The Most Beautiful Thing in the World
How to Get All the Benefits of Meditation by Balancing
“Use only that which works and take it from any place you can find it.” ~Bruce Lee
Ding.
The meditation timer chimes, and through a small miracle of willpower you managed to sit through an excruciating ten-minute meditation session.
What you should feel is a sense of accomplishment. After all, you often skip it altogether.
But instead you feel frustrated having just spent the entire session fidgeting, lost in fantasies that involve bragging to a friend about meditating today.
Your “monkey mind” is strong. It’s like a whole jungle of monkeys in there.
I went through the same thing …
The Anti-Anxiety Techniques That Prepare You for a Crisis
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” ~Dan Millman
One of the paradoxes of learning to cope with anxiety is that it often means you’re prepared for chaos and crisis. When everyone else is thrown by the uncertainty, you’re strangely at home because it is not as far from your day-to-day lived reality as it is to their’s.
I often joke that at a time of crisis, people with anxiety are like early adopters of the iPhone; we’re like “See, this is exactly what I’ve been telling you about!!! It …
When Happiness Hurts: How I Stopped Sabotaging Myself
“Disneyland is the star, everything else is the supporting role.” ~Walt Disney
“Just having a quick shower, I’ll text you before I leave x”
I’d received that text only ten minutes ago, so what the hell was wrong with me?
There I was standing in my kitchen like a mad woman, having a panic attack. My mind was in a frenzy with thoughts like “Does he even like me?” and “What if he doesn’t show?” and I was crying uncontrollably. I hated myself for feeling like this. I’d ruined my makeup and gotten myself into a state over nothing.
Half-hour …
Why Presence, Not Time, Is Your Most Important Asset
“Wherever you are, be there. Lifestyle is not something we do; it is something we experience. And until we learn to be there, we will never master the art of living well.” ~Jim Rohn
I have been told again and again that our time is our most precious asset. But I disagree.
The blogosphere is filled with tips on time management—how to get more for our time. I am willing to bet my life that you have come across many such tips online yourself.
You have probably even adopted some of them.
I myself am notorious for scouting the internet …
How to Say No Without Feeling the Need to Make Excuses
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” ~Brené Brown
Saying no is difficult for me. Whether it be to a loved one or a stranger, work tasks or a new hobby, something I enjoy or despise, saying no just plain sucks. So instead I say yes. I say yes to everyone and everything until I’m left exhausted, depleted, and with nothing left to give.
When COVID quarantine kicked-in I was forced to clear my calendar. Appointments, gatherings, travel plans—all cancelled. Instead of feeling disappointed, I began to feel …
The Most Common PTSD Myths and Symptoms, and How to Cope
“The dark night of the soul is a journey into light, a journey from your darkness into the strength and hidden resources of your soul.” ~Caroline Myss
Growing up in a household with both parents, my grandmothers, and pets, people often assumed we were the picture-perfect family. I participated in dance classes, sports, and we also had a lot of extended family gatherings. We lived in a pretty nice neighborhood, went to good schools, and both of my parents worked and were educated.
But, from a very young age, I witnessed and experienced frightening events and images no child should …
How to Enjoy Social Media and Stop Comparing Your Life to Others
“You never know what someone is going through. Be kind, always.” ~Unknown
A few months back I was at the park and passed a family taking what looked like holiday photos.
The mom’s hair was perfectly coifed, dad was nicely shaven and looking quite dapper, and four kids stood smiling between them—all wearing matching khaki and surprisingly clean white shirts.
I watched the khaki family out of the corner of my eye as I pushed a stroller along the gravel trail, thinking of what their holiday post might say as my baby yodeled her displeasure at facing the sun.
“Kayden …
I Am a Survivor, Not a Victim, and I’m Grateful for My Pain
TRIGGER WARNING: This post deals with an account of sexual abuse and may be triggering to some people.
“Emotional pain cannot kill you but running from it can. Allow. Embrace. Let yourself feel. Let your yourself heal.” ~Vironika Tugaleva
I was nine years old, sitting on the couch with my dad, watching a Very Brady Christmas (on my sister’s birthday, December 20th) when he first molested me. Terror, confusion, disbelief, and shame comingled to create a cocktail that would poison me for many years to come.
We grew up in a family that, from the outside, seemed …
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