In this area, I discuss topics related to mental, physical and emotional well-being. Join me–let me know what you’d like to hear about or comment on what I’ve already said.
Two Weeks to Form a habit? I regret to inform you all that my mother was wrong. But only about how long it takes to form a habit. Amongst her many other endearing traits, my mother’s ability to believe is awe-inspiring. Growing up, my mother told us that it took exactly two weeks to form a … Continue reading How to Make “it” a Habit
Gratitude--Oprah-style (Anybody else start singing "Gangnam Style", but substituting "Oprah-style? --It can't be just me...) Every morning when I open my curtains for that first look at the day, no matter what the day looks like—raining, foggy, overcast, sunny—my heart swells with gratitude. I get another chance.-Oprah Winfrey Do you hear the birds singing this … Continue reading Gratitude: Oprah’s Life Lessons
Practice, practice, practice! The good news is that with all this practice I'm getting, I don’t really think about Patrick Swayze when I’m doing pottery anymore. Sure, when my pots are flopping, he sort of pats me on the back and says “Bon courage!”—and I think, “Man! He also speaks French?” Flashback..... Kidding aside, I’d like … Continue reading The Importance of Practice (in Pottery and Poetry)
Got clutter in your hard drive? (your mental hard drive counts as well!). In this post, I will appear to contradict myself, so bear with me. My premise? Sometimes, in order to unclutter you must gather all the clutter into one space. With your clutter stacked up together, the task of truly purging will be … Continue reading How to Get your Hard Drive Clutter-Free: A Contradiction
Do you feel that? The tug towards change—lean your ear toward the birds chirping beyond your windowpane. Pull open the curtain—better yet, yank the blind like they did in our childhood cartoons so that it hits the top with a BING! Come on. I dare you to rebel—put on your rubber boots (or don’t) and … Continue reading A Change of Season
“Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.” Will Smith Fear is a feeling induced by perceived danger or threat that causes changed in our metabolic and organ functions. It also changed out typical behavior: a person who … Continue reading Shout It From the Rooftops: Facing Fear
Sorry I've been absent. But then again, maybe you haven’t even noticed. Sometimes I get all stuck up in my head about what others might deem important. I’m so busy thinking about what everyone else might be thinking, that I miss my mark altogether. Has this ever happened to you? Remember that everyone need a … Continue reading This Season of Fallow
Feel that lack of inspiration? Maybe It's time to refuel. This winter has been very long, but that might be because I’m not as busy as I’ve always been. As I’ve taught my students for the past twenty-plus years, with freedom comes responsibility. I’m slowing down, catching up on the sleep, reading books piled on … Continue reading Inspiration: It’s Time to Refuel
Mom, please accept my apologies... (pretty please, on my knees, with a cherry on top!) I'd like to officially apologize to my mother for all those times I thought I knew everything, when, in fact, I knew almost nothing. Actually, I probably owe a few of you this same apology. It's free for the taking. Now … Continue reading The Dunning-Kruger Effect and an Apology to my Mother
My mother taught me lots of lessons--some lessons I learned, others I'm still learning. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my mother it’s that you’ve got what you’ve been given, so you’d better make it work. (Yes, Mother. I know—I hear you loud and clear, “I have never said that!” But, just like my … Continue reading Show VS Tell and Other Lessons My Mother Attempted to Teach