The Power of 18 Minutes

This is one of my favorite meditations. It was not love at first listen though. I had to get past the fact that the voice sounds like it could be in a parody film....or a mentalist show...or may be about to ask me to cluck like a chicken...

Everyone will connect with something different, but during my trip to Jamaica in January, I mindfully sat on a lounger under a palm tree, where I could see the ocean waves, at sunrise and used every cell of my being to connect with the energy around me; to absorb it, memorize it, feel it in every part of who I was. The salty, light breeze, the heat coming off the warmed towels, the colors of the sky, the crash of the waves--I became part of it and we moved together.

So when I got home, I went to YouTube to find something that I could use to try to tickle my memories and coax out the pure indulgence of the experience; being lost in the energy of the space around you.

Most everyone I talk to acknowledges the need to find time for themselves to refuel and reset; to download and unwind, to reconnect and find a moment to be; but it is so easy to just get caught up in work and the laundry list of the day.

Eighteen minutes. This only takes 18 minutes and there are so many meditations out there that are shorter---longer--with forest sounds, or babbling brooks....whatever works for you.

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Shame is A Full-Contact Emotion (Brené Brown)

It is a cool outside this morning and I have on my fluffy red robe as I sit outside and watch the birds flit back and forth from the fence to the feeder----arrogantly tossing aside imperfect sunflower seeds to get to the good ones. The discarded seeds, some empty, some full, punctuate my deck, waiting for the squirrels, who will later claim this easy buffet. I am still reading Brené and The Gifts of Imperfection. Feels a bit like learning a new language ---I see the words---I hear the words---but the meaning is so diffuse...I need to read and reread and sometimes, even read out loud to make the words stick It is hard work. And while the smooth cover of her book lies balanced on my palm, seemingly weightless, many of the concepts have a density that knocks me flat on my ass ---like a large medicine ball. CATCH THIS ONE! Oooooooof! I am down. Eyes wide, trying to catch my breath, wrestling with the weight of hefty concepts like shame, authenticity, wholeh

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Dr. Dr.

When we moved to Brampton I needed to find a family doctor---at 37--not married--two weeks into a new job in a different city--sleeping on an air mattress on the floor while my partner and son were wrapping things up in our London condo where they were still living---I found myself pregant . I went online and found a website that provided the names of doctors in various parts of Ontario who were accepting patients. Of the few names listed I was immediately attracted to one. Dr. Patricia Francis--a woman --who had studied in Ireland. This to me was a sign. I am of Irish background and if you know Brampton at all you will know that finding her seems like a bit of the luck o' the Irish. I was escorted into a room where a lovely coffee skinned, well dressed woman with a gorgeous South African accent I couldn't place asked the reason for my visit. I told her I needed to speak to the doctor about a bit of a crisis. Her eyes popped open as she sat down putting one hand on m

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Asking for Help

My oldest son walked into the kitchen last night while I was drying the pot I had just used to make marshmallow squares. He leaned against the wall, eyes downcast, unfocused and spoke in a soft voice: "Mom. Tomorrow. Just so you know. Something has happened and I cannot remember a SINGLE thing about ANY of the stuff that will be on the exam. So. Just so you aren't expecting anything. I am going to fail the exam. Probably need summer school. Will have to quit my job. Will get my university offer rescinded. But it is probably too late for summer school so. It is just all over." I put down the pot and gave him a hug. (no hug back) I told him it was fine. He was fine. He remembered stuff--he had an 87 going into the exam! You can't have marks like that if you don't remember stuff?! Right? I could see the tears forming in his eyes. He still wouldn't look at me. "Ok. Get your jacket we are going for a walk. Your brain is in overload a

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