The power of the pause
Pausing is the most valuable life skill there is. OK, that’s a little too strong, but it’s definitely a good one! Pausing creates this magical space where the path we’re on can suddenly take a turn for the better. It can be a game changer. It doesn’t come naturally, though. Being able to pause requires […]
Be. Here. Now.
It looks like I’m here, but I’m not. I mean, sure, my body is in the room, that’s not an illusion or anything. But I’m afraid that my thoughts are — quite often — somewhere else. I imagine you know what I mean. It goes like this: I’m resting, but I’m thinking about what I […]
Two keys to positive change: mindfulness and small steps
We think a lot of thoughts. The best estimate I came across is that we think around 6,000 thoughts per day. Some people say that number is more like 60,000. Numbers aside, the point is that our noggins are basically always churning, and a lot of our mental material is the same old stuff, over […]
Never settle for the path of least resistance. Or do. Wait, what?
I’ve recently noticed a pesky entrenched belief that motherhood has made worse: If I’m not suffering, I’m not doing it right. It’s like, if I’m not giving my kids every ounce of my energy, or if I get help from other people, or if I say no to something because it’s unpleasant or I don’t […]
A daily practice, in one minute
A regular get-out-of-the-noise-in-your-head practice can go a long way. Today I’d like to offer you one that’s super handy and practical. It’s pocket-size! Devoting even just a bit of time every day to stepping back from the chaos within — and all around us — can be beneficial. It’s the most effective path toward broad […]
Listen to some thoughts. Ignore others. Here’s a general rule.
Our brains go, go, go, go, go. That’s good, in a way. We have a lot to do. Adulting is full of tasks and maintenance and thoughts that need thinking. We have to figure out insurance, taxes, mortgages, putting together Ikea furniture. But we don’t just think about logistical matters and the optimal completion of […]
Pause. It can fix things.
There’s a lot of power in taking a pause. Better outcomes are often on the other side of briefly stepping back and taking a beat. Pausing gives us the opportunity to choose how we want to show up, to stay present and connected, and it’s reliably settling. But it can be a bit unnatural, too. […]
How — and why– to savor the tedious (laundry pile included)
How to make each moment count — this has been the overarching focus of my columns so far this year. Maybe it’s because of COVID-19, but it has been abundantly clear to me lately that life is short, and nothing is guaranteed. So, I want to live with that in mind. I want to be […]