The world is, at present, a pretty wild place. I know that chaos isn't unique to present times, and that each generation of humans has faced upheaval. But pain and stress are relative. What each individual faces is unique to that individual, and knowing that pain is a shared experience doesn't make feeling it any … Continue reading Reading beautiful things to get a break from the world
HOPE.
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com The world currently feels like a very chaotic and heartbreaking place. I had a post about the war in Ukraine floating around in my head, and then a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas happened on May 24th, 2022. Both of these events are now somehow linked … Continue reading HOPE.
Speak Love: Showing Appreciation for the “Little Things”
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com Today has been a normal day: I woke up, took the kids to school, and got my car's oil changed. While getting my car's oil changed, the staff at the location I chose were friendly and funny. We shared a few laughs and I drove away with a smile … Continue reading Speak Love: Showing Appreciation for the “Little Things”
Back to basics: the Occam’s Razor approach to mental health
Time for a confession: I have been struggling with my mental health lately. As we are all collectively living through a global pandemic, I'm sure I'm not the only one struggling. Sometimes, however, it's easy to develop tunnel vision and start thinking, "I've taken a turn for the worse," or "this state of increased depression/anxiety/etc. … Continue reading Back to basics: the Occam’s Razor approach to mental health
Is it possible to practice mindfulness during times of stress?
I took a short break from this blog after having a medical procedure. All is now well with my body, but recovery was slow and sometimes challenging. I was, thankfully, well-supported by my family, but not feeling 100% with two young children at home meant that I felt busier than normal in November and December. … Continue reading Is it possible to practice mindfulness during times of stress?
Make your own cold brew coffee sustainably at home
The effects of caffeine on health and mood are a bit of a mixed bag (this article from Very Well Mind sums them up quite well). However, there is something to be said for the joy that a ritual can impart, as well as the joy gained from small experiences we truly enjoy. Morning coffee … Continue reading Make your own cold brew coffee sustainably at home
On mortality and magic
We know, as humans, that we are mortal. We learn this fact when we are young and we adjust to what it means for our entire lives. The knowledge can feel abstract and non-threatening at times, or quite the opposite at others. Regardless of what you believe happens to us when we cross that final … Continue reading On mortality and magic
Find Joy: “Build A Ladder” with Martina of King Kogi and Eatyourkimchi Studio
Some days are harder than others. Whether a combination of small troubles add up to be overwhelming, or you're navigating something more serious like chronic illness or grief, occasionally we all have a day where we hit the proverbial wall and aren't sure how to move forward. One resource I repeatedly turn to when either … Continue reading Find Joy: “Build A Ladder” with Martina of King Kogi and Eatyourkimchi Studio
Buddha’s Brain: Chapter two recap and discussion
Chapter two of Buddha's Brain is aptly titled "The Evolution of Suffering" because it walks the reader through the myriad ways our brains use negativity as a survival tactic. The methods our brains utilize are effective but less necessary now since we as modern humans are more predator than prey, especially when compared to our … Continue reading Buddha’s Brain: Chapter two recap and discussion
Find Joy: Let’s take a walk
Sometimes you have a day so deliciously wonderful that you have to do something to slow down and truly savor it. Other times your day is such a challenge that you need to take action in a way that allows you to escape it. I posit that, in both scenarios, a walk is all you … Continue reading Find Joy: Let’s take a walk
Find Joy, Speak Love 