My good friend John is an Olympic class skier. I am strictly a Bunny Sloper. I don’t mind going fast. I don’t mind wearing skis. I like being on mountains. I’m just not terribly good, and I’m okay with that. When we were in college, we took a weekend and headed to Georgia Bay in Canada….
I spend a healthy chunk of my time feeling like I’m a little hamster in a wheel. I’m running, running, running, but I’m getting nowhere. I step off, and it feels like I’m in the exact same place. Oh, the frustration of those moments. “Crap!” I cry out. “Nothing has changed. I’m no closer to…
A friend just asked how to use the time while walking a labyrinth. I walk every labyrinth I come across. I love them for their ancient wisdom and the answers and insights they help me find. First, I would say there are as many answers as there are people. For myself, I walk labyrinths to…
I have been thinking a lot of about time in the last few days. I have embarked upon a new meditation practice. I’m starting small and dedicating only ten minutes a day (five in the morning and five in the evening). The time allotment might seem too short for some, but it has a purpose….
I have just been smacked in the face with some hard truths. I have asked myself tough questions and gotten painful replies. I could navel-gaze at you all, but I won’t. Instead, I will talk about truth-telling. I don’t want to lie to myself, ever (and I think we are all excellent at deceiving ourselves…
I’ve spent the day alternating between being okay and screaming. How do I find the words to express to all the families and friends of those who were slaughtered last night? How do I rise above when all around me others are suffering? How do I act? What can I do? I suppose I could…
Have you noticed how quickly people on the internet want to point out when you are wrong? I am amazed at some people’s need to point when you have made a mistake. If you use a word or phrase improperly, they are all over you like white on rice. And I’m not talking about the…
Anyone who has ever worked with me, in any teaching capacity, knows my first act when teaching is to get everyone to stop and breathe. Whether I am working with fourth graders or NASA scientists, I always say the following: “Before we start, I’m going to ask you all to stand on up …” and…
Yesterday, when I promised to write about this topic, I thought I would be rarin’ to go. I’m amazed how insidious that self-doubt can be. I’ll do anything to avoid getting my butt in the seat and doing the work. I’ll walk the dog, I’ll meditate (again). I’ll drink more water. By themselves, these things…
I’m reading Steven Pressfield’s excellent book, “The War of Art.” If you have any desire to pursue your art, run towards this book with open arms. So far, it’s amazing, validating, and oh so frustrating. Pressfield points out all the hidden places we run to keep ourselves from working on our art/craft. I’ve winced more…