Recently, I’ve begun an internal inquiry into the origins of self-esteem. I, like most people, have several areas of my life where I am supremely or at least sufficiently confident. So confident in fact, that performing excellently in those ways is second nature and always fun.
You’ve seen those hoarder shows. A psychologist, concerned family members and a camera crew visit archaeological digs masquerading as people’s homes to help them remove years and layers of trash, old food, clothes, papers, magazines, toys, books and furniture.
There is a wonderful theater game I love to play when I am leading workshops, retreats and conferences, and even at large gatherings in my home. It’s called Stand If and its very simple and powerful. I read off a list of statements. If the statement applies to you, you simply stand for a moment, look around to see who else is standing for that same statement, and then sit down again.
2016. And so we begin. The question is how. I’ve been casting about for an auspicious theme for this blog, a profound message to convey. It all crystalized for me over the December holidays.
Last summer, I read an article in Vogue magazine about a wellness clinic in Austria called Viva Mayr. The article was so intriguing, and I was so desperately in need of a complete physical overhaul, that I contacted the clinic immediately and booked a week’s stay.
Thanks to the writings and teachings of so many light workers, from ancient sages and saints of old to contemporary preachers and New Age practitioners, we are inundated with reminders of how vital and transforming it is to have an attitude of gratitude about life. There are journals in which we can document the things…
That’s a pretty drastic statement, right? Burn the books. Well, it’s not shades of Fahrenheit 451, the dystopian novel and film about the slow substitution of reading literature for the sound bites and factoids of television. In the world created by acclaimed science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, and reimagined by director Francois Truffaut, reading was…
Last year, as Journey Agent for a series of national live events, I began every event with a quote by 19th century Lebanese poet and philosopher, Khalil Gibran from his book, The Prophet, published in 1923. The chapter I read at each event began with the words, “Then the plowman said, ‘Speak to us of…
A couple of years ago, my daughter and I took a spring break cruise of the Greek Isles with a group of parents and children from the United Nations School. It was 8 days and nights of visiting strolling around Athens, followed by sailing to ancient ruins on several islands in chilly weather on choppy…
Think of all the people we assume misbehave. Toddlers and children misbehave. The very definition of the word teenager is misbehavior. In-laws are big misbehavers. So are old people. They’re downright crotchety. Look at how husbands are portrayed in sitcoms – they’re clueless and misbehavers. And let’s not even go there about bosses. If you’re…