Mindfulness on Demand

Because I got hit by a car, I’m very limited in movement right now. Everything takes longer, requires help, and many activities I enjoy are off-limits for now. Getting through the day takes a lot of patience with myself. Even something as simple as a shower is a slow, careful process. I have to stay […]

Shifting Mindsets with Simple Tricks

My brother, Michael, recently showed me a clever way he taught his kids to “trick” their minds when faced with something they resist. During my visit, he told his 4-year-old it was time for medicine, which brought instant tears. The anticipated taste was enough to cause a meltdown, so Michael reminded him they could use […]

How Mental Tools Aid Healing

I have a cast on my right arm and hand because of a fracture near my wrist. Interestingly, this cast isn’t what’s healing the bone itself. My body is doing that on its own, slowly. So why wear a cast? It’s not a magic fix; it’s there to protect me from doing more harm while […]

When Helping Hurts

I’ve always loved helping. I’d jump in to make someone’s work easier, help their party go smoothly, or even try to boost their self-esteem. It felt good to be the person who set aside my own needs to be of service. But when I really looked at it, I started to see it wasn’t all […]

I’m Every Woman

Sometimes I get really loud and excitable and need a party of people to have fun with. Sometimes, I think the world is too loud and I need to be quiet and alone. Sometimes I want to share my controversial opinions and scream them at everyone. Sometimes I just want to sit back and listen. […]

Stop Giving Advice

A few years ago, I made the decision to stop giving unsolicited advice. It’s been tough to stick with, especially when someone opens up and I think I have the perfect solution. The urge to fix problems is strong. But I’ve come to believe that resisting that impulse makes me a better, kinder person. When […]

What Do I Want

I’ve noticed times when I’m caught in a negative spiral, spending my day focused on what I don’t want. Whether it’s dreading a project, not wanting to talk to someone, or even disliking where I live, these thoughts can weigh me down. It’s not wrong to acknowledge what I don’t want, but it becomes exhausting […]

Stop Suffering

Every day brings its own set of challenges. Just when I think I’ve found my rhythm for a productive day, that’s when I get a flat tire on my bike. Or I catch a cold that knocks me out. Or a family member calls with bad news. What I’ve learned is that there’s no such […]

Get Unstuck in One Minute

I rolled my eyes the first time someone suggested I make a gratitude list. Meditation seemed like a waste of productive time, and yoga? That was for hippies. It took me a while to realize that I was responding out of ignorance—rejecting things I’d never sincerely tried. Nothing keeps me more locked into ignorance than […]

Recovering from a Mistake

The other day, I lost all my work by hitting the wrong button and forgetting to turn on my backup. I hate making mistakes. It feels like such a setback. Trying again after a mistake is frustrating, sometimes even more challenging than the first time. It’s scarier, more draining, and often requires new ideas or […]