My View from the Top of the World

A friend of mine did something impressive this week.  He declined a seemingly irresistible offer of doubling his income in favor of maintaining a positive work-life balance.  I wonder how many of us would have that kind of self awareness? - to understand, in the face of an "offer I can't refuse," that I need to refuse it - for the benefit of my health and my family.  Just two generations ago, there was no concept of "work-life" balance as a component of healthy lifestyle; no understanding of the link between stress and wellness; bread-winners have simply been working themselves ragged for decades.  As a result, we have a generation of folks plagued by high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive issues and the highest rate of mental illness diagnoses in history. It seems that millennials,  who are projected to make up 75% of the workforce by 2025 (Kohll: Forbes.com), are making work-life balance a priority.  This generation is now on the lookout for c...

Self - Care... it's not just for adults anymore. (Yes, the scope of my message is expanding!) Discussing healthy lifestyle habits & stress management with 5-11 year olds (as part of our recognition of Red Ribbon Week) has given me lots to ponder.  Some observations (in no particular order): 30-45 minutes was not long enough to cover what the kids wanted to talk about.  Every single class suggested sugar and candy as "the most unhealthy food," and water as the most healthy drink.  Kids love fruits and veggies.  (YAYYYYY) In every single class was at least one child that I knew I needed to monitor for signs of emotional unraveling because of the subject matter (and I worry about the ones I didn't know about).  In every single class I observed at least one child getting teary - eyed or practicing head-down-eyes-closed avoidance.  :( Our children are intelligent, perceptive, and sensitive.  They understand that the adults in their lives make mi...

Last week, I talked to three hundred kids about all the good that comes from being socially and emotionally connected to one another.  This was actually my way of introducing "Start with Hello,"  - a violence prevention initiative that emphasises a school climate of connectedness and inclusivity (written and promoted by Sandy Hook Promise).  Let me tell you, third, fourth and fifth graders are remarkably perceptive when it comes to the positive results of being included, and the negative impacts of being socially isolated. They are also - for the most part -  incredibly accepting and empathic towards others.  Got me to thinking... What about us? I've heard many people say that they don't come to work to make friends. Really, though?  Because most of my BFFs are my work pals. The social contact at work is often what makes it fun! Guess what happens in the workplace when people interact, enjoy each other, become friends, and support each other? There i...

A few of my own thoughts on this World Mental Health Day - in no particular order: 1. It's ok to not be ok. 2. It's ok to hit bottom... Just try to bounce off the bottom and use the momentum to rise back up. 3. No one else can fix you... Your wound may not be your fault, but your healing is your responsibility - as with a physical illness, follow doctor's orders. 4. Your journey is your own. We all perceive and respond to stressors in our own way and in our own time. 5. Taking care of yourself and taking time for yourself is not selfish, it's necessary. 6. Recovery feels amazing - well worth the time and effort. 7. It's ok to take meds. It ok not to take meds. Remember, your way, your time. Their way, their time. Meds work and they save lives. 8. Nature heals. 9. Love heals. 10. No stigma mentality allowed. Fly your crazy flag high and proud!

Something will grow from all you are going through... and it will be you.  When it comes to unique experiences, the spiritual ones can be the unique-est.  A few months ago, I participated in a Blessing of the Flowers, at my mother's Universalist Unitarian Church.  Each congregation member brought with them a cut flower.  The flowers were all placed in vases and casually arranged at the front of the room, while the Pastor gave the blessing:  "These flowers don't need our blessing to be wonderful; they already are. They don't need our blessing to be strong; they already have that strength, deep within them, growing every day. What they need is a place to grow; They need some care, whether by human hands or by the warm sun and blowing breeze and the toil of the bees. They need to be a part of something. All they need to do is follow the fullness of life and grow into their true beauty." You can see where I'm going here...

When someone asks you if you want to go to goat yoga, you say, "YES!!"  What is goat yoga, anyway?  Well, it's yoga with goats!  Cute, small, fun, and at times, cuddly goats!  But don't be in a hurry to discount it as just a quirky trend - there are actual health benefits to practicing yoga in the presence of goats.  It's not at all like taking a traditional yoga class, and it's not especially physically demanding.  But the goats do add a certain something to the yoga session... practicing yoga with these personable little animals can enhance mindfulness, relaxation and a feeling of well being.  Not to mention, it's fun ! (And fun is very good for you!)  You can't yoga with a goat and not smile, laugh, and get silly.  Goat yoga was a RIOT!! Last year, I may not have said yes to goat yoga.  These days, I say yes to everything that I can.  This weekend, I will participate in a mushroom walk, and enter a mushroom soup ...

I'm not sure how to start a blog...  I've been trying for a long time.  Mostly because I can now, finally, share my heart. And I think I have things to say that may be of use, or help, or even entertainment value for someone else.  So, I don't think you can start at the beginning, because there's so much to catch up on.  So I'll just start here, where I am, because I've figured out that here is where I have to spend my time. Part of my trouble getting started was coming up with the right name.  I've edited the page so many times with a new name, that I can't even remember all of the names I've used.  I've tried to be clever, symbolic, dramatic, funny, catchy...  None felt like the one.  I'm a total song lyric person, so I started looking through my playlists to help with some blog naming inspiration.  I imagined that my attention would be grabbed by something from Sting, The Beatles, or Elton John, yet, as I scrolled down the playlist, m...