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
Tag: emotional wellness
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
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
Opening Ourselves Up, Tapping into Our Reserves
This morning my conditioner ran out. I was about to play slip and slide to retrieve the new one, and then I realized just because pumping it didn't yield anymore, didn't mean it was all gone. I opened up the top and banged it against my palm. I had enough after all! We feel like … Continue reading Opening Ourselves Up, Tapping into Our Reserves
The Home is a Pressure Cooker
Being at home 24/7 with my husband (and our child) hasn't improved our communication skills or peace in the home. To help deal with the frustration, I remind myself that being in such a close, intimate relationship with someone is super hard. And I am lucky to be with someone who respects me and deeply … Continue reading The Home is a Pressure Cooker
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
Bright Side of Darkness
“I’m really good at taking things personally,” I laughed to myself as I put a positive spin on a self-deprecating remark. Like Monica from “Friends” was really good at giving bad massages...This specific statement was on my mind since I had just read the Conscious Discipline concept QTIP: Quit Taking Things Personally. Later that day … Continue reading Bright Side of Darkness
Empathy Is Key
They say a smile is magical. When you share it you lose nothing, but the other gains hope, encouragement, and comfort. I’d like to add to this that a smiley, friendly, empathetic remark is priceless. Last week when our water was off due to a block-wide water leak, I went back after my morning workout … Continue reading Empathy Is Key
A Photoshopped World, A Tormented Soul
This morning my mom made an innocent comment that the way my daughter was wearing her hair made her look like Audrey Hepburn. I felt uncomfortable with this, because growing up and to this day I struggle with social comparison, including with celebrities. I still remember learning in my late teens that magazines are photoshopped. … Continue reading A Photoshopped World, A Tormented Soul
The Secret to Peace of Mind: The Breath
Do you control your breath or does it control you? The answer is: both. Breath is a unique biological function in that it occurs involuntarily, but can be manipulated through conscious effort. As part of my decade-long pursuit of greater peace of mind, I have engaged in mindfulness meditation exercises focusing on the breath. This … Continue reading The Secret to Peace of Mind: The Breath
