I started writing the year after my father passed away. I had written poems and songs since I was a kid, but these writings were different. They expressed a voice inside of me that I only became introduced to after the sudden passing of my father in the Fall of 2006. I had always been … Continue reading TBT: The Backstory to My Story
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.
Evolution of My Blog
My first blog was notsowideawake.com. (Well, if you don't count the blog I did for a brief period several years before that...) Then theroadmapendshere.com, reflecting the title of my first book—which was actually a compilation of the blog posts from notsowideawake.com. Then I created firstcomesselflove.com, reflecting the title and topic of my second book. At … Continue reading Evolution of My Blog
The Unpredictable Nature of Creative Flow: Fear I Won’t Have Anything to Blog About
Sometimes I fear that I won't have new insights and therefore will be left with nothing to blog about. Usually I end up having insights and/or experiences within a few days of this fear, and when I don't, I just accept (or try to!) that creative flow is unpredictable and has a mind of its … Continue reading The Unpredictable Nature of Creative Flow: Fear I Won’t Have Anything to Blog About
Resistance to Yoga, Then Once I Start I Don’t Want to Stop
Often I feel too tired, unmotivated to do my morning stretches/strengthening exercises. In the event that I simply do not have the time I reschedule for another part of the day, or simply miss doing them altogether. But those mornings when I feel the resistance and then choose to do it anyway, I inevitably get … Continue reading Resistance to Yoga, Then Once I Start I Don’t Want to Stop
Fresh Perspectives From Yoga Practice
One of the benefits of doing yoga, or performing any stretching and strengthening exercises, is the mental shift it provides. When I do yoga in the morning, it provides a foundation for my day—not only with regards to helping me align my spine and engage my core in my day-to-day tasks, but it also leads … Continue reading Fresh Perspectives From Yoga Practice
Open Palms, Receiving Heart
As I sat in meditation—as per my previous post—I kept my palms open, resting on my lap. I focused my intention on letting go and receiving from my environment, rather than seeking to act on and control it. A few moments later I more deeply realized: life is a gift, my daughter, working with my … Continue reading Open Palms, Receiving Heart
Yoga Poses Precede Sitting Meditation
In my yoga instructor training, I remember learning that yoga poses were part one of yoga, part two was sitting in meditation. First you relax, let out your jitters, get flexible—then your body can sit comfortably for long periods of time and meditate. Well, this morning I experienced just that. I had done yoga for … Continue reading Yoga Poses Precede Sitting Meditation
A Yoga Instructor’s Journey Through Injury and Pregnancy
Seven years ago, just a few weeks after I began teaching a yoga class to my community in NYC, I incurred a back injury that got worse and worse and I had to stop teaching. I couldn't even do 75% of the poses myself. Both realities were very frustrating and weighed heavily upon me. I … Continue reading A Yoga Instructor’s Journey Through Injury and Pregnancy
Different Way OR Different Shape Entirely
My 14-month-old daughter has a caterpillar toy where each section is a different shape and color. The goal is to match the shape to the correct section. Easy for mommy, possible yet still somewhat challenging for her toddler daughter. As I was observing her frustration with the harder shapes, I thought of this as a … Continue reading Different Way OR Different Shape Entirely
Blogging with Mom Brain
I still have mom brain when I speak to people but somehow when I blog my words come a bit easier. Recently I was wondering why. When I blog I access a deeper part of myself. My inner voice. A part somewhat less impacted by the mental exhaustion of bearing and raising a child. Writing … Continue reading Blogging with Mom Brain
Mindful Nuggets 