The Tyranny of Expectations Sarah (not her real name) began by relating her good news: “Well, I landed that new job I applied for, and my husband and I got through the crisis I told you about.” Her voice, however, was surprisingly rueful, as if she were reporting that life was worse [...]
Practicing Nonviolence Toward Self Some years ago people used to wear a T-shirt printed with the slogan, “Life is difficult, and then you die.” I once asked a group of people at a yoga retreat what they thought when they read those words. One person found it funny; a way to laugh at the hard [...]
One of the primary ways values and intentions manifest in life is through priorities. Knowing your priorities, remembering them under pressure, and acting from them are essential skills for living authentically.
Bringing mindfulness to the longings and impulses that lead you to make major life changes provides a method for consciously and skillfully working with the complexity of moving in new directions in your life.
Mindfulness meditation builds your capacity to be mindful in daily life. As you practice mindfulness meditation, you develop the habit of being present in all moments of your life. Mindfulness meditation practice also creates a safe place for you to get to know your mind. Start by finding a comfortable place to sit [...]
Just as we have outer priorities in our lives that guide us in our decision-making and setting goals, we have inner priorities, too. The values that we live by can be considered our inner priorities and they guide us in how we implement our outer priorities. These are ten values particularly beneficial to developing an enduring sense of well-being.
Understanding the difference between pressure and stress can create a greater sense of ease and well-being in your life.
A crucial skill for minimizing emotional chaos and sustaining clarity in your life is the ability to distinguish between your experience and your interpretation of your experience.
Applying mindfulness to decision making leads to clearer thinking and to staying connected to your core values, which is crucial to your peace of mind. Mindful decision-making enables you to go beneath the surface level of your moment-to-moment life experience, which is clouded with emotions, to see the truth of what is happening.
Naming the type of decision you’re trying to make will help bring clarity to the process.