Category Archives: Happiness is an Inside Job

Lessons from D

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The theme of the workshop was forgiveness.  30 of us squeezed into the tiny space, at the studio where I had decided to do my teacher training.  At that time, I knew very few of the “regulars” there, and had randomly sat next to D., through three hours of postures and breathing designed to rid us of negative emotion. It was a moment in my life where I felt bitter.  Things had not gone “the way they were supposed to.”  Despite my not believing in holding onto anger, I had been grasping tightly to mine, and it was hurting me, … Continue reading →

Hope on a Leash

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It would have been a lot of work for her.  It would be good for her, but was she ready to take the leap?     She had mentioned wanting to adopt a dog a year ago.  The company would serve her well, after losing my stepfather.   The dog came up from time to time.   "Mom, have you gotten to the shelter yet?" was a question we frequently asked her.  "No, next weekend," she'd reply before the subject was dropped for months.  She didn’t mean to drop the subject, but life gets in the way, as it does for … Continue reading →

Got Friends?

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We’re at a birthday party for one of the children from school. We know each other casually and have been making small talk the past hour and a half through the magician, pin the tail on the donkey, and musical chairs.  We hit it off beautifully and go as far as discussing a potential park date during the upcoming spring break.  The crowd sings “Happy Birthday,” and before I know it, you approach me with a slice of cake. “Here,” you say, as you hand me the plate. “No thank you,” I reply. “It’s good, you have to try it.” … Continue reading →

Got Thoughts?

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You hate your job.  Or your boss.  Or your spouse.  Or your best friend. You live in fear of financial insecurity, or perhaps rejection.  Maybe you think that everyone is judging you. You want to go back to school or learn accounting, computers, how to knit, or do yoga, but you come up with excuses not to try and then you beat yourself up for not trying. You want to lose ten pounds but you can’t stop eating.  You blame it on stress. Every action or non-action we take is fueled by a thought.  That thought leads to a behavior. … Continue reading →

Ten Reasons Why Being A Yoga Teacher Rocks

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Ah, the midlife crisis.  That moment in time that when certain people approach the age of forty, with as much grace as a rhinoceros trying to walk a tightrope.  Some leave their marriages, while others go out and buy a Maserati, while others take on the task of making over their bodies or redesigning their homes.  As for me, I ran off for six months and studied yoga. I use the term “ran off” loosely.   I still lived in my house, but for the amount of energy and time away from my family that it took to get through those … Continue reading →

Love Letters Part 2

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I didn’t want a puppy.  I told them I didn’t want a puppy, but when you volunteer to foster dogs being rescued from shelters where they would otherwise be killed, it’s hard to say “no.”  It’s painful to imagine that alternate ending, when that puppy has no foster home to take it. The puppy comes to us with the name Tracey.    She’s cute!  But she’s a puppy.  She nips at my running shoe, she punctures a hole in my tank top.  She pees on the floor.  She nibbles at our wrists with her pointy puppy teeth.  She follows me … Continue reading →

The Secret Life of Dora the Explorer

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It seemed innocent enough. She overcame challenges.  She was bilingual.   She exceled at sports.  Dora, the star of the Dora The Explorer TV series, was a decent role model for my young children.  It was a TV program with educational value, along with well-intended, clean cut characters.  But then, it started. “Can we get that Dora beach towel?” “Honey, don’t you think we have enough towels?” “Look, mom! Dora’s in that Lego set!” “We have plenty of Legos at home.” Dora dolls, Dora purses, Dora sippy cups, Dora puzzles, coloring books, watches, nightgowns, stickers, and the list goes on. I … Continue reading →

Setting Goals: The Power of “Why”

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Last week, I used the principles of fiction writing as an analogy for creating well focused goals. I invited you to explore the idea of creating one primary goal for you "story" and formulating secondary goals that support your "plot line." This week, I introduce another element of fiction writing to help you examine your goals:  Outer motivation versus inner motivation. If you examine a work of fiction closely, you will see that most main characters have a tangible, specific goal they want to accomplish by the end of the story.  For instance, in the original "Rocky" movie, Rocky wants … Continue reading →

The Green Ribbon

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Months ago, Miss F. told me she wanted to be on the summer swim team, sponsored by our town pool.     Miss F. wants to try everything, which is good and bad, when you’re her mother.     “You have to go to practice every morning, “ I warn.  “And practice starts early.”    “That’s fine, she says,” shrugging nonchalantly.     “You’re not just splashing around the pool playing.  You’re swimming laps.  It’s tiring.”   “Mommy I know that,” she responds, getting annoyed. “You’re treating me like a baby!”  Then came the first day of practice.  When it was over, she dragged … Continue reading →

Life Is Your Story: Choose Plot Points Wisely

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Several years ago, I had dabbled in writing fiction.  During this period of time, I also began to teach fiction writing classes at our local community college as part of their summer learning series.     Next week, I return to campus to participate in the 2012 summer program, so I have dusted off my notes to review the materials I use with my students. While going through my lectures last week, I was reminded of the importance of a writer setting goals for the main character, and to pay just as much attention to how the main character goes about … Continue reading →