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: mindfulness
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
Self-Love in the Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book)
Being raised as an Orthodox Jew, the Siddur (Jewish prayer book) played a prominent role in my education. As a young adult, I paid even closer attention to the words of the prayers and their historical context and significance. In later years I became less by the book, literally, and didn't recite them regularly. Instead, … Continue reading Self-Love in the Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book)
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
Nature Walk
Water glistening over rocksYou said you’d meet me by the docks But I preferred to go aloneTo where the Wind Whispers and the Sun has Shone
Mindful Nuggets 