• Reminder!

    Monday, May 8, 2017 No tags Permalink

    A perfect reminder for all of us.

    You deserve someone who wants you, only you, and makes you feel wanted. Someone who can’t help but message you first thing in the morning when the sun light is slow-dancing through the curtain, and they’re barely waking. Someone who wants to spend their Friday nights with you, but also their lazy lemonade Sundays. Someone who holds their one-person umbrella right above you when it’s bucketing down, so that you’re sheltered, even if it means they get soaked through. You deserve someone who thinks of you, often. Someone who calls you on the phone at the end of a long day, because they want to hear the sound of your voice before they drift off into slumber. Someone who makes plans with you on a Tuesday evening, because the weekend is just too far away, and who cares if we have to go to work the next day.

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  • She Will Move Mountains

    Saturday, April 29, 2017 No tags Permalink

    Change that to the end of a very long week, and that was me last night. I took a hot shower and crawled between the sheets and then proceeded to sleep for the next 11 hours straight. Ahh, pure heaven. It’s no secret that I love my bed and I highly value getting enough sleep. I see it as a vital part of good self-care. Eat well, exercise, mediate, and sleep enough.


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  • Get Big

    Thursday, April 20, 2017 No tags Permalink

    I recently had an acquaintance comment that I was getting too muscular.  Ha! There are only two people allowed to have an opinion on how my body looks: me and me  😊

    But seriously, Why does it seem okay for some people to comment negatively on fit/strong/slim people’s bodies, but if you say something to an overweight person it’s fat-shaming? Neither one is okay. I think it’s rude for anyone to make unsolicited negative comments about anyone else’s body. I try to remind myself that when people judge MY body it is almost always just an extension of their own dissatisfaction with THEIR bodies. I.e., people who are totally cool with how their own bodies look and work don’t give a  care about how mine looks. Why would they care? They have better things to think about!  So be psyched about your muscles if you love them! They are YOURS.

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  • Habit vs. Intent

    Wednesday, April 5, 2017 No tags Permalink

    While all intention is unique in its content, there’s a pattern and sequence–steps that repeat. If we learn these, our lives change. We manifest change in our lives with frictionless flow.

    Seek desire. Genuine desires often defy logic and make no sense, making it easy for us to dismiss them as a passing whim. But beginning with desire, responding to the creative energy that comes from within can lend itself to being unafraid of going after what we truly want.

    Express yourself. Beginning a statement with “I intend to…” creates a moment of purpose and is much clearer that “I may…” With our language, both internal and external, we send a signal. Be clear, direct and speak with kindness.

    Be decisive. Making decisions isn’t easy for some people and even the most decisive people need support now and then. To realize our intentions, we need to make decisions. Don’t be afraid to give or receive advice and suggestions. Talk through possibilities.

    Release control. There are those moments when we need to step aside and get out of our own way. When we are following our true selves, it feels like life is flowing along. We choose our battles with ease and obstacles dissolve.

    Let go. This can be a huge challenge for me and one where we most likely trip up. Stubbornness can lead us to believe that our plan is the only one. Be open to being surprised. Let go and allow our intent to unfold. Be flexible with your preferences. Stay alert, keep our eyes open and enjoy the dance!

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  • The Winds of Change

    Wednesday, March 29, 2017 No tags Permalink

    I feel those winds of change a-blowing. I don’t know in what way just yet, but I feel it. Do you ever have that sense? It’s a strange sensation when it’s so vague and nebulous. But, hey, it is what it is.   Change can be a good thing, if we let it be. I have been feeling boxed in and really dissatisfied with many aspects of my life, so perhaps change is in order.

    We live in difficult times. Life sometimes seems like a roiling and turbulent river threatening to drown us and destroy the world. Why, then, shouldn’t we cling to the certainty of the shore, and to our familiar patterns and habits? Because, as Pema Chödrön teaches, that kind of fear-based clinging keeps us from the infinitely more satisfying experience of being fully alive. The teachings she presents that are known as the “Three Commitments” provide a wealth of wisdom for learning to step right into the river: to be completely, fearlessly present even in the hardest times, the most difficult situations. When we learn to let go of our protective patterns and do that, we begin to see not only how much better it feels to live that way, but, as a wonderful side effect, we find that we begin to naturally and effectively reach out to others in care and support.

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  • Not a Journey

    Monday, March 27, 2017 No tags Permalink

    Alan Watts & David Lindberg – Why Your Life Is Not A Journey from David Lindberg on Vimeo.

    Wait. What? Life isn’t a journey? That’s so contrary to most of our life teaching. Alan Watts’ basic message is that our cultural conditioning and standardized system of “education” keeps us in a rat race. From kindergarten to high school, college to graduate school, to career promotions to…retirement in old age.

