the art and science of nature-infused health
Yesterday morning I read from Camille T. Dungy’s collection Trophic Cascade, while I waited for a doctor’s appointment. The poem Characteristics of Life, in particular, reached out and grabbed me; luckily, I had a chance to read (and fully savor) her words several times.… Continue Reading “Savoring as the soil for gratitude”
Sound is all around us, throughout our day. We encounter sounds that may be sweet or soothing, and occasionally, sounds that we might not want to hear. However, sounds provide information and help us navigate in, and connect with, our larger world. A growing… Continue Reading “Mindfulness in nature – savoring sound”
In this brief mindfulness exercise, choose an object from nature (indoors or outside). Enjoy the opportunity to focus with intention, curiosity, and compassion – all skills that translate into significant mind/body health benefits, over time.
The lilac is blooming, and the rain has lifted. Amazing how each garden transition is like a birth. Just like each breath, and each day. Last night I hosted a short silent meditation session for my Mindful Self-Compassion community, and I read Mary… Continue Reading “Savoring flowers”
It’s that time again. I’m clearing out the vegetable beds closest to our house. I’m rinsing out my germination flats with bleach, and filling them with seedling mix. I’m fondling seed packets, and paging through piles of seed catalogs. What will I grow? How… Continue Reading “A new planting year begins”
Recently, my 9-year-old daughter came home from school and shared an event that had happened during recess while playing a game known as “deadly tick tock” on the tire swing. She’d flashed back to a memory of our family’s car accident the July before,… Continue Reading “A self-compassionate first aid kit”
This morning while I was engaged in a short morning sit, my daughter peeked her head into the room. She was holding her bunny lovey and several other stuffed animals under one arm, and watched silently until I gestured that she could come in.… Continue Reading “Another lesson in seeing”
Love After Love The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was… Continue Reading “Love After Love”