A Mindful Life

Austin is growing up (or out, depending on perspective). As written in the Austin American Statesman:

…the “travel time index,” indicates what percentage of extra time travel takes in each city during peak travel times… In Austin, the travel time index in 2001 was 1.31, meaning peak trips take 31 percent longer than free-flow [...]

I write emotional algebra.
–Anais Nin

The psychotherapy community and self-help industry toss around all sorts of phrases, such as “self-esteem,” “the inner child,” and “being your own best friend.” These are worthy concepts but are often difficult to actualize. I mean really, if you don’t like yourself, and it’s your thinking you need to change to become your [...]

The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion.
–Molly Ivins

I went for a hike yesterday at a local park. Although situated within the city of Austin, the trail winds through land that feels remote. The path is shady, and it winds over a creek in numerous places. The occasional breeze ruffled my hair as I wandered over sun-dappled ground. Because [...]

Therapists must convey to the patient that their paramount task is to build a relationship together that will itself become the agent of change.
–Irvin Yalom, The Gift of Therapy (2002)

I’ve been trying to keep weekends free of writing in this blog, as an attempt to shape my time and create boundaries around my work life.
However, since it’s my blog, I get to break my own rules.
There is a blog I read called What’s Brewing, written by a very intelligent and creative [...]

I resent people who say writers write from experience. Writers don’t write from experience, though many are hesitant to admit that they don’t. I want to be clear about this. If you wrote from experience, you’d get maybe one book, maybe three poems. Writers write from empathy.
–Nikki Giovanni

In one month, on October 26, daylight savings time ends. Yet here it is, shortly after 8 p.m. in September, and my woozy, sleepy brain struggles to summon an interesting thought. My eyes are tired and don’t want to stay open. I’ve always been mystified by this. Every year, as the [...]

To love without role, without power plays, is revolution.
–Rita Mae Brown