I watched a video about low self-esteem recently by psychiatrist Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski and it made me realize how my low self-esteem is for sure a real thing—even if there's no official diagnosis for it. And I've been more aware recently of how much I need external validation to fill the internal void inside … Continue reading Greater Self-Awareness in Stepping Back
Author: Gila Daman
Latest release: Inner Piece: Decluttering a Soul. Also by Gila: Pandemic Poetry, She Pooped, I'm Pooped!: Motherhood Year One, First Comes Self-Love, Then Comes Marriage, and The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood.
Tuning In: One’s Inner State
I like connecting with others and am eager to understand them and what they are going through. This empathy with others is sometimes at the expense of empathy with myself. There are times when my interest in others is purely my caring, good-natured spirit, and there are other times, when, subconsciously, I am seeking to … Continue reading Tuning In: One’s Inner State
Filling Your Cup in the Morning
I remember first seeing Richard Carlson's book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff..." and how he said he would wake up at 5:00 in the morning before the rest of his family so that he could relax, meditate, and just be with himself. I saw this about 10 years ago, way before I was married, and … Continue reading Filling Your Cup in the Morning
We Are All in This Together
I remember the morning of Thanksgiving in 2001, I was a junior in high school, visiting a friend in NYC (one of my first times walking the streets of Manhattan!). Whenever we passed anyone, I would greet them with "Happy Thanksgiving." I felt excited to be able to greet people for a universal holiday that … Continue reading We Are All in This Together
Cherishing the Outdoors During Social Distancing
I'm very grateful that social distancing is happening during the rebirth of spring. The world is in crisis, but the trees are glowing in their greenery and flowers of red, orange, and pink are blossoming abundantly. It truly raises my spirits in this difficult time. The past few days my tot and I have been … Continue reading Cherishing the Outdoors During Social Distancing
Pause on the Treadmill
Another aspect of having a national day commemorating the Sabbath is that when the wheels of one's community stop turning, it is easier for one to rest. I sense this now with many of us working from home and the change of pace with social distancing. There is the stress of all being on top … Continue reading Pause on the Treadmill
The Sabbath: Recognizing Our Creativity Comes from G-d
Shabbat is about communal mindfulness and living in the present moment, and it is also about recognizing G-d as the Creator of the world. Perhaps it is the awe that people feel when pondering this notion of G-d as Creator that stops them in their tracks and leads them into that mindful, present state. In … Continue reading The Sabbath: Recognizing Our Creativity Comes from G-d
The Sabbath: A National Day of Mindfulness
This afternoon, spending time with my toddler daughter in nature, I started humming to myself. I made up a tune inspired by the greenery and flowers that surrounded me in the beautiful spring weather. I felt so present, so peaceful. And I thought about how these magical moments that I come upon feel like Shabbat: … Continue reading The Sabbath: A National Day of Mindfulness
Outdoor Workouts Abound As Gyms Close
I miss the gym, but I am enjoying seeing more people on the street—jogging, going for walks. It's lovely, especially with spring blossoming around us. I'm also enjoying my outdoor jogs, which I hadn't done for quite a while. When you work out outdoors, you get the endorphins of the exercise, as well as the … Continue reading Outdoor Workouts Abound As Gyms Close
Mindfulness In These Times
When I was in labor, when the pain medication wore off and I was still waiting for my epidural, I meditated as hard as I could. I focused on each moment as if my life depended on it, I geared up mentally to endure the pain that would come with each upcoming contraction. For those … Continue reading Mindfulness In These Times
Mindful Nuggets 