A Mindful Life

From the New York Times, And Still, Echoes of a Death Long Past: All deaths leave their mark. But studies suggest that the psychological legacy of a suicide may differ from that of other deaths. “Suicide flies in the face of people’s beliefs abut how life is and how it operates,” said Dr. John Jordan, [...]

For months they have lain in wait, dim shapes lurking in the forgotten corners of houses and factories all over the country and now they are upon us, sodden with alcohol, their massive bodies bulging with strange green protuberances, attacking us in our homes, at our friends’ homes, at our offices — there is no [...]

There are many upcoming events around Austin to enliven the advent of the holidays. Below are a few of them. I heard there is a holiday art fair of sorts on South First street this weekend, starting on Thursday the 4th. At Jovita’s on Saturday around noon the South Austin Jug Band will perform. The [...]

I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me. –Anna Quindlen, “At the Beach,” Living Out Loud (1988)

As a former Quirkyalone, this New York Times article has much relevance for me. Most of my life I pursued education and other projects, focusing on living and not basing my identity on being in A Relationship. Desperation can lead to poor choices, especially in mates. Sure, being single can be lonely at times. But [...]

Fortunately analysis is not the only way to resolve inner conflicts. Life itself still remains a very effective therapist. –Karen Horney, Our Inner Conflicts (1945)

From the Swiss Info website: Mental Illness Sends Disability Claims Rocketing Mental problems such as depression, neuroses, insomnia and panic attacks have risen sharply among the Swiss, conforming to an international trend. The Federal Social Insurance Office says a third of disability claims are for mental health problems. Swiss politicians are in disagreement over how [...]

The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose. –Heda Bejar, in Peacemaking: Day by Day, vol. 2 (1989)

December. For Christians, December involves religious observance of the birth of Christ, the “Light of the World.” For Jews, it is Hannukah, celebrating the miracle the Eternal Light of the Temple, which burned for eight days. Pagans call this Solstice, also known as Yule or Saturnalia, a celebration of the new solar year and of [...]