Posts Tagged: stress

Mental Health: A Sunny Escape

February 15th, 2016
Posted By:

British beach

 

Dear Winter:

Snow again?? Really??

Even though you are not my favorite season, I know there is no way around you and when the calendar signals that it’s your turn, I need to get ready for the temperature changes and the shorter days.  I dragged out all of my winter geared and prepared myself to get in the habit of layering my clothes.  I reminded myself that the one positive thing about your arrival is the celebration of Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s Eve so you do bring some reasons to party.

But still you’ve been hanging around … Read More

Silly Family Laughter

February 5th, 2016
Posted By:

My 88-year-old Dad misplaced his checkbook last week and over the weekend a full-on, pull-out-all-the-plugs search effort was executed by our mom, me, my five siblings and even a few grandchildren. We asked our Dad a million questions about the last time he used the checkbook and the last time he remembered seeing it.  We prayed to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost items, and then finally our Dad decided to call the bank since St. Anthony didn’t deliver the goods.  Thankfully, the bank said there was no activity on the account and no checks had been written on… Read More

Guess Who’s Breathing?

January 29th, 2016
Posted By:

  I am.  You are.  Everyone is. If we don’t breath, then we’re in big trouble, right? But we can change the rhythm of our breathing depending on what’s happening to us. It sounds so simple doesn’t it?  Just change.  But I have found it takes practice.  It takes being aware of what I’m doing. Many times, without realizing it, I find I am walking around almost holding my breath because I am dealing with two or three things at the same time.  Sometimes I’m at work or I can be at home but I am not fully breathing when… Read More

Color Up Your Awesome World

January 11th, 2016
Posted By:

It’s one thing to tell yourself that you’re not going to get stressed about the bumps and pitfalls of life and it’s an entirely another thing to actually get rid of the stress that unfortunately comes along with it. Surprisingly, millions of adults have recently re-discovered the simple and easy fun that comes from taking up something that we all did in our childhoods: color.  Maybe you have read about the popularity of coloring books designed for adults and said to yourself that such a thing as sitting around and coloring pictures would be a silly waste of time since… Read More

Oh Fallen Christmas Tree

December 21st, 2015
Posted By:

I was working on the computer this past weekend when I heard a sudden “thud” upstairs in the living room. As I ran up the steps to see what had happened, I had a sick feeling in my stomach that I knew what had fallen to make that sound. When I came around the corner and reached the living room, I found I was unfortunately right about the origin of that dull thud on the wooden floor. My beautiful Christmas tree had fallen.  With all of its lights and ornaments on it. And it was laying partially across the living… Read More

Parking My Heart

December 18th, 2015
Posted By:

Hey there Resilient Readers! Today’s post may seem at first to be just a simple story about a bike shop in my hometown of Washington, DC. But it’s really about so much more. I want to share this wonderful story with you because it reminds me of the compelling message found in the classic Frank Capra Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life: one person really can make a difference. Today’s bike story is a real life example of what happens when one person gets involved in their community and the difference they can make for others who are looking to… Read More

Holiday Breathing Space

December 11th, 2015
Posted By:

As the calendar pulls me closer to the holidays, I am feeling those inner twinges that happen when my time starts being crunched by competing priorities at work and home. I try to look ahead and plan to prevent this feeling of running out of time to shop, cook and decorate but this year, somehow, it snuck up on me. It started a few days ago when I thought I knew what to buy for some family members and then I found out that the person already had the thing I had in mind and then some of the other… Read More

Holiday Temptations

December 4th, 2015
Posted By:

Photo Courtesy of Katie Lee Kitchen Oh my goodness! A few days ago, I looked in the refrigerator and spied the last containers of homemade mashed potatoes and stuffing and I couldn’t take it anymore. I hate to waste food yet I had to throw the rest of the Thanksgiving leftovers away!  I know I overindulged over the holiday and it was yummy and fun but it also is time for the food party to stop. But it’s really hard, right?  I know it is for me.  Maybe it’s a little easier for you.  I definitely like to think you… Read More

A Renewing Morning Intention

November 2nd, 2015
Posted By:

Every day I choose to begin the day with a healing intention. I promise it doesn’t take much time. Often before we even open our eyes after a night’s sleep, our minds are taking in conflicting thoughts. Maybe we have an early morning appointment.  Maybe we don’t feel well.  Maybe we need to get the kids off to school.  Maybe we need to get to work.  Maybe we have all of these things going on and the morning has already slipped into an crazy example of life in the fast lane. Instead of trying to keep up with the snowballing… Read More