Grounding means establishing a strong, conscious connection to the slow, calming frequencies of Planet Earth. For people like me—those who live much of our lives up high in our heads, readily spinning into the frenetic world of thoughts and worries—being able to ground effectively is a powerful antidote to this emotionally and physically draining pattern.
Read More
It’s hard to believe another full year has passed, and 2022 begins tomorrow! Wanting to share some optimistic musings with you on this special day, I collected some uplifting and empowering quotes by Dr. Wayne Dyer, whose philosophy about the essential good nature of all human beings and the immense impact of our thoughts was very similar to my father’s.
Read More
On this holiday eve, towards the end of a challenging year plagued by huge and heated divisions, it feels essential to remember that our common humanity runs much deeper than our particular conditioned beliefs. It’s an important time to recommit to spreading seeds of joy, compassion and kindness.
Read More
This week, instead of an issue I’m pondering or bits of philosophical wisdom I’ve collected, I’m sharing the recipe for my household’s favorite new treat: Maple Cinnamon Pecans. Only slightly sweet, they are delicious, healthy, and very quick and easy to make. I bake off a batch at least every other week—my husband and I never want to be without them!
Read More
Winter marks another completion around the sun—a perfect occasion to contemplate what brings us the most joy and nourishment. Just like pruning dormant trees in the winter removes damaged branches and overcrowding to yield a healthy and bountiful crop come summer, winter can summon us to slow down and think about how reduce what is depleting and unnecessary in our lives so we can focus our precious time and energy on creating more ease, happiness and fulfillment.
Read More
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 More
Last 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 More
Today 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 More
I’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 More
This 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 More
My 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 More
I’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 More
Laura 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 More
Many 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 More
Leo 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 More
Today 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 More
A 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 More
Mid-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 More
Today 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 More