Editor’s Note: This is a contribution by Kara Heissman
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” ~Socrates
A few years ago, the focal point of my life was my work. It took up and made up a huge portion of my life. In retrospect, I would even say that work became a sort of obsession.… Read More
“Some people think it’s holding that makes one strong—sometimes it’s letting go.” ~Unknown
My mom leaned in and gave me a goodnight kiss. The only light illuminating her face was coming from the hallway. I looked up at her, and in the confidence of the dark confessed, “I saw it.”
“It” was my birthday present, waiting patiently for me to wake up in the morning and claim it from its place in the garage.… Read More
“You validate people’s lives by your attention.” ~Unknown
When my husband and I lived in New Providence, the capital island of the Bahamas, we rented a charming wooden cottage with a sweeping vista of the ocean from a sweet, elderly man who was 88 years old.
Our landlord Leslie lived alone in an elegant house next door to our cottage and I made it a habit to visit him each day, after arriving home from teaching at a local high school.… Read More
“It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” -Unknown
My son has chickenpox.
It started a few days ago and today is his third day at home.
As a work at home mom who is her own boss, I’m fortunate that I can be at home with my son instead of having to ask my employer for time off work.… Read More
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” ~Havelock Ellis
Imagine that you have to move in two days. Would you be able to pack all your possessions in that time and clean out your house completely?
How about your mental baggage? If you have only two days left to finish all the important projects in your life, would you be able to do it?… Read More
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” ~Hermann Hesse
We’ve all had moments when life’s demands left us feeling stressed and scattered. In these moments, it’s helpful to have some simple tools to help us gain composure and come back to our center.… Read More
“Continuous effort—not strength or intelligence—is the key to unlocking our potential.” ~Winston Churchill
I declared myself a mess a long time ago. I lived in a constant, dull state of fear and anxiety. My emotions were more volatile than hurricane season, and not even I could predict how any given situation would affect me.… Read More
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” ~African Proverb
Sometimes, we all need to ascertain whether we’re inadvertently contributing to the struggles and challenges we face.
When we have to deal with a tough issue, it can be hard to decipher whether it is truly an objective problem, or if we have (at least some) subconscious ownership of it.… Read More
“Letting go isn’t the end of the world; it’s the beginning of a new life.” ~Unknown
As we welcomed the Spring Equinox on March 20th, with it came a sense of lightness in the air—in our bodies with healthier food options, in our minds as we flirt with the idea of summer on the horizon, and in our spirits as we are able to enjoy later sunsets with loved ones.… Read More
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” ~Thomas Merton
“If you have aspirin, please take it now. It might be bitter, but if you’re having a heart attack, it will help.”
If I wasn’t already anxious, hearing this advice the nurse gave me certainly didn’t help.… Read More
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” ~Thomas Merton
The vast majority of people I know have two different types of work: the kind that pays the bills, and the kind they wrap their heart around.
For some people, those are one and the same, but often that takes time, dedication, and a willingness to blur the traditional boundaries that separate work and social life.… Read More
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As a Libra, my sign is the scale, which signifies balance. I’m not sure how much my “signage” plays into my desire to live a balanced life, but I do know that the more balanced I feel, the more free I feel.
In my work I am often reminded that what works for some people does not necessarily work for others; and that one person’s idea of balance may not constitute anything remotely balanced from another person’s perspective.… Read More
“Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Your mornings set the tone for the rest of the day. We all know this. If you get off to a bad start, oftentimes the rest of your day follows suit.
The best way to combat this is to come up with a meaningful morning practice that acts as a buffer between getting up and starting your day, and puts you in the right headspace to go out and face the world.… Read More
The yoga class I attended yesterday included a number of balances, from simple tree pose to a “floating” ardha chandrasana. I am not certain why, but I was struggling to find a steady balance on one side.
I arrived late feeling flustered, and my mind was spinning and worrying as we worked our way into the flow.… Read More
Update: The winners have already been chosen for this giveaway. Subscribe to The Tiny Buddha List to learn about future contests!
“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out alive.” ~Elbert Hubbard
I have the utmost respect for mothers.
Their daily lives require an aptitude for all the qualities that make us good people: love, kindness, patience, generosity, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of balance.… Read More
Yesterday morning, two of the correspondents on the news in Boston (where I’m home for the holidays) had an interesting conversation about the classic It’s a Wonderful Life.
One of them said he’s not a big fan of the movie, which instilled a sense of complete outrage in me.
How dare he take George Bailey’s name in vain?… Read More
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