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Finding the Gift in Life: A Holiday Reminder of Gratitude
I’ll be honest. This time of year can be hard for many. Whether it’s navigating the holidays after the loss of a loved one or feeling the pressure to do it all—buying the perfect gifts, hosting ideal gatherings, and decorating like the Griswolds—the season meant for connection can quickly turn into a pressure cooker of stress and emotions. Shifting Our Perspective Lately, I’ve been reminded that no matter what we’re facing, life itself is a gift. Yet, when the weight of expectations piles up, it’s easy to lose sight of that. In our world of instant gratification and constant distraction—where our phones are buzzing with notifications—it’s harder than ever to…
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The Power of Presence
Have you ever gone to an event or celebration and by the end of it felt like you missed it? Shared a story with someone and thought the other person had no clue what you said? Went to dinner where it seemed your dinner dates were more interested in their phone than you? Or have you sat back in a crowded space and felt completely alone-like no one was paying attention? If you have, you are not alone. We are living a in time where many people, places, and things are competing for our focus and attention. Distractions are plenty. Staying focused is more challenging than ever. We long for…
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The Enlightened Couple
Thousands of years ago, the Buddhist Zen Master Yunmen was asked, “What is enlightenment?”. Yunmen’s reply was simple: “An appropriate response.” Seems easy enough, right? How does a couple live an enlightened relationship? Is it possible that if we simply have an appropriate response, that all of our arguments and relational angst will wash away? Maybe. If you’re like me, though, you might be taking note that you are only nominally familiar with Zen Buddhist teachings, though they seem peaceful and wonderful. And you certainly are feeling a little far from enlightened, and definitely a little less than polished when it comes to finding the appropriate response. What is an…
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Athletes and the Mental Game
Embracing a Mind-Body-Spirit Connection to Create Your Best Performance Why Did I Feel This Way? Not once in my training had I ever even come close to the required swim pace I would need for this race. IronMan regulations give you 1 hour and 10 minutes tops to complete the swim distance or you are not allowed to move on to the bike and run portion. My fastest time as of yet was something like 2 hours. The day before the race, I became completely depressed. Panic and hopelessness were close behind, and shut down wasn’t too far after. What had happened to all the courage I had felt? My…