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  • Reasons to Stay Alive

    Monday, March 20, 2017 No tags Permalink

    The World is increasingly designed to depress us. Happiness isn’t very good for the economy. If we were happy with what we had, why would we need more? How do you sell an anti-ageing moisturizers? You make someone worry about ageing. How do you get people to vote for a political party? You make them worry about immigration. How do you get them to buy insurance? By making them worry about everything. How do you get them to have plastic surgery? By highlighting their physical flaws. How do you get them to watch a TV show? By making them worry about missing out. How do you get them to buy a new smartphone? By making them feel like they are being left behind. To be calm becomes a kind of revolutionary act. To be happy with your own non-upgraded existence. To be comfortable with our messy, human selves, would not be good for business.

     

    “How to stop time: kiss.
    How to travel in time: read.
    How to escape time: music.
    How to feel time: write.
    How to release time: breathe.”
    ― Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive

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  • Listening

    Wednesday, February 15, 2017 No tags Permalink

    You do not have to push yourself into the practice of meditation, but just let be. If you practice in this way, a feeling of space and ventilation automatically comes. It is the expression of the buddha nature or basic intelligence that is working its way through confusion.

    Excerpted from:
    The Four Noble Truths, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

    Listening speaks one of our deepest needs: to be understood or to feel understood. Yes, we might like people to agree with us, take our side, but it is a great gift when we feel that the person understands us, even if the person does not agree with us. It shows the person cares. It develops trust. It connects us. Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking. One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. Truly listen to others and to the universe.  When we actively listen with an open heart and open mind, we’re often surprised at what we learn.

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  • 25 Self Care Ideas for Bad Days

    Monday, January 23, 2017 No tags Permalink

    As much as we would like it to be, there’s no such thing as clear weather, calm seas, and smooth sailing forever, no matter how hard we wish for it. The fact is, life is hard work–for all of us.

    The next time your life gets hard and you feel like chucking in the towel it definitely helps to remember that there are others out there having a rough go as well. And that they are surviving.

    But how do they go about it? Surviving, that is?

    Two words for you.

    Self care.

    Yeah, self-care. Something a lot of us suck at for a majority of the time, but something that is oh-so critical to surviving and thriving.

    The second takeaway is this. A bunch of ideas for self-care that will help you cope when life gets hard.

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  • Reclaim the Truth

    Monday, January 16, 2017 No tags Permalink

    I started reading Brené Brown’s books after I watched one of her TED Talks.  I’m currently reading The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. I’ve read more than my fair share of “self-help” literature, so I can assert with conviction that this book is not a  self-help book. Instead, it’s a revelation book. Each chapter triggered numerous “ah-ha!” moments for me, because Dr. Brown goes a step (or two, or five) beyond the common way of looking at or framing an issue to show the interconnectedness of elements that stall or sabotage our efforts to live a more satisfying life. Instead of the “that doesn’t quite resonate” vibe I often get from self-help books, Dr. Brown’s perspectives ring true, and she re-labels certain attitudes and experiences in a way that’s both startling and, importantly, hopeful. She gleans her insights from her research centered on living a “wholehearted” life, which grew out of her previous  study of “shame.” The results that Dr. Brown presents in this brief, easily-readable book are nothing short of fascinating, and they function not as a how-to manual for quickly fixing an out-of-balance life, but as a set of powerful tools with which to cultivate a richer, more fully engaged and connected life.

    Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we’d no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, What if I can’t keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn’t everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?

    In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown  shares what she’s learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living–a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.
    In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough, and to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging.

    This is the kind of book that I buy several copies and hand out to everyone that I know and love.  <3

  • Self-loving

    Friday, January 6, 2017 No tags Permalink

    “When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small.

    My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.”

    ― Kim McMillen

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  • In Life

    Thursday, January 5, 2017 No tags Permalink


    I think that learning to roll with life’s changes has been the #1 most important life skill I’ve ever acquired. Life is full of changes. That’s a given. Being able to cope with, and even thrive upon those changes is essential.

  • Learning to Receive

    Monday, January 2, 2017 No tags Permalink

    I read two things today, two very poignant things.  It was exactly what I needed to read, exactly when I needed it. These pieces caused me to have some rather painful realizations, but that may be just what I need right now. Life works in mysterious ways sometimes. 😊

    I’m going to share one of the writings that was sent to me. I may share the other one on here as well, or I may just send it directly to the person that it applies to. I haven’t decided yet.

    This is could have been written by me. I never ask for help. I never admit that I need anything. When you are un-demanding and self-sufficient everyone forgets you even have needs and you’re easy to be pushed down the ladder of priorities. 

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  • Here’s to a Brilliant New Year!

    Sunday, January 1, 2017 No tags Permalink


    This is your year – the year you stop making everyone happy besides yourself, the year you know you matter and the year you let your voice shine. This is the year of you.

    This year don’t do things like 2016. Don’t surrender your happiness in order to make someone else happy while you’re miserable. Don’t give into people’s requests who would never lift a finger for you. Don’t say yes when all you want is to say no. Don’t put yourself through that self-inflicting torture anymore because you matter – you matter.

    If you’re working a job that’s making you miserable, a job that literally makes you want to break down in tears before you go because you hate it so much – quit.

