Growing up I yearned to be invited to the gatherings of the "cool crowd." Sometimes I was, and sometimes I wasn't, and that made it all the more difficult and sad for me. Recently I got a last-minute invite to Shabbat lunch from a family whom we've been trying to have over for a while. … Continue reading Feeling More Grounded Socially
Tag: mindfulness
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
Inner World, Outer World: Quieting the Mental Chatter
All that noise, that stuff It's always there, it's just a matter of my awareness But to think that when I don't know it it's not there is naive And to be anxious about it when I do know it is foolish Rather— Just acknowledge that things are always crazy in some ways and choose … Continue reading Inner World, Outer World: Quieting the Mental Chatter
Reciting Morning Blessings in Nature
There is a sequence of Jewish prayers in the morning. I grew up saying them, continued into my young adulthood and then stopped due to having new responsibilities as a young professional as well as feeling a need to let go of my childhood religious rituals. But I still from time to time say these … Continue reading Reciting Morning Blessings in Nature
I’m Only Human
While doing yoga this morning, the following thought popped into my head: I am human. This was an invitation to not seek out perfection. An offering to ease my anxiety; to slow life down; make my expectations more realistic. Maybe it was inspired by my sore toe tendon (yes, injuries can be inspiring, in that … Continue reading I’m Only Human
Evaluating Early Signs of Perfectionism
I corrected a misspelling in my blog draft before exiting. Why? Somewhere deep down I had the paranoid thought that someone might see it and judge me for it. First of all, no one is going to see a draft. Secondly, it is a draft, so even if they could see it, they would understand. … Continue reading Evaluating Early Signs of Perfectionism
Squirrels in Nature
Last Sunday morning started off with me anxiously getting as much reading about emergent curriculum done as possible. Which is ironic, since a main point of emergent curriculum is to observe mindfully and feel the richness that life has to offer—while rushing to get things done feels the exact opposite. After a morning of anxiety, … Continue reading Squirrels in Nature
Emergent Curriculum: A Passion Within Me Re-emerges
One of the main reasons I decided not to minor in education in college was because I didn't want to have to follow a set curriculum. Had I known about emergent curriculum, I may have rethought this decision. As I am learning from Emergent Curriculum in Early Childhood Settings, by Susan Stacey, there is a … Continue reading Emergent Curriculum: A Passion Within Me Re-emerges
The Art of Non-Doing
At the end of my yoga sessions as I lie in savasana, I let go of the tension in all parts of my body and think, "Remember, things can happen WITHOUT you using so much force." I strive to incorporate more non-doing into my life. Obviously, we have to put in our share of effort, … Continue reading The Art of Non-Doing
Our Zen Den
I have been having a lot of fun in setting up the rooms of our new home. It started out empty and I am determined to keep it as close to that as possible: decluttered, bare. Store our things in the closet, a few pieces of furniture—not too much to take away from the space … Continue reading Our Zen Den
Mindful Nuggets 