A student at the university where I work, stopped me to say thank you. She was honored that I had asked her to play a piano at a donor event. She was genuinely happy and grateful. I realized that by asking her to play, I had affirmed her talent and hard work. I had reaffirmed … Continue reading Value
Tag: Self awareness
Awareness
The Queen’s Gambit and the Messy Middle
The Queen’s Gambit creator Scott Frank has said that even though there is demand for a second season of the Netflix limited series, there will not be one. He explained, “The joy of a single-season show is the promise of a complete story. Knowing the ending from the onset means that when the season concludes, … Continue reading The Queen’s Gambit and the Messy Middle
Valley of Shadows
Free from all old stories I've been toldI walk through the valley of my own shadowGajumaru performed by Yaima Most weekdays I listen to inspirational music as I get ready for work. Last week I was listening to a friend’s playlist when these words grabbed me. I have listened to this song every day this … Continue reading Valley of Shadows
The Observer
When I am able to step away from the commotion around me, to see what is happening, I become the observer. When I am able to pause the stories in my head and see what emotion they are covering or protecting, I become the observer. My daily physical and spiritual practices not only ground me, … Continue reading The Observer
Mantra Monday: Space on the High Road
Though I have heard or read “You can’t control other people, you can only control your reactions to them” or the abbreviated version, “You can only control your actions and reactions,” hundreds of times, I was sure I had superpowers. I have spent my life trying to control people, outcomes and situations. I was always … Continue reading Mantra Monday: Space on the High Road
Monkey Brain vs. Monk Brain
Lately my monkey brain has been working overtime drudging up narratives of shame, comparisons, anger, victimhood and complaints. One morning this week the monkey started before I got out of bed, quieted down while I did yoga and meditated and then returned with a vengeance as I got ready for work. My fiery nature was … Continue reading Monkey Brain vs. Monk Brain
Mantra Monday
Mantras and affirmations are a part of my daily practice. I like to recite my ever evolving list of four to six mantas as part of my meditation practice. I keep my current affirmation list on my phone and on a post-it note on my desk at work. When I feel myself becoming frustrated, agitated, … Continue reading Mantra Monday
Buck Norms
When I was four-years-old I made two announcements: 1. I was an adult and would be treated as such, and 2. I was not going to have babies so I did not need a daddy. I was going to raise puppies. Everyone thought that was cute, but I was not kidding. As I aged, I … Continue reading Buck Norms
Brené, I hear you!
One of my weekly journal prompts was to look at what triggers me when I react with anger. Of course I skipped that prompt. A couple of days later I found myself in a confrontational situation after a neighborhood meeting. The exchange upset me so much that I was unable to sleep that night. I … Continue reading Brené, I hear you!
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
“The ox is slow but the earth is patient.” Dad, via Confucius Sometimes I stop and realize how much I have evolved over time. How quickly I forget life before the change or the times I fall back into old patterns only to, as my yoga teacher constantly said, “begin again.” Fifteen years ago I … Continue reading Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
