How to honour your needs when life gets busy — How can you be gentle with yourself amidst the busyness of life? I’ve been asking myself this question lately. I think we all go through seasons in life, and as we’re coming up on the end of this year, we can easily become overwhelmed…

Unlearning self-made myths and misconceptions requires silence — When I first planned a weeklong solo trip to Phuket, I wondered if I was making a mistake. During the pandemic I took a two-day solo staycation in Singapore, but it was a way for me to take some time to focus on writing my memoir. …

My response to #PracticingGentleness month — The pearly pink of a fresh-picked rose. A dancer’s soft hand. An artist’s delicate brushstroke. A new mother’s gaze on a fluffy head of hair. We’re gentle when faced with fragile. But with people, we tell ourselves to get tough. We think it’s good for them. We know they can…

Sweet chapter books to share with your littles — The summer before my son’s second grade year, we read Charlotte’s Web. It was beautiful. I’d never actually read it before, though I knew the story. I found that E.B. White’s soft, soothing writing style was a great pleasure. Here is a favorite quote that I always re-share in March…

My response to #PracticingGentleness month | Nov 2022 — Excited to collaborate on the creative energy for #PracticingGentleness in Nov 2022. Thanks Bingz for this unique opportunity. Folks who know me are not surprised that I chose Nov 21 to share my post, continuing my lovingkindness for 21. When I think about true gentleness, lovingkindness, compassion, self-care and equanimity…

Sharing how I practice being gentler with myself in my dance journey — Recently, I took an in-person Contemporary Dance class taught by two lovely young ladies. I couldn’t get the timing and steps of the second half of that routine and felt quite bummed about it. Even when two other dancers complimented me on my dancing right after the class, I thought…

My response to #PracticingGentleness month — There is an extremely feminine and sensual side of me that is vulnerable to show. There is also a wild womanly side of me that felt impossible to flow. My whole life good, intellectual, rational, and packaged. I long to tear everything down. …

My response to #PracticingGentleness month — Here on the trails of Allegany State Park, I am walking alone, deep in the woods when something in the bushes next to raises a skittering, rustling the leaves. There is some reptile, mammal, or bird hidden and moving near me, and I am not afraid. It’s been a long…

On the wonderment of strength — Even the humblest offerings can set into motion a better place, changing the world. Strength is born from gentle things. On a shelf, paper sits unassumingly with ink faded to nearly a whisper Creak the neglected binding open and repour time, once a bygone blur A redwood stands massive in…

A poetic response to #PracticingGentleness month — There are days when motivation feels as elusive as the reason for my existence. I rise in the morning, drink a cup of joe and as always, put pen to paper. I write first thoughts, sadness and regret, hope and loss, fear and faith, and trust fully the page will hold it…

How to slow down and feel into your dreams — “The truly strong are always gentle.” ― Yuuki Obata As my dreams unfold in miraculous ways one day at a time, slowing down and becoming more gentle with myself is always the key. I used to think constant work was the answer to success, but it is quite the opposite. …

Especially when you’re feeling triggered and overwhelmed. I promise you there always is a way — Here is where my head is at the moment: I’m feeling super triggered by stuff going on in my life over the last couple of days. In the heat of all the emotions I’m feeling, these thoughts are coming up: I wish I could control people. I wish I could…