my three words for 2012
I loved having a "word" for the year. For 2011, I had three! Soften, strengthen, and forgive changed me. They took up residence in me, stretched me, and shifted things within me and in my life. Here’s what happened: Soften. I softened my judgment, my inner critic,...
still magnificent
I dropped my camera. Right before all the action began on Christmas Eve. We were walking in the woods behind my parents' house, investigating a huge tree that had fallen over and was completely hollow inside. The rest of my family was at home playing "Elves" --...
birthing
Birthing Something new is emerging wanting to be birthed has wanted waited patiently to be in the light for so long now no longer okay with laying dormant no longer necessary it is ready NOW. I know labor the waves of contractions trembling me moaning me into this...
Mindful Moment: Courage
Third grade music class. Our teacher asked us to share our musical talents. Only problem: I didn't play any musical instrument. I didn't dance (wait for it!). I "only" played soccer. Buuuuuut, it never entered my head that that was a "problem." I loved dancing. ...
Tips for Mindful Relationships #6: How to love the one you’re with
This fall, I found myself feeling irritate with Brian. (I know, how could I be upset with this sweet face?! It happens!) I kept focusing on what he wasn't doing "right" (cough. um...MY way). This didn't make anyone happy. Including me. I decided to stop whining and do...
Tips for Parenting with Compassion #6: Gotta go wild
I’ve noticed this: many of us are uncomfortable with our kiddos “going wild.” For some time I’ve been noticing myself. Noticing how I get “uncomfortable” when the energy gets a bit high and I start getting on the kiddos to “bring it down.” Sure, it’s appropriate to...
Mindful Moment: our hands
His hand. The instant I took this picture and viewed it, my son’s hand drew my attention. It felt…familiar. Its placement. Its energy. Its “feel.” It all reminded me of something. A few weeks later, after I had printed out these pictures and was putting them...
Mindful Moment: My mom’s everyday love…in a grapefruit
Grapefruit. I started to softly cry over my grapefruit the other morning. Carefully cutting the outside circle of my grapefruit, I stopped. The memory of my mother so lovingly and thoroughly cutting my grapefruit for me as a girl flooded my mind and heart. Back...
Tips for Mindful Relationships # 5: Don’t Take it Personally
I finally arrived at my friend’s house after packing up the kiddos, turning around to get the toy my son had forgotten at home and wanted to give to his friend, returning an important phone call, packing my things to head off to work in an hour when my husband would...
Tips for Everyday Mindfulness # 8: Drop the Story
I love how insight comes at random times. There we were, my fellow mama friend and me working out at the Y, BY OURSELVES with no kiddos at 7:15 at night, moving our tushes on the elliptical trainer, talking about life, what we are wrestling with, letting go of, what...