Skip to content

Blog

Seeing The Purpose (Again)

    see-the-purpose

    After watching Mr. Holland’s Opus last night I felt it was appropriate to re-post this piece from last summer.

    I think many of us struggle with trying to create our grand symphony in life– whether we can’t find the time, or don’t know exactly how it looks or sounds.
    Mr. Holland came to realize that his opus was his students. All those years teaching — that was his symphony — not his after-hours passion of creation.
    His purpose was embedded in the day to day.

    What would it feel like to know this while you’re in it…to know that what you’re doing every day has meaning for yourself and others? We tend to look beyond for the great purpose which could potentially push it off it into an elusive place.

    Here’s what I had to say about this last July.

    Read More »Seeing The Purpose (Again)

    Practice To Be Better

    Image: Fritz Paneth
    Image: Fritz Paneth

    People that are really into yoga call it their practice.
    They’d say something like I am so glad I woke up early to practice this morning.
    Or they’d ask a friend did you practice yet today?

    Meditation is pretty much the same…it’s considered a practice.
    Unlike performers whose rehearsal culminates in a performance, practice is ongoing with the intention of learning, or instilling patterns of behavior or movement.Read More »Practice To Be Better

    Lessons On Listening From My Kindergartner

    whole-body
    Earlier in the school year, G came home talking about whole body listening.
    It’s this (explained by G):

    Whole Body listening is when you sit down, and keep your hands in your lap.
    You watch Debbie (the teacher) and pay attention.
    You don’t talk and you don’t move.
    You think about what she is saying.

    Awesome.
    It’s like whole living and mindfulness wrapped up in one!

    And how great is it that kids are learning this so young?
    But wait–are adults actually doing it?Read More »Lessons On Listening From My Kindergartner

    Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

    reader
    It’s a good thing I wasn’t put off by the title of Anna Deavere Smith’s book Letters To A Young Artist.

    First off, I’m not young.
    Second, how do I know if I’m artist? I don’t paint. I’m terrible at drawing. Does web writing count?

    It was the name of the first chapter, Presence, that drew me into the book. I thought, awesome – the book begins with a word on mindfulness…how cool is that– this actress (who I LOVE from Nurse Jackie) is touching on one of my favorite topics.Read More »Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

    Swimming In Comfort: It Starts With The Right Bathing Suit

    Image: graymalin.com
    Image: graymalin.com

    Summer is on!
    And to celebrate its arrival we spent the day at the pool –not the packed-to-the-max-no-floaties-allowed public pool, we trekked out to the burbs to swim with all the fixins. Think super slides, rotating sprinklers and a lap lane to boot!

    Of course the kids were ready to jump right in, but I always have a moment of hesitation when it’s time to undress. Taking off my top (or whatever my cover-up is) always brings a bit of a flutter, and this day was no different. There I stood, about to reveal my body (in a bathing suit) and the big Uh-Oh crossed my mind.Read More »Swimming In Comfort: It Starts With The Right Bathing Suit

    Beauty From The Inside Out: Secrets From A Facialist

      beauty-inside-out
      Image: Tim Barber

      Real style starts on the inside.
      It’s a culmination of self care that salutes all aspects of your being. Whether it’s engaging in an assortment of mindfulness practices to following a healthy program in diet and lifestyle — our appearance is a reflection of what’s going on inside.

      One part of my self care program is getting facials. I’ve seen a huge difference in my skin based on the valuable recommendations from my facialist, Jackie. She’s a wealth of knowledge on good skincare, and her philosophy goes beyond an arsenal of great products– it’s beauty from the inside out. Read More »Beauty From The Inside Out: Secrets From A Facialist