I took a moment during my busy day working at the preschool and thought about how much I have grown. Gave myself credit for the work I have done in being more self-compassionate and less full of self-doubt and judgment. I still have a long way to go, but I have improved over the years. … Continue reading Wisdom Grows with Age, the Ageless Soul
Tag: spirituality
Back to the Basics: the Prayer Book
The Jewish prayer book is called a siddur. I learned the Jewish prayers in religious day school growing up, and recited them religiously (pun intended) through my mid-twenties. Then life started to get more complicated. In grad school I remember the tension I felt about having to rush through my morning prayers to get to … Continue reading Back to the Basics: the Prayer Book
Procedural Memory and Prayer
This past Sunday I attended the entire morning prayer service (Shacharit) for the first time in a while. I went to recite Kaddish, the memorial prayer, since it was my father's yahrzeit (anniversary of death). It has been a while since I prayed the entire morning service. I started in middle school and did so … Continue reading Procedural Memory and Prayer
Positive Affirmations—Where Were They When I Was Growing Up?
I am currently entering round 17 of embarking on greater self-compassion. I've studied it, practiced it, but for some other reason or another—boredom with the practice, lacking time to commit, or caring for my toddler daughter—I have not sustained it long term. The greatest break was when I incurred a back injury in 2011, and … Continue reading Positive Affirmations—Where Were They When I Was Growing Up?
Tearing a Paper, Tearing a Heart
I agonized for hours over tearing open that package of wipes. The Jewish holiday of Sukkot started Sunday night, and until Tuesday night, those who observe the holiday more stringently are careful not to tear. (Along with some other practices they refrain from: going to work, driving a car, using electricity—the list goes on...) Then … Continue reading Tearing a Paper, Tearing a Heart
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
Managing Morning Creativity
Mornings are challenging for me. As I wake up, I often have a rush of creativity, and always a rush of productivity (one form of creativity). I can review a lot of emails, type up lots of documentation, and often write up my blogs (my favorite early morning activity aside from yoga). And then of … Continue reading Managing Morning Creativity