    Don’t do anything that doesn’t inspire you to live a better life. Don’t do anything that drains you more than it fulfills you.
    If you hate your job that much then there is no point in continuing to do it. Look for another job, look anywhere else that you think would make you happier.

    Your happiness is important; you shouldn’t constantly put it on the back burner for a paycheck or to make others happy.

    Your happiness and your mental health go hand-in-hand. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you fail to take care of yourself, that you wind up sick and mentally drained. Don’t torture yourself in this way because no amount of money is worth this self-inflicting pain.

    Find the things that make you smile and keep doing them. Cherish the things that make you feel loved and don’t ever let them go. Hold on to the moments that make your stomach ache from so much laughter and don’t ever take them for granted. Life is good, life is so good as long as you allow it to be.

    In 2017 don’t dwell on the negatives, laugh off the disasters and turn your attention to the good. If it won’t matter a couple years from now it’s nothing to stress yourself out about even if it feels like the world is crashing down at you in the moment, just know it will pass.

    Just do what makes you happy this year. If that means breaking up with your partner who you feel is holding you back, let them go. If that means quitting your job, moving across the world, getting a divorce or stepping out of your comfort zone for the first time, please do it.

    Life is meant to be lived, it’s meant to be enjoyed because there are millions of things to be seen and happy about, but we often only experiences a sliver of them. So make 2017 your year, make it the year that makes you happy, let it be your best year yet.

    Don’t be afraid to try something new because the worst that happens is you fail, but at least you’re trying, at least you’re doing something to better yourself.

    This year don’t focus on anyone else. Don’t focus on your parents or your friends or your coworkers – focus on you.

    Make yourself the center of your world and care for yourself the way you care about the people you love. Go the extra mile you’ve gone for so many other people in your life, but this time go the distance for yourself.
    You deserve that.

    Every new year you tell yourself this is going to be your year, but this time really mean it.

  • Roots and Wings

    Friday, December 23, 2016 No tags Permalink

    My children each year ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I’d give them my real answer:

    What do I want for Christmas? I want you. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your spouse, your kids. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don’t care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.

    I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how, and I’m not bragging, but I did a pretty darn good job. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work, I’m pretty proud of it.

    Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don’t mind. In fact, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

    I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas, I say “nothing” because you’ve already been giving me my gift all year. I want you.

    I am bragging, because I think I really did do a good job with my son. He started his Christmas break from work yesterday. He knew that this is always an extremely hectic work week for me, so he surprised me by stopping by my office to say hello and bring me a latte. And earlier this week I had a flat tire, he kept checking on my thought the day,seeing if I needed help or a ride. In short, he thinks of those around him instead of thinking that the world revolves around him.  One day he’s going to make an excellent husband.

    One of my favorite photos of him on this day in 2008. I know it wasn’t December 23, 2009 because I was having back surgery on that day and definitely not crawling around on the floor with my camera! 

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  • Tempus Fugit

    Thursday, December 8, 2016 No tags Permalink

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    I came across these photos the other day and noticed they were taken 10 years ago this month. In my mind, my son still looks like this to me, except, well… taller. A lot taller. 😉 He just got back from a trip to NYC with his dad, and while he was there he sent me photos.

    image

    When this photo came through on my phone, my first thought was, “Why did he send me a photo of his dad?” And then I looked closer and realized that it wasn’t his dad in the photo, it was Ian. I’m often struck by just how much they look alike now that Ian is an adult. Wow, are my genes ever recessive! Luckily for him, he did get the height from my side of the family. 😊

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  • The Ruins

    Monday, September 26, 2016 No tags Permalink

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    “The Ruins” combines several of my favorite things: parks, fountains, statues, and architecture.  One thing you can say about Indianapolis is that we have some very lovely parks.  The Ruins are located in on of my favorite parks in town, Holliday Park.  I spent so much time there when my son was young.  It has a wonderful playground, a nature center, and many hiking trails.  Perfect for burning off the excess energy of an active boy!  Also a perfect place to take photographs.

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    The Ruins have a fascinating history.   in 1898, New York’s first skyscraper, the St. Paul building had been built. It was located at 220 Broadway. One of the outstanding architectural sculptors of the day, Karl Bitter,designed the façade of this building as well as that of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On this façade were three massive statues made of Indiana limestone. The statues, called “the Races of Man” representedthe African-American, Asian and Caucasian races laboring together as they appeared to hold the skyscraper on their backs. In the 1950’s the owners of this building, the Western Electric Corporation, decided to build a modern skyscraper on the site. Seeking to find a new home for the sculptures, they held a competition among cities for a plan to display and preserve them. Indianapolis among other cities and universities, presented a plan: to place them in Holliday park.

    The design submitted and later implemented by this city was a reproduction of the façade of the building’s entry including original facing stone, doorways and the ledge that upheld the figures, each one of which weighed 8 tons.

    Last week I heard a story on my local NPR radio station that mentioned The Ruins.  Over the years they had fallen into disrepair, but a rejuvenation project has just been completed.  I think it’s time to re-visit one of my favorite places in town.  I’ll even make sure to bring my camera.  🙂