Years ago, I took a writing class with one of my favorite authors and teachers, Natalie Goldberg. One of the most delightful exercises she gave us was to write ten three-line poems about summer in just five minutes, without ever naming the season. With no time for my “editing mind” to add its critiques, I slipped into a stream-of-consciousness flow that transported me straight back to my childhood.
Read MoreToday’s 90-second micro-meditation—Notice Sounds—quickly anchors your attention in the here and now. Guided by mindfulness teacher and therapist, Katie Dutcher, each sound becomes a doorway to presence, inviting stillness without needing silence. Katie says, “Listen to the soundscape of this moment as if you are listening to an unfamiliar piece of music that will only be played just this once.” Enjoy!
Read MoreRead MoreA few months ago, I read a thought-provoking article that outlined four habits people should quit if they want to live a happier life: complaining, chasing external validation, dwelling on the past, and comparing yourself to others.
Today I’m sharing a lovely “Take a Moment” micro-meditation called, “Stand Like a Mountain.” Whether you’re standing tall or sitting comfortably, this 90-second practice helps you feel calm and grounded by embodying the strength and stability of a mountain—patient, still, and mighty. Enjoy!
Read MoreMy contemplations about luck began ten years ago, while I was collecting information about my deceased father for Quest for Eternal Sunshine: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Darkness to Light— a book about my dad’s life and healing journey. Some of the richest material came from my sister Ruthie, who had the incredible foresight to record some of the conversations she had with our father in the early 1990s.
Read MoreI hope you enjoy this soothing 90-second “Take a Moment” micro-meditation, “Connect with Your Heart.” With Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday, it’s a beautiful time to remember that we all began our unique life journey in the sanctuary of a womb, where the rhythmic sound of a beating heart was our first lullaby.
Read MoreEnjoy this lovely micro-meditation—Feel Your Breath—that will help you feel centered and peaceful in less than two-minutes!
Read MoreOne of the most important keys I’ve discovered about navigating life with more joy, calm and clarity is developing the ability to regulate my nervous system. This means quickly recognizing when my body has shifted into a stress response, and then immediately taking steps to restore balance and calm.
Read MoreNext Tuesday, April 22, is Earth Day—a time to honor our planet’s beauty and bounty, and to renew our commitment to its protection and restoration. Earlier this month, I had the great pleasure of hearing Dr. Jane Goodall speak in person. Being in her presence was lovely and inspiring.
Read MoreIn last week’s blog, I shared how I’m planning to make half of my Quest for Eternal Sunshine Friday newsletters a simple offering of a “Take a Moment” micro-meditation paired with a quote to ponder. My aim is to lift the pressure of needing to complete a new essay every week, and also to give each one more time to blossom into its fullest potential.
Read MoreStarting in mid-February, Debra Silverman’s soon-to-be-released book, I Don’t Believe in Astrology, was my bedtime reading. Debra—a master astrologer and psychotherapist whose wisdom I’ve been benefiting from for 19 years—imparts many clear and powerful messages in her new book. One of the core beliefs she shares is that humans come to this planet to learn specific life lessons, and that pain is our primary teacher.
Read MoreDuring times of turmoil, when much of the suffering we witness and experience is beyond our control, it’s more important than ever to access an inner state of peace by calming our nervous system, quieting our mind, and connecting with forces greater than ourselves. Being rested, grounded, and clear-headed allows us to bring more compassion, joy and creative solutions into a world desperately in need of those qualities.
Read MoreThis week, I’m happy to share an article I wrote for Spirituality & Health magazine featuring wisdom from qi gong master Lee Holden’s new book, “Ready, Set, Slow.” It shares three of my favorite practices from the 25 the book offers—practices I’ve been enjoying and benefiting from every day.
Read MoreLast month, I received a beautiful newsletter from my cousin Trudy Goodman, who is a Harvard-trained psychotherapist and internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher. In it, she offered a simple yet powerful practice called, “Steadying the Heart in Uncertain Times,” which I’m happy to share with you today.
Read MoreTrudy’s odyssey in life has been analogous to a turbulent ocean crossing filled with unanticipated, treacherous storms.
Read MoreI recently did something completely ordinary that felt surprisingly extraordinary: I taught my 7-year-old grandson how to play solitaire with a deck of cards at his wooden kitchen table. The week before, I’d shown him Spider Solitaire on my iPad, and he’d loved it. Once he got the hang of it, the game moved fast—no shuffling, no dealing, and his win was celebrated by an exciting explosion of digital cards.
Read MoreToday, I’m happy to share an article I wrote for “Spirituality & Health” magazine that features insights and practices from Gabrielle Bernstein’s latest book, “Self Help.” Inspired by her devotion to Internal Family Systems (IFS)—a form of psychotherapy that is booming in popularity—Gabby’s teachings can help us heal our deepest wounds and empower us to live our best lives.
Read MoreIn anticipation of tomorrow’s writing workshop—“Write Your Past & Future Open” with author, poet and artist, Patrice Vecchione—I’m happy to share two poems written by Alice Tao, the talented poet whose work I first shared last autumn.
Read MoreI’ve been learning about the many emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits of experiencing moments of awe, so today I’m happy to share some awe-inspiring discoveries about seahorses—wondrous creatures that embody romance in unique and surprising ways.
Read MoreHealing and personal growth require both introspection and aspiration. To truly evolve, we must reflect on the past to understand the experiences that shaped us. We also need to envision the future we want, to make sure that we’re moving toward our desired destination.
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