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Author Archives: Lauren
Be Fair: A plea for a more compassionate response
Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, There is a field. I will meet you there. – Rumi As a teacher I saw this sort of scene unfold more times than I can recall. I would be watching group … Continue reading
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How To Be Compassionate: Stuck in traffic? Maybe you are behind your spiritual teacher.
Three years ago, I was at a spiritual retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in New York with the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master, poet, and peace activist. I can’t begin to express what a transformative experience it was: learning to … Continue reading
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Be Attuned: Listening to the poetry of the mystic within
As a little girl I came down to the water/ With a little stone in my hand/ It would shimmer and sing/ And we knew everything. As a little girl I came down . . . But, in a little while I … Continue reading
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Forget about resolutions. Instead: Envision! Intend! Act!
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. It seems to me that besides being notoriously hard to keep — there’s a lot of negative judgment hidden within them. And I honestly don’t think you have to dig too … Continue reading
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Be Delighted: A Moment of Sheer Yumminess!
This is my Reverb10 response the following questions: From Tracey Clarke: Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the … Continue reading
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Be Amazed: No Moment is Every Truly Ordinary!
Today’s post is inspired by Brené Brown’s reverb10 prompt: “Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?” (There is a) statement from the book of Ecclesiastes “There … Continue reading
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How To Be Courageous: What I learned from letting go
My parents collected coffee mugs. Lots of them. For decades, everywhere they went in the world, from Topeka, Kansas to the Topkapi Palace they found a mug emblazoned with the name of their point of destination and brought it home, … Continue reading
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How to be Appreciative: Appreciating Appreciation
Today’s Reverb10 prompt from Victoria Klein asks: “What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?” Here is my answer: Kids are naturally like miniature lawyers. They are … Continue reading
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Be Willing to Let Go: 11 things I don’t need in 2011
The December 11th Reverb 10 prompt is from Sam Davidson, author of 50 Things Your Life Doesn’t Need. He asks: “What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid … Continue reading
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How To Be Wise: Want wisdom? Just breathe.
What’s the wisest decision you can make in the new year? Simple: Breathe. Just breathe. Your wisdom is as close as your next breath.In the moments before harsh words escape your mouth. In the seconds before you lift a fork … Continue reading
Posted in be calm, be relaxed, be wise
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