Blog: Healing Choices
This blog focuses on the small moments that make a good day into a bad day, or a terrible day into a gift of a day. It’s my belief that developing awareness in these small moments is the practice we need to be able to navigate all the ups and downs of life, from loss and grief to love, peace, and joy.
Weight Loss Goal
I recently coached someone who was trying to lose weight. Last year she started exercising regularly and eating better. Then, in the fall of the year, she got buried in work and stopped exercising. Over the next six months she gained 15 pounds. Now she is exercising...
Setting a Boundary
A boundary is something you do for yourself. It is a way of practicing self-kindness and self-compassion. A boundary is you saying: I’ve thought about this and this is what I need. I’m not telling you what to do, but if you do this (or don’t do that) again, I’m going...
Boundaries, Again.
I live on a small street with a cul-de-sac at one end. There are some common areas that all the residents of the street are responsible for, along with our own properties. It is clear to all of us what spaces are our responsibility and what spaces are not. In our...
Shame
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” That’s how I feel about Brene Brown. I’ve heard about her from many people over the years, but didn’t start reading her books until earlier this year when I was researching gratitude. Then I met the woman—she is...
Healthy Habits
Recently, I talked to a group of people about healthy habits. I spoke about what I believe are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. For the record, they are good food/hydration, good sleep, good relationships, and play. While I shared tips and strategies that create...
Defensive, Again!
One day a few weeks ago I met with a group of friends to work on finding a solution to a problem we are all very passionate about. In the process of the conversation, I got really defensive with one friend, who I’ll call Jane. For a while there, I reacted to...
Nature Feeds the Soul
I just spent a few days in New York City and it made me realize how necessary nature is to my soul. I love to be outside, but it really struck me that being outside in nature is different than just being outside. On Monday it was raining, so my plan to take my son to...
Gratitude on Marathon Monday
On Marathon Monday, 2012, in the mid-afternoon, I was on Boylston Street, near the finish of the Boston Marathon, waiting for my cousin to run by so I could cheer her on. On Marathon Monday, 2013, I was at the Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester, MA, celebrating my...
Another Reason For Self-Compassion
I recently went to hear Brene Brown speak on the topic, “The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting.” Brene is a shame researcher and a best-selling author. The biggest point Brene wanted to make was that we, as parents, cannot give our children the gifts of self-love,...
Arguing With Reality
The day before Easter I was at the grocery store early, hoping to avoid the crowds. After I got home and put the groceries away, I pulled out the carton of white eggs I’d bought earlier in the week so I could dye eggs with my son. I was surprised to see only 2 eggs in...