Archive for Self-Care

My Story

I wait with the others, their troubles tucked tight within them.  We all hold close our coats of normal, our means of putting that one foot in front of the other, that one day after this one day. You turn the corner and I feel you before I see you and as we greet I’m [...]

Healthy Habits

Healthy habits are the intentional act of choosing to do things you feel good about. Perhaps you’re choosing to do something now instead of procrastinate. Perhaps you’re choosing a practice that’s new and different. Healthy habits are often started as a way to break old bad habits.    We’re back to that image of the wheel in [...]

OLD HABITS

Old habits don’t die easy.   It all starts in the brain. A chemical pathway is laid down when when we think or do something. Each succeeding repetition of this act or thought puts down new neurotransmitters. Over time, these chemicals create a pathway, a  rut if you will. The action becomes easily done without effort. It becomes a habit. [...]

A Grounding Exercise

Here is one way to be here and now. Wherever you are as you read this, begin to mindfully be present by starting with one sense, such as hearing. Name a sound you hear. Now move through each of your five senses, in turn naming a new sensation, like this: I hear the cat chewing his food [...]

Mindfulness

What does it mean to be grounded? It sounds like a new age term, calling up images of crystals and feathers and unwashed hair. Really, being grounded is nothing more than being present, here and now.  The question arises, how can you not be present? Are you not alive in this moment? Your chest moves with [...]

Dealing With Drama

At my local hobby club, I have become aware of an undercurrent of swirling energy. I feel it at the edges of my nerves and stomach every time I leave for the club, and I have to brush aside these fluttering  black butterflies detracting from my happiness.  As I drive down the highway, the pavement stretches before my eager [...]

Centered Mindfulness

Centered Mindfulness Is . . . Silent Stable Peaceful Inclusive Calm Joyful Easy Friendly Nonjudgmental Balanced Restful Fluid Unaffected Undisturbed Appropriate Respectful of Boundaries Enduring Empowering Positive

Drama Is . . .

Unnecessary Situational Conflict laden Hooking you Opposing Gossipy Negative Reactive Hidden Exclusive Triangulating Misinterpreting Distorting Skewed thinking Unresolved Tangled False Producing low esteem Anxious Emotional Angry Misplaced Temporary

It Takes Practice

Many of us believe happiness is a state of being we will arrive at when we are successful or deserving. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when I have x amount of money,” or “I’ll be happy when my child graduates from college.” But happiness is not an outcome, an end result or an arrival [...]

What Message Are You Sending?

Have you ever gotten into someone’s car that looked and smelled like the bottom of a purse? It may have been dusty and dirty, with papers and candy wrappers scattered on the floor, as well as a forgotten tube of lipstick. The back seat was loaded with junk.  After moving things around to find room for your feet, you [...]