Today is my 58th birthday. Reflecting back on the past year, I feel extremely grateful for many things, especially the birth of my beloved grandson, Elián, who turned ten months earlier this week. Also topping my list is the new ritual I established exactly one year ago today during the height of the pandemic, when I gave myself the birthday gift of a full day offline—a much needed break from my screens, as well as from the relentless avalanche of bad news.
Read MoreLast Monday morning, an email from Macy’s arrived in my inbox announcing, “BLACK FRIDAY EARLY ACCESS—HURRY, SHOP SPECIALS TODAY!” There was a clock with big red numbers ticking down, announcing “Only 12 hours, 26 minutes, 53 seconds left!” Soon more emails started pouring in from other retailers that got my adrenaline going as they urged me to shop, shop, shop before it’s too late for deals that are too good to pass up. Some were quite tempting!
Read MoreToday I’m sharing the first article in a four-part series on elemental wisdom I wrote in collaboration with the master astrologer and psychotherapist, Debra Silverman. Debra always starts off teaching her students about the four elements because it’s the foundation upon which all understanding of astrology is built, and because she’s witnessed what an extremely effective model it is for understanding human nature and cultivating compassion for both ourselves and others.
Read MoreI’ve recently become a devoted student of astrology. It began when I learned that the positions of the planets above our heads at the moment of our birth can reveal countless essential details about our personalities—including how we perceive the world, what we yearn for, and the particular ways we think, act, and love.
Read MoreThis week, I feel moved to share three quotes that get me thinking and smiling. They remind me of my father because he lived as if happiness was his North Star. When something got in the way of his ability to truly enjoy and savor his life, he applied his inventor’s mind to investigating the problem, and always started by looking within with courage and honesty.
Read MoreMy father was fascinated by magic. He mused about it in his writings and often pondered its nature and role in the world. For my father, magic wasn’t focused on sorcery or sleight-of-hand. It was about pushing past the boundaries of our mind’s limiting conditioning with an inner certainty that there is more to the universe—and ourselves—than we can ever fully see or comprehend.
Read MoreI’ve collected some more jokes to share today, as well as some additional insights into why having a good sense of humor—the ability to perceive, appreciate and share the funny side of life—is always important, but can be especially helpful when facing big challenges. “When the going gets tough—laugh!” advises the wise psychotherapist and master astrologer, Debra Silverman.
Read MoreLaura Davis—my brilliant writing mentor and best-selling author of six non-fiction books that have been providing resources for wisdom, healing, and self-discovery for more than three decades—is about to release her very first memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story. This special occasion inspired the two us to offer a free writing workshop on November 6.
Read MoreMany months ago, I saw a powerful quote in a magazine that has continued to stay with me: “Instead of having a fault-finding mind, develop the beautiful attitude of gratitude.” This wise advice was written by a British-Australian Theravada Buddhist monk named Ajahn Brahm, author of a number of books, including, Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?—Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life’s Difficulties.
Read MoreLeo continues to bring immense joy into our lives in myriad ways. He is an exuberant being who embodies sweetness, love and delight. So in honor of Leo second birthday, here are some more lessons he’s been teaching me that I am most grateful for.
Read MoreToday is my father’s birthday. If Mendek were alive, he’d be turning 97. I’ve been thinking about him so much lately: recalling his wisdom, joy, and sweetness, pondering his lineage and legacy. I am just finishing a project that has taken close to two years to complete—a family tree that starts with my great-grandparents in Jaworzno, Poland, and goes all the way to the present.
Read MoreA few days before my father died, I began to feel his spirit sending me messages. Although it was hard to believe it was actually happening, the hospice nurses told me that they’d heard similar stories dozens of times. They’d also witnessed many near-death patients suddenly be able to hear words whispered far away in another room behind closed doors, as if they were no longer tethered to their bodies or limited by their physical senses. Even after my father passed, I continued to feel his presence.
Read MoreMid-September—how I love this time of year! As someone who naturally wakes with the morning sun, I’m sleeping later with the longer nights. I enjoy how dusk arrives not too long after dinner, giving me plenty of time to settle down before bedtime. The days are still warm, but the nights are beginning to have a pleasant crisp chill that freshens the air.
Read More“When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree” is a Vietnamese proverb that feels especially relevant to share on Labor Day. Taking time to think about the innumerable efforts that go into creating the ordinary items in our lives that are so easy to take for granted—soap, fabric, eyeglasses, shoes, mugs, eggs, apples, and countless others—wakes us up to how interconnected we all are, and how many unknown people in the world deserve our appreciation.
Read MoreToday I’m sharing an essay about changing my relationship with death. When I “assigned” myself this topic a few months ago, I knew it would be both difficult and important, but I had no clue what would arise for me. It turned out that intimately contemplating death for so long with a sense of bravery, curiosity, and calm helped me shed much of the terror I’ve been projecting onto it. Ultimately, I discovered that holding death close is a powerful way to wake up to life.
Read MoreToday’s newsletter is written in honor of an exceptional woman, Judith Saly, who turns 100 tomorrow. Judith is my first friend to have lived for an entire century, and I’m eager to share some of her life story and valuable wisdom with you.
Read MoreTaking a full 24-hours away from technology helps us gain more awareness about our often-unconscious habits and attachments while giving our brains and nervous systems a much-needed rest. It reminds us that recharging ourselves is more important than recharging our phones and helps us establish healthier boundaries with our devices every day so that we can experience more calm and peace in our lives.
Read MoreI have what psychologists call “porous boundaries.” Common characteristics of such boundaries describe me perfectly: fearing rejection when I don’t comply with other’s expectations, overexplaining and feeling bad when I say no, getting over-involved in other people’s problems, and a tendency toward oversharing. My porous boundaries extend emotionally and energetically as well—when I’m with someone who has an upset stomach, I often begin to feel sick too.
Read MoreI have had two clear “awakening” experiences in my life. The first was as a third grader in Brooklyn when my class took a trip to tour Pete Seeger’s boat. As I lay on the deck with my eyes closed, palms resting against the polished wood, a strong sense of awe and reverence filled me. The sun warmed my face as the boat rocked gently on the water, and I suddenly had the best feeling of my entire life: CONNECTION.
Read MoreAs a best-selling author, speaker and life coach, Martha Beck helps countless people by unveiling the most intimate details of her life and healing journey as she shares the powerful lessons she’s gleaned with honesty, bravery, pragmatism and humor.
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