I often think back to my childhood and miss how nurturing it was, how safe I felt. In comparison to how daunting adulthood can be—when all the responsibilities lie on us. I miss the house, not only cuz it was safe and full of love, but because it was substantially bigger than what I can … Continue reading The Riches of Childhood
Tag: mental health
Squeezing the Life out of the Lemon
This afternoon I was making breaded chicken. Cooking more elaborate recipes is a new coping mechanism developed by pandemic-related stress. Yes, breaded chicken is fancy in my book. I also first made challah last spring, also related to being stuck indoors and needing a pandemic-friendly outlet, as well as a toddler-friendly activity for my daughter. … Continue reading Squeezing the Life out of the Lemon
On Parenthood
The experience of being a parent is so informed by our individual experiences. Our own childhood. Our expectations of what a family looks like. Endurance. One’s threshold for sleep deprivation. One’s greater vision. The list goes on and on. One thing I look back on is how much television I watched as a kid and … Continue reading On Parenthood
Setting Intention for Self-Compassion
My initial thoughts about having a new employee observe me today were, “I hope I don’t get too self-conscious and mess up.” I noticed the incessant thoughts projecting what it would be like to train a new employee again. I observed the tension I felt in my heart. The pressure. Pressure. Like I need more … Continue reading Setting Intention for Self-Compassion
Mindfulness and the Tree of Knowledge
After Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, they saw reality in terms of good versus bad. They had a subjective opinion about how things were going. Prior to that, they were solely objective, seeing things as G-d did, living in alignment in action and thought with G-d. If we think about the … Continue reading Mindfulness and the Tree of Knowledge
Mindful versus Mind Full
Sometimes I laugh at how the word "mindful" actually sounds like your mind is full. Well it is. Just not in the way I've been used to. A full mind to me is when thoughts are darting back and forth in my mind. Many thoughts, moving very, very fast. I can't even identify all of … Continue reading Mindful versus Mind Full
Self-Talk Secret Sauce
Positive self-talk goes a long way. But the first step is recognizing we have self-talk in the first place. Then listening to it. Brace yourself, cuz if you’re like me when I first started observing my self-talk, it’s gonna sting! Man, did I know how to put myself down! And so often throughout the day! … Continue reading Self-Talk Secret Sauce
Phone Down, Hand on My Heart
How many times do I reach for my phone to distract me from an uncomfortable emotion? A lot! That’s why I’m taking yet another mindfulness course to remind me to take a breath, put my hand on my heart, and feel the sensations of the emotion in my body. Instead of being overwhelmed by the … Continue reading Phone Down, Hand on My Heart
The Road to Work is Paved with Good Intentions
This morning I did the mindfulness practice of RAIN, a mnemonic discussed by Michelle McDonald and Tara Brach, which I learned with my mindfulness instructor Yael Shy. It is used to help someone be present with their emotions. It stands for: R: Recognize A: Allow I: Investigate with Kindness N: Non-Attachment/Nurture Recognize is to name … Continue reading The Road to Work is Paved with Good Intentions
Free Time, Free the Mind
Recently someone asked me what I do on my day off. Well there’s cooking and cleaning, as well as just being and chilling, perhaps hiking. And of course, therapy! I found it quite hard to add therapy to evenings when working 5 days a week and caring for my daughter. It’s downright exhausting and far … Continue reading Free Time, Free the Mind
Mindful Nuggets 