Mindfulness
Something I have been challenged with in my relationships more often than not, are not responses of a nature I didn’t expect like anger, judgement or not understanding, but rather the lack of response. The silence. The non-acknowledgement. The lack of follow through on a commitment made and then no communication.Â
Reflections and Lessons
Labor Day is a day that was established to recognize the achievements of the American worker and was officially observed as a national holiday beginning in 1894.  It is a day that we often celebrate with picnics, public gatherings and parades, or shopping Labor Day sales which ironically are not tied to the meaning of the national holiday in any way. Having been established so long ago and with the changes in working environments brought about by unions and protests, the meaning behind the holiday seems to have been lost. For most people today, Labor Day signals the end of summer. The end of sun filled days spent frolicking outdoors, the beginning of shorter daylight hours and the approaching cold weather of winter.  Read more “Celebrating Changes”
Reflections and Lessons
Sometimes the journey is easy and joyful, some times it is challenging and back breaking. It is the back breaking ones that teach us how to grow, to uncover the parts of us that are in hiding. It was one these paths I found myself on unexpectedly (and probably how it should be) more recently.Â
Reflections and Lessons
If you have children, especially of school age, summer is quickly coming to a close. Mornings of sleeping in, not worrying about having lunches packed or if school clothes are clean and homework is done are soon too be a distant memory of luxury. Though my children are grown I remember those times well and I recall hanging onto those last few mornings of peace. No rushing to the car, no tears or harsh words for not being ready as expected. Every year I would hope it would be different but, like groundhog day, the process would repeat itself to a great degree. Invariably the protocols I had put in place to help prevent the mad dash out the door on school mornings seemed to work only when they wanted. And, invariably, it was myself I would hold accountable. Other mothers seemed to have it much more together.
Mindfulness
To anyone that will listen, I have championed the practice of meditating daily after discovering for myself how healing and peaceful it can be. Mindfulness meditation, the type of meditation I had stumbled on, leads to living a more mindful life, experiencing the present moment for what it is thus leading to less anxiety and more understanding. However, the question came up recently from one of my friends and a recent convert to meditation, what is transcendental meditation? I knew there were different forms and while familiar with Yoga and Tai Chi (both moving forms of meditation) as well as the type of practice I so enjoyed, I wasn’t sure how to answer. So in true Robin fashion I told her would find out.Â
Mindfulness
Have you ever not joined a class because someone you don’t like or don’t wish to associate with is in it? Perhaps you have chosen not to go to an activity with friends because of one person or made a decision to not do something because the person that drives you crazy every time you see them loves that exact activity. I know I have and with conscious thought and awareness behind the decision. More recently, however, I became aware that I was making others without any conscious thought, almost a knee jerk reaction of sorts. This was brought into focus for me after experiencing an unique set of circumstances. Read more “Who is in the Driver’s Seat?”
Mother Nature
As part of my journey many years ago I began to identify with nature. Not only did it give me a sense of peace when I was away from the hustle and bustle of the city but many times I felt connected to the world in a joyful way. It didn’t matter if it was a park, the mountains, the desert or the beach; spring, summer, fall or winter; just being in the presence of untamed beauty and hearing the breeze in the trees, the sweet melody of birdsong or the power of the ocean is always a treasured experience.  Mother Nature has so many gifts to share with us, yet unfortunately we have not been as generous in our treatment of her.Â
Wellness
I recently had the experience of witnessing a young person standing up for her beliefs against a strong adult. While she initially felt good that she had defended herself, she later regretted having done so as she felt this had made the difference in her being able to achieve the position she was seeking. I witnessed her pain when the news was delivered, watched as she struggled to accept how the events had played out and listened as she spoke those words so many of us have uttered, ‘If only…’  Read more “If Only…”
Wellness
Health. Something I know I have taken for granted far too often. Not necessarily my own, as I am keenly aware of how I am feeling, but my loved ones. More recently, the assumption my family is healthy because no one is complaining has been brought into sharper focus showing me just exactly how tenuous our loved one’s health can be. And how Mom was always right, never assume because… Read more “Up on a Shelf”
Mindfulness
Picnics with family under a summer sun, watching community parades during the day and firework displays at night, or just having the day off, the Fourth of July represents a time of joy and celebration for our country. A day many of us look forward to with anticipation of fun and warm memories. But do our expectations lead us astray?