I wish to live freely, consciously, and with ease. I wish to live according to my own choices NOT according to unconscious childhood and cultural programming and reactivity. I value happiness, which I define as ease, health, humor, grace, love, sharing, compassion, creativity, effort, ambition … (moral ambition), and the will to uplift self and… Continue reading Why do I want to heal? (How do I wish to live?)
Self Reliance
When I first read the essay Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson I was consumed by it. I made a sheet with my favorite excerpts and kept it by my desk. I believe I may have also made copies of it and shared with friends. Recently I began re-reading it and I discovered that it… Continue reading Self Reliance
1. What is healing?
Healing is a trendy topic, a trendy word these days. If you spend time on #mentalhealth social media, you see the terms “healing” and “toxic” thrown around a lot. Words mean different things to different people. To me, healing means letting go of the past and taking action toward one’s vision for a good and… Continue reading 1. What is healing?
Practice and letting go
10 Questions: How Can I Heal?
1. What is healing? 2. Why do I want to heal? (How do I wish to live?) 3. What support do I have TODAY? (Gratitude practice) 4. How can I enjoy nature today? 5. How can I care for my body today? 6. How can I transcend my thoughts today? 7. How can I change… Continue reading 10 Questions: How Can I Heal?
expansion
“Bessel van der Kolk: “Trauma is when we are not seen and known.” ― Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. i have been in a contraction for a few years now and didn’t see it. expand, contract, expand, contract. it can’t be all expansion all the time… Continue reading expansion
real creativity
i want to write today but i don’t know what to write about. i don’t want to lecture – i am tired of hearing my pronouncements and self-cherishing. it just so happens today was an on-campus teaching day and often when i am in front of my students, i wonder why they are even listening… Continue reading real creativity
Addicted to self help
Of all the things one can be addicted to, perhaps self help addiction is the least damaging. But like any other unconscious compulsive behavior, constant SEEKING takes us away from peace and equanimity. Powerful market forces trade on our resistance to present moment awareness and appreciation- self help is a is $13.2 billion industry. Santosha,… Continue reading Addicted to self help
birth
note to self: the discomfort of change is like the discomfort of birth. in the moment it is so difficult and painful and rough and humbling (for me it was, anyway). but what comes after it is amazing. an epic gift and presence, so worth the temporary discomfort. keep going.
Things I once thought would be the line of demarcation indicating I’m happy and complete
1. When I got my first full time job. 2. When I moved out of my parents’ house. 3. When I could afford to give up roommates and have my own space. 4. When I had a boyfriend. 5. When I became a Vice President at my job. 6. When I was a boss of… Continue reading Things I once thought would be the line of demarcation indicating I’m happy and complete
Healing in Plain Sight 