Meditation

Meditation lowers blood pressure and can change cell structure." cbs news

This story on cbs told of a man who had been meditating for many years and was in a plane wreck.  He survived because - he believes - of his long practice at meditating, which helped him stay calm and ignore the pain.  This is a dramatic story, but there is much evidence of the benefits of meditating.  Even 15 minutes a day, preferably twice a day, can have remarkable effects. 

Being Our True Selves

"Never hide your green hair --- They can see it anyway." Angeles Arrien

What a funny way to encourage a child to be true to herself and not hide part of who she is.  The above quote was said to Angeles by her grandmother.  Each of us gets messages, once we go out into the world, that something about ourselves is not acceptable.  The result is we begin to hide those parts, and they very often are the most powerful parts of ourselves.  We each got messages on the way to lunch, on the playground, in class that would encourage us to be ashamed of some aspect of ourselves.  Whether it is the freckles we have, the way we talk, how we learn -- each of us draws attention from others to shut down part of who we are.  I hope all children are encouraged to be all of who they can be, and I encourage each of you to do the same.  The world is a better place when we show up fully as who we are.

Being Authentic

To be, or not to be.  That is the question." Shakespeare

How many of us are authentic?  If you are like me, I am not sure I even remember who I am at times.  And, we are somewhat defined by our roles, which are ever changing.  I have been mother, teacher, wife, caregiver, psychologist, widow:  of those, who is me?  And, who are we when a role is finished?  Perhaps you are one of the ones who seems to know, at your core, who you are.

Becoming or Being?

"The nature of becoming is a constant filming over of where we begin, while the nature of being is a constant erosion of what is not essential." Mark Nepo

I wonder if that is true.  Is it true for your life that you have continually covered over who you were, only to again uncover it?  Perhaps it is true.  I have thought of it in terms of going back to collect something I left behind -- like my sense of wonder and play that I re-found on the beach where my parents would have taken me when I was a very young child.  Perhaps it is just a matter of semantics.  Our life process is continuing to uncover who we are.

A New Year Can Be Time For New Decisions

A New Year is the perfect time to take inventory of your life.

What of the last year do you want to retain?  What do you want to release?  What changes do you want to implement?  I want to put more focus on exercise, as I have not done well in the past couple weeks.  I want to be more relaxed and enjoy each present moment, as I have a tendency to be thinking I have to get something done in a distant moment.  I want to know "All is Well."  How about you?

What Are Your Expectations?

"The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe." Einstein

Have you decided whether the universe is friendly or not?  It is an important decision, and I think most of us live in the range of not being sure whether it is safe or not.  What if we choose to decide it is safe?  I think our lives will be better for it.  

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, 2016

What will 2016 bring for you?  Of course, we cannot say for sure.  There will be twists and surprises and some tedium, but what we can say is what attitude we will have for 2016.  Do you look forward to it?  Are there some goals you want to accomplish?  Even if you are caregiving someone, it is still important to think what we want for our own life.  Enthusiasm for our own life is important.  For what can you be enthusiastic?  I am enthused about taking more Bodytalk classes this year, working less, creating more, having more fun, exercising regularly, enjoying time with those I love.