This Sunday I finished the remote project I had begun in January. I very much identify with the work I do, as well as with my reality in general. This past week and a half of transitioning to the "new normal" has been challenging for me. And completing this two-month side project makes me feel … Continue reading New World, New Projects
Author: Gila Daman
Registered dietitian nutritionist who's learned you are more than what you eat—you are your thoughts. Certified yoga and Pilates instructor awakening hearts, as well as spines.
Author of three books based on 3 different stages of life:
The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood,
First Comes Self-Love, Then Comes Marriage,
and She Pooped, I'm Pooped: Motherhood Year One.
How The Torah Portion Relates to Current Events
This past week's Torah portion said "Every man whose heart inspired him...and everyone whose spirit motivated him..." donated materials to the tabernacle (Exodus 35:21). This reminded me of how people are being generous now with their time, their resources: shopping for quarantined friends, placing calls to those who may be lonely at this time. The … Continue reading How The Torah Portion Relates to Current Events
Differentiating Between My Inner Child and My Actual Child
When we started social distancing last week, I was confused. We decided on no playdates, but neighborhood walks seemed okay. We kept our distance when speaking to people, even my toddler daughter did. There was one time though that as we were chatting, a child picked up a bug, which my daughter soon after picked … Continue reading Differentiating Between My Inner Child and My Actual Child
Bird's-Eye View of Life
In a previous post I mentioned having a bird's-eye view of life and stepping back. Amidst all the craziness going on, perhaps this is a time we can do that—to take a step back and evaluate what was going well in our normal routine and where there was room for improvement. Where possible, think of … Continue reading Bird's-Eye View of Life
Working Different Muscles
This morning I woke up feeling sore in my legs and hips. I went for an outdoor jog yesterday and worked muscles that I hadn't worked in a while, since my usual mode of exercise is swimming. It reminded me of the importance of cross-training—doing a variety of exercises, as opposed to just one type. … Continue reading Working Different Muscles
Ten Lonely Years
Being home with this change of pace reminds me of when I sat shiva for my father's death. As per the rules of shiva, I couldn't leave the house for seven days. But there was a difference. We were visited by hundreds of people that week. Reality set in after the throngs of visitors left. … Continue reading Ten Lonely Years
Voice in My Head
This morning I was thinking more about how I crave positive feedback (See previous blog, A Few Words Provide Big Encouragement) and how really what I need is to acknowledge myself. I closed my eyes and thought of how I want to help people find clarity and hope when things are tough. I thought about … Continue reading Voice in My Head
The Five Stages of Grief and Their Relevance to Today
When my father passed away 13 years ago, I entered a period of mourning. Lifelong, in fact, with ebbs and flows. I had learned about the five stages of grief by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in psychology class, but experiencing it for myself was a totally different ballgame. I started off for a year or so in … Continue reading The Five Stages of Grief and Their Relevance to Today
Through a Narrowing, Comes Expansion
Yesterday my mom asked me if she should make a video of herself giving a talk about Passover. She has presented Jewish education talks over the years, but never having been a formal teacher, she is still finding her voice in informal education. I said "Go for it! We are all living virtually now—and virtually … Continue reading Through a Narrowing, Comes Expansion
A Few Words Provide Big Encouragement
In my book The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood, I have an essay entitled, "Adulthood: Where's the Confetti?" where I discuss my challenge with not receiving positive feedback and adulation like I did when I was a student. I continue to struggle with this, yearning for praise and positive feedback for what I do in … Continue reading A Few Words Provide Big Encouragement
