Recently one morning, I opened a word-for-the-day type of email. The word for that day was ‘metanoia’, a noun defined as a transformative change of heart; especially a spiritual conversion…

You imagine ahead to your traditional dinner: you know what you will be eating, you know who you will be celebrating with, you know where you will be – but suddenly your heart drops. This year there will be an empty chair round that table. Read More

Jill was in the kitchen, right in the middle of making cookies. I’d been at their house for about a week, which is typical around Christmas, when I spend my annual two weeks at their home in Eastern Washington. Read More

Do you have a friend who always tries new things and invites you to tag along? “It could be fun,” she says, and it’s true. It could be great! You hope that finally, at this age, you will find your “Prince Talent…”

Early this morning, I got up to do my exercises and mediation before heading to the airport for my annual Christmas visit at my best friend’s family’s house in Spokane, WA. Before I put the last bits and pieces in my luggage for the long drive to the airport, I checked my inbox. Read More

Christmas, much like the other holidays, is a time when people look forward to the comforting nature of tradition, but when a death happens, the tradition is disrupted. Read More

Some time ago, I got an email from Margaret Manning asking what I did to break out of my comfort zone. Since I received that email while here in Ethiopia, I had a good chuckle…

Maybe it’s just me, but the holiday season can be an emotionally tricky time. As the mother of an adult son on the Spectrum, and a member of a family with different ways of seeing the world, I need a strategy to deal with the potential awkwardness…

The whirlwind of shopping, events, family, cooking, crafts, travel and other commitments leaves us ignoring our personal needs. Not only does this cause unnecessary stress but it will weaken our strength and can bring on illness…

I know it sounds completely counter-intuitive, even paradoxical. Giving gratitude during tough times. How nonsensical, not to mention challenging, is that?