Imagine being way below the ocean’s surface, peering up (especially on a hot day like today!). The oceans’s surface could be still and serene, like this feature image. However, it could very well be choppy and wild– depending on all sorts of reasons. But from the depths of the ocean, you’re unaware and unaffected by…
Tag: emotional health
Celebrate When We Make Effort to Take Care of Ourselves
I exclaimed to my husband one night, “Way to take care of yourself!” And, though I was hoping he would laugh a little, I was also genuinely joyful in my praise of his effort to take care of himself. (For those of you who know me well, you can probably envision my wide-open eyes, outstretched…
I am More Than Enough
In my recovery and post-recovery from traumatic brain injury, there’ve been numerous times when I’ve believed the lie that I’m less than. In my recovery, this feeling was mostly related to the mental and physical limitations I was experiencing. And in my post-recovery, this feeling has been related to some residual accident limitations but mostly…
Identify What Can Wait
As I’m writing this, I’m looking at toys strewn across my living room floor as well as a laundry basket overflowing with clean clothes. This mess … can wait. (And for that matter, whatever else might be vying for my attention… can wait.) Those things—while in some moments, take priority— in this moment, they don’t….
Use How Our Bodies were Made to Bring Us Peace
Whatever you are noticing inside you and outside you right now, may our hearts… be encouraged! If you’re up for a little experiment, try placing one hand on your heart and the other on your belly. Let them rest there for a couple seconds, then switch. Which one feels better? Do you notice any sensations…
Grow in Trying(!) to be Open, and Experience Benefits
I started making this Canva art on Mother’s Day morning while my husband took our toddler to get me a coffee and pastry. (Oh, it was glorious!!): THEN, by 1pm my husband was feeling queasy and was sure enough in bed for the next day. Ha! Way to put being open into practice. I had…
Discover Our Safe Havens
If you could imagine a safe haven space, what would it be like? What would you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch? How would you feel in this place? When I imagine a safe haven spot for me, nature images like these are probably the first that come to mind: Whatever your spot… is your…
Beginner’s Guide to Mindfulness
Late last February (two weeks before the national shutdown), I went to a cluster of lectures facilitated by the famous Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis. I remember feeling exhilarated as I walked to this workshop, gleefully rejoicing that my 2-month-old was sleeping (on me), that I figured out how to use the baby carrier and felt good…
I am… not alone
Who else has felt– or is feeling– isolated? Or trapped? In this pandemic? In a job/ home/season of life? You are not alone. After the first 4 weeks of parenthood, I shared with others how isolated I had been feeling. Then, come to find out, it seems like many moms resonate with this feeling. If…
The Power of Buying a Farm! Or at least Getting Out and Imagining:)
An eerie layer of smoke has been hugging LA for awhile now. The other weekend was particularly tricky, difficult, and sad, for me at least. On a whim, my husband, baby, and I decided to jump in the car and drive to Ventura County…. to look at farms to buy! For fun. We had watched…