May you be filled with Loving Kindness. May you be surrounded by Loving Kindness. May you know the source from which all Loving Kindness comes. May you live with ease. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe, peaceful, and free from suffering. May you be strong and confident. WHY LOVING KINDNESS MEDITATION? Especially [...]
As COVID lingers on, some wonder, “Will this ever end?” and “How will I ever get through this?” How many times have you asked yourself the latter question? We wonder how we will navigate the tough stuff of life. It’s not until the event or experience is fully in the rearview mirror that we are able to realize that [...]
I have been doing some observing and reading about being sensitive. It seems that many of the people who come in for counseling find themselves in this category. They may not use the word ‘sensitive’ but when they describe their experience it connects with qualities of one with a sensitive nature. It is something I am familiar with because [...]
My brain’s default mode is to wander, aimlessly, luxuriously, into a daydream. In fact, I think this came up once or twice on an early elementary school report card: “tends to daydream”. I think I got a check instead of a plus in one of the columns because of that. Someone about that same time called me lazy, [...]
How Seasons Can Affect Our Moods and Our Lives Every year at this time, when the break from summer ends and the school year starts, I feel a shift in both myself and the environment around me. It has been this way since I was a child. There is this anticipation of increased activity and responsibility; an anticipation that [...]
Anxiety is clever, it masquerades as all sorts of important sounding qualities: thoughtful people-pleaser; detail-oriented planner; and, one of my very favorites, ambitious go-getter. I can't even begin to name how many people I've encountered who keep their anxiety hidden and wrapped up tight in the mask of ambition. They often work too much, drink or eat too [...]
As I sit down to write, it is the middle of Holy Week in the Christian calendar, and of Passover for the Jewish one. It is also the day before my mother’s birthday. She would have been 84 years old tomorrow, had she not died 4 years and 2 months ago, after unexpected complications from a knee replacement surgery. She [...]
The lights, music, and decorations reminds us that the season of celebrations is upon us. Despite the promise of joy and happiness, we are confronted by societal pressures and expectations. We are encouraged to spend time with family and friends, but we are pushed to finish our holiday shopping. We speak of peace and love, but we spend most [...]
Life is precious and has so much to offer; yet our lives are busy with the daily routine of work, family, and activities. This fast paced hectic lifestyle causes stress, anxiety, frustration, and even depression. These emotions are natural; but sometimes can have significant effects on our behavior, bodies, mind, and well-being. It’s important to be able to slow down and enjoy [...]
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the U.S.? It affects 40 million adults, age 18 and older, or 18% of the population. We live in a time with many stressors and demands and little emphasis on taking time to be still and take care of ourselves. When we are under such persistent [...]
