Today kicks off my 40-day countdown celebration to turning 40 years old. Yes, you read that correctly; I am indeed celebrating this momentous time in my life with something special every day leading up to my birthday. I refuse to spend the last weeks of my 30s mourning my so-called youth, especially when the awe and wonder I feel toward life only grows with each passing day. Sure, it would be … [Read more...]
On Monday, August 21, a solar eclipse will fully cross the United States, from coast to coast, for the first time in almost a century. Qigong master Mingtong Gu writes that a total solar eclipse has alchemical–or transformative–energy and symbolizes "the direct earthly experience of cosmic and celestial energy -- pure potential and power -- for good or bad." As whatever we hold in our … [Read more...]
I know I’m not alone in trying to process the terror and violence that recently erupted in Charlottesville, VA. The brutal altercation between rallying white supremacists and counter-protestors has slammed more tidal waves of horror, disbelief and sorrow about race relations against the rocky foundation of our country. It has compelled a period of deep reflection on what the United States of … [Read more...]
Ram Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung I invoke the vitality of the Sun: Let it purify and energize me. I call on the compassion of the Cosmos: Let it soothe, nurture and protect me. I embrace the infinite healing energy Of the abundant Universe: Let it guide my every action Toward harmony, balance and health. I AM THAT I AM: I am the healer, and I am healed. … [Read more...]
Lately, I've been doing a lot of meditating on whether there comes a time in your life when it's too late to shift gears and move in another direction. While sometimes it can feel like we've gone too far down the wrong the path to turn back now, I have seen so much evidence of people being able to reinvent themselves, to learn and grow, to evolve toward a better version of self. I have long … [Read more...]
When it comes to our personal experience of the world around us, perception is everything. How we perceive our environment is largely influenced by the information our brains receive from our senses, which help us to determined how to behave and what to feel in a given situation. Every day, we rely on the five most recognizable senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. However, our brains … [Read more...]
There are periods of my life when I have grown paralyzed while facing the veiled path of the future that lies ahead. The plethora of choices available to me overwhelms: Which direction is the correct one to pursue right now? Can I follow it without completely neglecting my other desired paths? What if I make the wrong choice? Other times, the choice is clear, but uncertainty confounds me. What … [Read more...]
Has anyone else been feeling out-of-sorts today leading up to tonight's full moon? Other folks have been describing the unexpected fatigue I woke up to, as if needing to cocoon ourselves for a spell before opening up a fresh pair of wings once again to embrace the sky. As we shift into a new cycle, a new month, it is a perfect time to let go of what no longer serves us. To let go of self-doubt. … [Read more...]
With an extremely active mind and the constant distraction of chronic pain, for many years I felt that the practice of meditation was off-limits to me. Coming to so-called quiet standstill released a seemingly endless flow of thoughts upon thoughts. And when I wasn’t struggling to silence those, I was coaxing my defiant body to release tension and pain from tight and spasming muscles to slip into … [Read more...]
The holidays are quickly upon us, and I’m cheerfully listening to Christmas music and wrapping presents. My love and I have three-and-a-half Christmas events we’re attending in the next two days, so I know how much time is a commodity for us all this season. If you are a last-minute shopper, I’m sharing my holiday gift guide, including some of my personal favorites for the body, mind and soul. And … [Read more...]