mindfulness

Inviting Awe into Our Everyday Lives

Inviting Awe into Our Everyday Lives

One of my favorite family traditions that I had growing up was camping around Christmas time! We would go up into the mountains and spend a few days hiking around in the snow and playing card games as a family. It felt so cozy to be surrounded by the tall evergreen trees and the snow covered mountains. My favorite part about our trips was at night. There was this dock close by that was used in the summer. It afforded a nice view of the wide river that connected all the mountains. At night, it was the perfect stargazing spot. Looking up you could watch the night sky spin.

Prayer, are there benefits for the non-religious?

Prayer, are there benefits for the non-religious?

Many of us think of prayer as a way to communicate with a higher power, God, nature, etc… We rarely think of prayer as a researched practice to enhance mental and physical health benefits. Regardless of the beliefs of each reader, prayer proves to be a powerful principle of positive psychology and puts forth results for millions of people around the world.

Creating a Living Relationship with Nature

Creating a Living Relationship with Nature

As spring has begun, the weather has been pleasant enough to leave my window cracked open. Nature’s morning alarm, the sounds of birds outside my apartment, gently makes its wake-up call, setting me up for a more mindful morning. It is an immediate reminder when I wake that I am connected to the world around me.  The birdsong helps me to not be so caught up in my own busy schedule—rather be prepared to notice and enjoy what’s around me.

Uncovering the Wholeness Within

Uncovering the Wholeness Within

Inside the Accademia Gallery of Florence in Italy my husband and I shuffled shoulder to shoulder like cattle moving our way toward our goal. We had gotten tickets months in advance and were among the thousands of tourists each day wanting to see it with our own eyes. We turned the corner and there, over the heads of the herd at the end of a wide corridor lined with other sculptures by the great Michealangelo, I saw it. Considering the number of people, it was almost eerie how quiet it became the closer we got to the masterpiece. David commanded an awe and reverence as we took him in. He really is elegant. I’ll never forget how I felt seeing the famed David my art teachers had raved about.

Beyond Meditation: Unexpected Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Beyond Meditation: Unexpected Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

You’ve probably heard the usual advice: meditate, exercise, journal. These staples work—but they aren’t the only routes to a healthier mind. Mental health is personal. And sometimes, what really helps isn’t a silent room and a breathing app, but a splash of cold water, a virtual forest, or a bench in the sun. If your usual routines aren’t cutting through the fog, here are six creative, research-backed ways to refresh your mind and stabilize your mood, with no yoga mat required.

I Hear You!

I Hear You!

At age forty-nine, I have attended hundreds of bridal showers and wedding luncheons. When the time to “give advice” rolls around, two bits of advice surface nearly every time.

The first is, “Never go to bed angry.” Personally, I disagree with the word never in this statement—sometimes a good sleep, a little distance, and perhaps a hot meal can do wonders for a difficult issue—but that topic is for another blog post.

“Life More Abundantly” The Role of Transcendence in Living Optimistically and Mindfully

“Life More Abundantly” The Role of Transcendence in Living Optimistically and Mindfully

Well, for centuries, a connection to the divine has oriented people towards how to live a good life. Many would argue that the spiritual principles taught by the different world religions have temporal importance in their ability to influence happiness and bring a sense of abundance to life. A reflection on those quotes shows that, even objectively, they give great advice on how to live! Even while not all individuals are affiliated with a particular religion, it has been increasingly common for people to seek a connection to something greater than themselves. This connection to something transcendent can have an incredible impact on our ability to live optimistically, mindfully, and abundantly. I’ve seen this in my own life, and I think if you took a moment to contemplate, you’d see it in yours too.

Self-Compassion Breeds Confidence

Self-Compassion Breeds Confidence

Why am I like this? My thoughts move at 100 miles per second. I’m dumb, I’m not capable, I’m not beautiful enough. I am too lazy. The people around me seem to have everything together all the time. There is no escaping this anxious, stressful reality. My spiral begins to feel uncontrollable and panic sets in. Suddenly, my husband walks into the room and tells me I am beautiful and hugs me. He tells me about his day and how he missed my smile. My thoughts ease and I am immediately encircled by his warm, intentional embrace. Feelings of love and comfort rush over my body and the crippling feelings are replaced with encouraging ones. I feel capable, beautiful, and heard. Because I received comfort from my sweet husband, I feel capable of offering the same love to myself. I am reminded of my worth. My confidence grows and I see the miracle of the day.

Gratitude Sundae: Building a Life Filled With Sweet Appreciation

Gratitude Sundae: Building a Life Filled With Sweet Appreciation

When I think about gratitude, I imagine it like an ice cream sundae. Hear me out—gratitude is the base scoop of ice cream, the foundation for all the sweet, wonderful toppings life can offer. Without it, the dessert of life feels incomplete. But when you add that scoop of gratitude, everything else—joy, connection, resilience sticks a little better and tastes a whole lot sweeter.