On Being with Butterflies (Or Ways to Live a More Magical Life)

The painted ladies have taken over Southern California! I’ve seen them flitting about, showing off their gorgeous wings all over LA. I can’t tell you how many times a day I’ve stopped whatever I’m doing to simply gaze at them and take this special experience in.

On the Messiness of Life (Or Being the Dirty Kid)

Part of the beauty of life is its messiness and completely involving yourself in that messiness. It’s joyful and sad and frustrating and surprising and exciting and angering and scary and full of love and adventure and challenges and ups and downs.

Mindful Monday: Body Scan Meditation

A body scan meditation is a mindfulness practice that brings awareness to the body in the present moment. It focuses on the physical sensations we feel in every part of our body. It can be done in a short amount of time if needed to reduce intense emotions. Or it can be practiced for a lengthier amount of time (30-40 minutes) to delve deeper into mindfulness practice and create more peace and awareness overall.

Don't Confuse Drama for Passion

We're often hurt in relationships. Unfortunately, this usually begins at a young age. Sometimes intentionally. But more so often because someone else was hurt before us and they’ve never healed from that. So we carry the generations of pain into our current relationships.

Mindful Monday: Acceptance

Mindful Monday. On a Tuesday. Yep.

Yesterday I had zero time to write a blog post. Between a heavily booked day and some unforeseen, urgent matters, I wasn’t left with a spare moment. And I hadn’t prepared for that by writing one in advance. Someday I’ll be better about that.

On How to Not Feel Overwhelmed (At Least When Choosing Podcasts)

I’ve always liked having choices. I enjoy a lot of things so I want the option to experience all of those things. But I’ve gotten to a point in life where I’ve become overwhelmed with options and instead of making choices, I’m paralyzed by the thought of having to make a choice. Or maybe life has become overwhelming with options…

Mindful Monday: Loving-Kindness Meditation

I know a lot of eye rolling goes on when the topic of love comes up. It’s cheesy. It’s unattainable. It’s unrealistic. There’s so much more anger and sadness in this world. Well, if you choose to see it that way…

Mindful Monday: Thoughts

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about thinking. Which might not be the best idea since thinking can get us into a lot of trouble.

I just can’t help it. I work a lot with thoughts. That’s a major part of being a therapist (Besides the emotions, which I know y’all can’t get enough of.). “Tell me what you think about that,” “Are there any other ways to look at that,” “How can you reframe that?” The more I work with thoughts (Mine and those shared with me.), the more I question our relationship with them.

Mindful Monday: Transforming Fear to Courage

One thing I noticed in particular as I looked at these movements (whether big or small) is that  the struggle between fear and courage is always at the forefront. As I made my way to present day, I reflected on how badly some people want a wall between the United States and Mexico. While I won’t pretend to know the first thing about border security, I do know that if we’re putting up walls, figuratively or for real, it’s because we’re afraid.

Mindful Monday: Letting Go

At one point in my life, when I was much less mindful, I googled the phrase “how to let go.” It was a lifetime ago, so I don’t remember what I was struggling to let go, but if I was asking google, I must have been struggling.

The google search didn’t turn up much that was useful.

That’s because, as I learned in the years since, there isn’t a set algorithm to letting go.