I recently had a conversation with a relative of mine about why some people try to finish other people's sentences when being told a story, while other people sit and listen and simply take in the story. This morning I had the following insight: A few years back I bought the book Drawing on the … Continue reading Being Present: Activating Your Right Brain
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.
What is a Yogini?
For years I, like most others I know, have associated yoga with doing impressive yoga poses. But every time I strive for this goal, I get hurt. This is because, as a fellow health professional and I were recently discussing, yoga in the Western world focuses on the physical aspects of yoga while leaving out … Continue reading What is a Yogini?
Procedural Memory and Prayer
This past Sunday I attended the entire morning prayer service (Shacharit) for the first time in a while. I went to recite Kaddish, the memorial prayer, since it was my father's yahrzeit (anniversary of death). It has been a while since I prayed the entire morning service. I started in middle school and did so … Continue reading Procedural Memory and Prayer
Channeling Suffering Into Creativity
I read an insightful blog post on turning suffering into creativity by Dr. Eric Perry. I find I resonate and learn from many of his posts. The link to this particular blog post is here. I wrote the following in a comment to this blog post: "I have gone through suffering and have also come … Continue reading Channeling Suffering Into Creativity
Why Today is Significant
Today is the day before tomorrow and tomorrow I am traveling back to my childhood home for a memorial for my father. He passed away 13 years ago, and every year since family and friends from the community have gathered to remember him and honor him with words of Torah—that part is my brother. He … Continue reading Why Today is Significant
Positive Affirmations—Where Were They When I Was Growing Up?
I am currently entering round 17 of embarking on greater self-compassion. I've studied it, practiced it, but for some other reason or another—boredom with the practice, lacking time to commit, or caring for my toddler daughter—I have not sustained it long term. The greatest break was when I incurred a back injury in 2011, and … Continue reading Positive Affirmations—Where Were They When I Was Growing Up?
Tearing a Paper, Tearing a Heart
I agonized for hours over tearing open that package of wipes. The Jewish holiday of Sukkot started Sunday night, and until Tuesday night, those who observe the holiday more stringently are careful not to tear. (Along with some other practices they refrain from: going to work, driving a car, using electricity—the list goes on...) Then … Continue reading Tearing a Paper, Tearing a Heart
Jewish New Year Reboot
"Beep. beep," exclaimed my 21-month-old as the oven timer went off. Whenever she hears the oven beep, she repeats it. She's been doing this for several weeks. One time when she was being a bit unruly (as a toddler is apt to be) I even decided to set the timer with nothing in the oven, … Continue reading Jewish New Year Reboot
Free Time and Mommyhood
Before I was a mom, if I spent my relaxation time editing my resume or applying to jobs, I would be angry at myself for missing out on relaxing. I should have danced or did yoga, or something else. But as a mom, free time is a commodity and taking painstaking care to edit my … Continue reading Free Time and Mommyhood
Patience IS a Virtue: Professional Development and Personal Growth
I recently started working on a new nutrition website and Instagram page with my friend who has training in coding and digital marketing. She wants to plan Instagram posts ahead of time; organize photos based on themes, etc—something I have always wanted to do, just didn't have the time or resources available. I also didn't … Continue reading Patience IS a Virtue: Professional Development and Personal Growth
Mindful Nuggets 