Category: Life
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Meditating through self-forgiveness, frustration, and overwhelm
A friend was going through a hard time at work. They knew I practiced meditation, and wanted to learn more about the practice. It has been almost a decade since I started. Here’s some of what I shared with them: If you want to get started meditating, Headspace publishes some guided meditations at YouTube that…
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Wisdom starts with walking
One of the more useful practices I’ve cultivated this year is treating stress like a pet dog. When I experience high stress, I imagine a dog who desperately needs to run outside to use the bathroom. It would feel cruel and irresponsible to keep them cooped up inside, and they would eventually take care of…
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Lest we forget
My grandparents survived the Second World War. I don’t know much about what they went through. We never talked about it. I imagine part of this silence involved protecting their grandkids from the horror. Maybe protecting themselves too, from revisiting the past and risking more trauma. By the time I was old enough to learn…
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Make your phone dumber so it’s less addictive
A smartphone—like an iPhone, or one that runs Android—is capable of many things. It can help you do your shopping. It can keep you in touch with thousands of people. It can notify you whenever someone is reaching out to you. Whatever your laptop computer can do, you can probably do it on your smartphone…
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Three easy ways to give to a good cause
Giving becomes easier when you realize how many opportunities there are. Here are three easy openings, amongst many: Whatever money you save on a discount, donate it. You can do this through donations or coupons. If PetSmart gives you $2.00 back, donate $2 to help animals. Round up your change. If you pay $15.50, donate…
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Find things that give you energy
“Find” because it’s a verb. It requires intention. If you’ve been waiting a long time to be found, you can flip the script and start to find. “Things” because what you’re looking for could be anything. Keep an open mind. Activities, people, and places, are good starting points. Walking down a new street. Going to…
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Tying my hands to the siren song of social media
In Greek mythology, The Odyssey tells the story of a man, Odysseus, making a decade-long journey to return home to his family. Along the way, he and his team come across many obstacles and come up with plans to get past them. For example, Odysseus and his team encounter sirens at sea—beings who sing beautifully.…