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
Tag: meditation
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
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
Are You Trying to Control Something?
Are you trying to control something? Stop! I made up this mantra this morning, when I realized how much tension I was holding in my body. I had done something that I thought bothered my co-worker and my fear of her judging me led me to judge myself. This led me to hold my breath, … Continue reading Are You Trying to Control Something?
Mommy Mode
I got dressed today, wore a nice outfit, and even put make up on. Every now and then I like wearing make up to work, particularly on the days that I feel tired. As I was getting ready to leave, I woke up my child and realized that her cheeks looked even more pink than … Continue reading Mommy Mode
Relearning Meditation at Life’s Transitions
I trained to become a yoga instructor in 2009 and 2010. I was practicing yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness meditation on an almost daily basis. Then I got injured at the end of 2011, and all that basically went out the window. Who wants to slow down and be in their body just so they … Continue reading Relearning Meditation at Life’s Transitions
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
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
Thoreau and the Sabbath
This past Friday afternoon I sat in a gazebo surrounded by trees and squirrels—immersing myself in nature to melt away the layers of effort and tension that formed during my workweek. I listened acutely for all the surrounding sounds—the birds chirping, the squirrels squeaking, the golf cart across the way beeping as it backed up … Continue reading Thoreau and the Sabbath
Mindful Nuggets 