This week’s song comes from Bruno Mars. Whenever I need to clear out my thoughts and feelings, this song does the trick. Mental Hygiene Just as we brush our teeth twice a day to keep our mouth clean, mental hygiene keeps our minds clear and healthy. When anxious feelings or thoughts of despair start to poison our attitude, practicing good mental hygiene reminds us to replace them with more valuable and productive ideas. Get up and Dance, shaking loose the stuck and making room for the new. Sing to clear out the throat and sometimes talking to someone can help us work through what hasRead More →

This song always gives me the chills whenever I hear it come on the radio. (I know, I’m old school still listening to music over the airwaves!) Although John Lennon and Paul McCartney first wrote and performed this song, I’ve always loved the Joe Cocker version because he was inspired by them. As we head into this week, let’s take a few minutes to think about how we show love and appreciation for our friends and family. Our daily lives get filled up so quickly with drama, responsibilities, and challenges. It’s important we remember we’re not sailing through these stormy seas all by ourselves. WeRead More →

This post is part of my cornerstone content, written years ago, updated for today and still inspiring wisdom and deep understanding. As a kid, I was under the impression that I’d have all of the answers when I grew up. I’d know what I wanted and how I was going to get it. I thought there would come this magical time in the future when all of my questions and fears would melt away, and I’d know, no matter what, I was going to be happy. Well, come to find out, that day never comes. The truth is the only way any of us knowRead More →

This post is part of my cornerstone content, originally written back a few years ago, updated for today, and still inspiring wisdom and deep understanding. (This post was originally written in 2015.) Although she’s not quite as exuberant as she used to be, Tootsie still loves to chase the stick and walk every day. Now it’s more of a short stroll she takes to sniff and pee and check up on who else has been through the neighborhood. It’s like FaceBook for dogs.  It was during one of these strolls that I became aware of one of my bad habits. After she had stopped forRead More →

This post is part of my cornerstone content, written years ago, updated for today, and still inspiring wisdom and deep understanding. As I sit here typing, I feel the lizard (the ancient part of my brain that wants to keep me “safe”) pushing me to do it already. “Write the post, then you can be done. Just write it and then start working on the other 9 things on your to-do list. You have a lot to do today, so it’s time to get cracking.” Geesh, pressure much?! My lizard wants me to make it quick, something short and sweet. Although I could write something to getRead More →

This post is part of my cornerstone content, written many years ago, updated for today, and still inspiring wisdom and deep understanding. This is the story of my first spiritual awakening, although I didn’t realize it at the time. I was married once before. My first husband and I were always looking for some way to make the other feel small. (Especially if there was someone else around to try to impress.) Communication between us was sarcastic, contemptuous, and cynical, and usually ended up with one or both of us sulking, at best. Fortunately, we divorced after only being married for a year. It was theRead More →

This post is part of my cornerstone content, written years ago, updated today, inspiring wisdom and deep understanding. When I was about 10 or 11 years old, I remember looking at my pile of gifts one Christmas morning. Santa had been generous that year, so there was quite a bit to carry into my room. Although it is embarrassing to admit, I specifically remember thinking, “Now” where am I going to put all of this crap?” Ugh. All of those gifts, all of the anticipation, and all of the joy turned to ‘crap” simply because I didn’t think I had enough storage space. I’m sharing thisRead More →