Do I need to rethink my entire life?… Or is it just the holidays? I found myself texting this to a friend who casually asked me how it was going? Not good. Not good at all. I mean, there are good things happening. But I think I wandered into the holidays a little off kilter.…
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R started Kindergarten at the end of August. I did not know what to expect, but here are my observations so far: Disclosure. Having to do family court about school start probably infinitely increases the stress level around it. Benefits of being a Californian. Yes! We pay higher taxes, but in California, there are no…
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I just finished listening to a Tara Brach podcast about contentment. And it brought me back to this question I’ve been asking myself for several years, How do I relax and enjoy my life? It’s an enigma, right? And I think it’s compounded by social media where it feels like everyone is doing just that.…
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In June I found my self saying over and over again, “I just need a minute to myself.” So this last week has been some strange karmic joke or the answer to prayer or maybe just a symbol of how in touch with the universe I really am. Because I got covid. Everyone wants to…
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I grew up in a house with four women which meant there was a lot of estrogen going around. We were pretty adept at late-night sessions, hashing out the latest crises in our lives, letting our advice spill over into the wee hours when judgment for such things is waning and emotions are running high. …
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In December, after hearing Cheryl Strayed speak at UCLA, I considered what might feel like prayer for me (See Walking is a Prayer). The piano came strongly into my consciousness. I took lessons from age 8-15. I have always felt that I should be MORE accomplished with the piano than I am so when I…
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When I was in Hawaii last week, I visited Painted Church or, more properly, St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. It’s a scenic, little-white-church tucked away in the greenery south of Kona and worth a quick stop. The church is famous for the murals covering the walls and ceiling, painted by Father John Velghe, an untrained folk…
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I believe that for two emotionally healthy people, love and integrity are enough. I believe those two things can bridge idealogical differences, extended family problems, money issues, illness. Because two emotionally healthy people will own their own shit. They will have the strength to be honest even when it is painful, motivated by a deep…
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This morning I woke up early. Like 2:30am. I have a cold so this was a mix of sinus congestion, jitteriness from Sudafed (for the sinus congestion) and my freaking unstoppable mind. Whenever this happens I hear the voice of Dr. Fleisher, the last psychiatrist I worked with, in my head, “Early morning awakening should…
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One of the last conversations I had with my Grandma Whipple was while we were standing in her kitchen. I had stopped by their house on my way to or from someplace for a quick hello. Grandma and Grandpa Whipple’s house was always quiet and relaxed. I would stop in at an hour too late…
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