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Letting Go of the Past: A Prerequisite for Being In the Present
Recently, I watched the movie Up with my family, which I hadn’t seen in years. Despite it being heart warming, humorous (squirrel!), and entertaining, I was also touched by the wisdom that came through. The main character in the movie, an elderly man named Carl, is on a mission to fulfill the dream of his recently deceased wife. He wants to get their house to Paradise Falls via helium filled balloons which are attached to his roof. At the end of the movie, Carl must choose between his...
read moreHow To Have A Connecting Conversation: Step by Step
I get the privilege of talking to many people, and a theme I’ve noticed is that many people are experiencing difficulty connecting. What does it mean to connect? It’s hard to explain but when we experience it we know it, and most of us want it more than anything. Brené Brown defines connection this way: “The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”What Gets in...
read moreManaging Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Last night my son came into my room at 2:00am, crying because he had what he described as “a horrible headache.” During any other time in his life, I would have calmly given him a hug and some Children’s Advil and sent him back to bed. Last night I had a different reaction. Instead of feeling compassion, I felt fear. Should I hug him? Why was he crying from a headache? Were headaches a sign of the virus? Did he have it? Would I get it? Then what? My mind was speeding off on the negative thought train. This is what the mind...
read moreMystical States and Healing: What Psychotherapy Can Learn from Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
What they did yesterday afternoon ~ by Warsan Shire they set my aunts house on fire i cried the way women on tv do folding at the middle like a five pound note. i called the boy who used to love me tried to ‘okay’ my voice i said hello he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened? i’ve been praying, and these are what my prayers look like; dear god i come from two countries one is thirsty the other is on fire both need water. later that night i held an atlas in my lap ran my fingers across the whole world and whispered where does...
read moreThe Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Mindfulness Connection
When I was first given Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Non-Violent Communication, (NVC) 12 years ago, it sat on my bookshelf, tucked between at least 25 books on Buddhism, mindfulness, and spiritual awakening, for over a year. I had the mindset that I would “get around to it,” but if I was honest, I also thought that the book, given its title, somehow didn’t apply to me. I didn’t see myself as violent, and therefore, I didn’t feel a rush to read it. I also didn’t see its connection to the books that surrounded it. Eventually I would come to...
read moreTouch and Go: Meditation for Pain
It’s 7:50am and I see I have 2 voice mail messages on my phone as I drive down the canyon from my mountain home. I don’t think much of it, other than I don’t recognize the numbers. My office is off a main, somewhat rural, highway on a horse ranch that is a 40-acre sanctuary in the midst of what is becoming suburban sprawl. I get to my office and play the first voice mail, which is from a concerned passerby who saw my horse on the wrong side of the fence- the highway side. I check the time he left the message-...
read moreLosing Aby: Grief and Stillness
It is done. There is a stillness in the house that I don’t recognize. My husband asks if I want pasta and wine. My son is singing Jeff and Paige songs. I realize that the stillness is actually inside of me- her parting gift. I wish to hold her warm body in my lap, stroking her head and gently rubbing the pink spot right above her nose. Instead it’s my laptop on my lap. A poor substitute for a soft, furry friend and the feel of her breath going in and out. I wish I’d have remembered that more throughout the years when my computer sucked...
read moreHow To Raise Non-Judgmental Children
My 5 year old son and I are driving by our new neighbor’s house. He enthusiastically starts waving, rolls down the window and says, “Hi! Hi!” His excitement is contagious, so I start waving too. Our neighbor stands there, looking at us as we pass his house. “Well he wasn’t very friendly,” I say. Then I pause. I can feel the twinge of judgment in my body, manifesting as a slight tightness in my throat and chest. I aspire to use and teach Non-Violent Communication (NVC) in my house, and I’ve just...
read moreBlame and the Empty Boat Practice
I am sitting with clients at my office in the autumn morning shade. Their rescue dog sits with us. He was caged in a dog mill for 7 years until my clients opened their home and hearts to him. A shifting of position in my chair used to startle him- now he is unfazed. His eyes are friendly and take in all that surrounds him. He is relishing his newfound freedom and is confident where he once was unsure, eager to explore the surrounding ranch and then return when called. There is also a cat; soft, young, grey with white socks, friendly, and...
read more3 Mindfulness Activities You Can Do With Your Child Today
“Mindfulness means paying attention, in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn Mindfulness. It’s popping up everywhere! The reason? We now have the ability to study the brain like we haven’t before due to modern technology, and the results are in. Mindfulness is good for your health, your stress level, your relationships, healing trauma, giving birth, developing compassion for others, developing self-compassion, communicating clearly, and living a happier life! For more information on the...
read moreRecent Blog Posts
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Letting Go of the Past: A Prerequisite for Being In the Present
Recently, I watched the movie Up with my family, which I hadn't seen in years. Despite it being heart warming, humorous (squirrel!), and entertaining,… Read more… -
How To Have A Connecting Conversation: Step by Step
If you are having trouble connecting with people during the Covid-19 pandemic you are not alone. This article gives step by step instructions for how to have a connecting conversation.
Read more… -
Managing Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic
4 strategies for managing anxiety during the covid-19 pandemic. Read more…
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Mystical States and Healing: What Psychotherapy Can Learn from Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
What they did yesterday afternoon ~ by Warsan Shire they set my aunts house on fire i cried the way women on… Read more… -
The Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Mindfulness Connection
How NVC (Non-Violent Communication) and mindfulness practice are inter-connected. Read more…
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Touch and Go: Meditation for Pain
When my horse got to the highway side of the fence, I started to panic. I used a meditation technique called "Touch and Go" to work with my experience as it unfolded. Read more…
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Losing Aby: Grief and Stillness
My experience of losing my dog, Aby, of feeling grief, and trying to explain death to my six year old son. Read more… -
How To Raise Non-Judgmental Children
We all want our children to treat others with kindness and respect. Teaching and modeling non-judgment is a key component to this! Read more… -
Blame and the Empty Boat Practice
After watching a dog kill a cat, I was forced to look at how I over-rode my own intuition and to explore the concept of blame with the help of the Zen metaphor of the empty boat. Read more… -
3 Mindfulness Activities You Can Do With Your Child Today
“Mindfulness means paying attention, in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn Mindfulness.… Read more…