Mindful Moment: Thich Nhat Hanh (again!)
Oh how I love Thich Nhat Hanh! He has these these simple, lovely phrases for lightening and softening the heart that we can incorporate into any day we're having...any moment, actually! Here's one that I'm breathing today, "Breathing in, I soften; breathing out, I...
Having a “metta moment”
Welcome to the April Carnival of Natural Parenting: Compassionate Advocacy This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared how they advocate for healthy,...
Everyday Resurrection
Everyday Resurrection There comes a moment when you know that you can no longer keep digging in the past searching for the magical golden “why” that you think will finally heal that one tender wound. There comes a defining moment when you are standing in the rain...
A Lenten Metta Meditation
My friend and colleague, Julie Kaus, recently shared this version of Metta meditation found in Pocketful of Miracles by Joan Borysenko: "May I be at peace, May my heart remain open, May I awaken to the light of my own true nature, May I be healed and may I be a source...
Lent: the classic question…revised
Lent starts up this Wednesday. For us Christian/Catholic folks that usually means we ask the classic Lenten question: "What are you giving up for Lent?!" We say things like our beloved indulgent "chocolate" or our social lifesaver "Facebook." It is a lovely practice...
Love’s Quietness: My Husband’s Everyday Valentine Gift
“True inward quietness…is not vacancy, but stability—the steadfastness of a single purpose.” -Caroline Stephen Last night I felt drawn to go back and read some journals from years past. I happened to pull out the one from my first semester in graduate school, the fall...
On Our Son’s Fourth Birthday – Let Your Light Shine!
Our son turned four today. Our “baby” is a little boy! After a day hanging with grandma and grandpa, blowing out the candles, opening presents and tucking my little superhero into bed, I sat down on the couch, exhausted but content, to read a few emails. My friend...
NOT Now
I have dreams. Big dreams. Before kiddos, I dreamed of creating the Barefoot Barn. I wanted to build a barn and retreat center in a beautiful spot surrounded by something vast in nature, create a community of like-hearted folks, and offer workshops and retreats to...
Tips for Everyday Mindfulness #5: How fear dissolves
Last night I had this strange dream. Someone I am close to (not someone I know in my waking life) and I were in prison. Some other inmates were planning to gang up on us and things were about to get ugly. I’ll save you the details, but as things were heating up and I...
My “word for the year” in three: soften, strengthen, forgive
Living with my husband over the years, I have come to see that the ultimate of power and strength comes from gentleness. It sounds like an oxymoron. In this culture, we often get messages that tell that “getting ahead” or “being successful” are a result of brute...