My friend Kayla and I ran a student organization together at our graduate school. One day, we were sitting at the local café, talking about plans for the organization. Kayla had an idea for a major creative project she would drive and lead.
The idea was fabulous, and I didn’t like it.… Read More
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
Up until my early 20s, I carried around a lot of anger toward someone in my life. I’d been hurt by a person I trusted, and for a long time in my adolescence I wanted to hurt them back.… Read More
“Some people think it’s holding that makes one strong–sometimes it’s letting go.” ~Unknown
Today I’ve been thinking about fences, I guess as a metaphor for boundaries in life. There are many different kinds of fences, but that they all have the same purpose: creating a boundary.
Whether it’s a sweet white picket fence with roses or the electrified chain fencing at a federal prison, what it signifies is a line drawn in the sand.… Read More
“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.” ~Unknown
There are certain events that can rock us to the core: starting a new job, moving across the country, ending a relationship. Within the past three months, I’ve experienced all three of these things.
For someone who is resistant to change, it can be difficult when everywhere I look there’s a new sight to take in, new people to meet, and even a new industry to learn.… Read More
Since I’ve written a lot about letting go in the past, I’m always excited to find new resources for living mindfully and peacefully. With that in mind, I was very excited to be part of the well, then relaunch.
Well, then is a community-based website where people can share tips about wellness in a number of categories, including:
Full disclosure: Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare, the not-for-profit health plan that sponsored this initiative, compensated me to contribute content for the re-launch.… Read More
“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” ~C.C. Scott
A blueberry muffin–that’s the last thing we spoke about before she went under.
I didn’t know it then, but it was to be the final conversation my (middle) daughter and I would have for a very long time.… Read More
“The greatest obstacle to connecting with our joy is resentment.” ~Pema Chodron
Today, I hopped in the company van for a trip I make once a week with one of two primary clients. In the mental health division of my company, driving is a requirement. Most of the clients don’t drive, and they need coordinated transportation to and from their appointments and leisure activities.… Read More
“The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~Unknown
This is a phrase that had become a central theme in my life. One night, during one of my all too frequent bouts of insomnia, I sat at my computer and decided to write about my discontent, my middle aged angst.… Read More
We all get stuck: paralyzed about a decision, unsure what choice to make. Stuck in resentment or disappointment we can’t quite recover from. Stuck in a plan that’s not working as anticipated. Stuck in a destructive, repetitive dynamic with family members, coworkers, or friends.
When we’re stuck, things feel immovable, entrenched, even hopeless.… Read More
“Hope is the feeling that the feeling you have isn’t permanent.” ~Joan Kerr
A year ago I lost my best friend of forty-eight years to a pulmonary embolism. It came quickly and unannounced, and it took him instantly.
I found out about his death on Twitter. Because of the length and depth of our friendship I had never known life without him.… Read More
Happy day! As you can see, tinybuddha.com has a new design.
Earlier this week, I mentioned I was excited to launch this new site in conjunction with the one-year anniversary.
In that somewhat long post, I announced three book giveaways I planned to conduct in celebration. It’s not too late if you haven’t already entered to win.… Read More
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” -Elbert Hubbard
This year has been a massive change for me. I had enough of the lameness that was freezing my previous life. Always experiencing the same days, meeting the same people and doing the same things.… Read More
“Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~Unknown
There are two basic human emotions that are the driving force behind each thought, each daily inspiration and that rare but pivotal new-chapter, life-changing decision. … Read More
“Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” ~Aristotle
At the end of the day, when I feel completely exhausted, oftentimes it has nothing to do with all the things I’ve done.
It’s not a consequence of juggling multiple responsibilities and projects. It’s not my body’s way of punishing me for becoming a late-life jogger after a period of cardiovascular laziness.… Read More
In three weeks, my boyfriend and I might move from the Bay area to LA; or we might move in here with roommates if he decides not pursue a film career.
I am starting a new work-from-home writing gig to pay my bills while I write my book. It might be something I can do in under two days a week, or it may require more time.… Read More
“I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I don’t know about anyone else, but sometimes I can be a prisoner to my own thoughts, and forget that I have the freedom to choose. Choose a different thought. Choose a different experience. Choose a different interpretation.… Read More
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~Lao Tzu
If you’d asked me about money five years ago, I would’ve said “Oh I’m never going to have money.” On the surface this sentiment didn’t bother me. I have a job I love and a great marriage, so who needs money?… Read More
“No problem is insurmountable. With a little courage, teamwork, and determination, a person can do anything.” ~Unknown
Some problems seem far too overwhelming to solve. When you’re buried in debt, or trying to bounce back from a huge error in judgment, it can feel like there’s no way out.
I remember when I first learned about my fibroids last year.… Read More
“After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies.” ~Samuel Rutherford
I was talking to someone this week about his feeling that things weren’t happening fast enough. That with all he was doing, intending and putting out there, that more should be happening—and faster.… Read More
“Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.” ~Pema Chodron
I’m arachnophobic. Last night, a large spider took up residence on the wall in my room. The shock of seeing its dark mass seated comfortably against the stark white of the paint made the blood drain from my head.… Read More
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