood Year One,
First Comes Self-Love, Then Comes Marriage, and The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood.
Strengths and…Weaknesses
Things I’m good at: Working efficiently at my job.Answering patients concerns with genuine care.Being an empathetic and wise friend and coworker.Having an open heart and being friendly and kind to others. Things I’m less good at: Being patient and/or nice after a poor night’s rest.Having calm, relaxing mornings when I have to get to work.Communicating … Continue reading Strengths and…Weaknesses
SMART Art
My professional life is a lot about SMART goals. So is my personal life really. I mean setting specific, realistic goals is universally helpful. We got SMARTphones dumbing us down-—mind and soul. What’s SMART art? Really it can be many things. For me, at this moment, it means, realizing that anything CAN be art. Every … Continue reading SMART Art
Sun-Glazed Treetops
Looks like at least one artist had a fascination with the aforementioned sun-glazed treetops (my new phrase—hey, they have less calories than glazed donuts with just the same pleasure, right?) Mural at Today’s Manicure Place And when I came home, I got a great shot! Looks like when we open up to seeing certain things, … Continue reading Sun-Glazed Treetops
Art as Movement
Even visual art is movement. Looking at the trees with their colorful leaves glistening under the light of the sun, I am filled with awe. I stop dead in my tracks. I wonder, is this what painter’s feel? A desire to capture nature’s beauty? To commune with it deeply as they “recreate” it on paper? … Continue reading Art as Movement
Religion and Judgmentalism
I wanted to make Judgmental noun sound like Fundamentalism. That’s how that title happened. I don’t think religion is always fundamentalist, but it sure can be. As an outsider watching someone else “rebel,” I never thought the “rebel” had compunction. But now that I’m in the “rebel” seat, I know a “rebel” can have compunction. … Continue reading Religion and Judgmentalism
Religion is an Opiate?
Some people find shelter in religion. A place of safety from the big bad world. Comfort from the chaos. But I find it suffocating. To different degrees, at different points in my life. In the beginning, I didn't even realize consciously how difficult it made my life. One could say, I would have struggled with … Continue reading Religion is an Opiate?
Martyrdom and Motherhood
We may think that we are helping our kids by eating the burnt toast and saving the good stuff for them. But kids model our behavior, so in fact we are harming them. For they see us eat the burnt toast and learn that when one grows up one eats burnt toast. So, let’s change … Continue reading Martyrdom and Motherhood
Modeling Mom
I learned anxiety from the same person who taught me life and love; shimmying and being in awe of nature. It’s interesting how visceral our parents’ impact on us can be. I recently watched “You” on Netflix. Certainly put my own life in perspective. My role models. The role model I am for my own … Continue reading Modeling Mom
Unwrapping the Present
Today my 3 yo daughter got a rolled up cloth napkin at a buffet and was so excited to open it to see what was inside. Earlier this morning she saw an open Fed Ex truck and exclaimed, “packages!” She loves opening up packages from Amazon all the time at home. What is her fascination … Continue reading Unwrapping the Present
Mindful Nuggets 