A Mindful Life

Four days after our move, our washer went kaput (after 12 years of faithful service). This occurred on a day that Claire decided to try to, erm, clean up her poopy diaper while in her crib for a nap. So, Husband did fast research on Consumer Reports, and we went to Sears. We now have [...]

It had been a rough winter for Claire. She got sick nearly every month since September (and coincidentally she started preschool one day a week that month), had two bouts of pneumonia, and required treatments to help her breathe. The latest illness began on Mother’s Day, and by Thursday she was in a spiral of [...]

Throughout my life, writing has been a cherished expression for me. At one point I even felt that writing was as important as breathing. I so urgently wanted to tell my story about where I came from, what was done to me, what had happened in my life. I wanted to share tidbits, information, inspiration, [...]

Some days I look at my child and am astounded that she has made another leap toward growing up. Today was such a day. She rarely permits me to “do” her hair, but today I insisted on trying pigtails, which she loved. But oh! She looked so much older with them, and her thoughts and [...]

In reading Eckhart Tolle’s books, I am reminded that we shore up our egos with stories. Unfortunately, ego can be a monumental obstacle to real peace, real being. At one point in my life, it was very important to me to tell people my story: of where I came from, my family dynamics, the struggles [...]

I just heard a fascinating interview on Fresh Air with Judith Shulevitz as the guest. She has written a book about the history of the Jewish sabbath and also included a memoir about her own journey into keeping Sabbath customs. I found her lyrical and articulate, and her views impressed me. What I especially appreciate [...]

If you practice the kind of patience that leads to the de-escalation of aggression and the cessation of suffering, you will be cultivating enormous courage. You will really get to know anger and how it breeds violent words and actions. You will see the whole thing without acting it out. When you practice patience, you’re [...]

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Something about the wind makes me feel alive…the seagulls and the sky…whether its sunny and bright or cloudy and grey or nighttime and I’m surrounded by vast darkness…I just feel…FULL. Full of love and energy….almost as though I’m porous and the wind soars through tiny holes in my body and I’m part of it all…the [...]

This is one of the most inspiring and compelling video snippets I have seen in a long time. Please take a moment to go to his site and watch it! Motivational Message by Nick Vujicic Maybe I’ll buy the DVD.