Mindful New England

11/09/2024

I remember my childhood English Teacher, Mr. Lovett, in Vermont (who later went on to become headmaster for many years) inspired me in using his deep Christian faith (I was and am Buddhist) to relay his love and appreciation for Henry David Thoreau, and for Nature, and how Nature was and is the same thing as God.

He instructed us not to think like him, but to learn how to think: to refine our critical thinking skills, to question ourselves and others fearlessly but gently, with curiosity. He inspired me to love Thoreau for my whole life, this being 30 years ago, or 35 (I’m 50 now), and I’ll likely name one of my children Thoreau, if I’m so lucky.

His inspiration could not have been so lasting if it had not come from his faith, which he easily, somehow, managed to convey without the sense of preaching or trying to convert us. Rather, he led us to the well of learning itself, not caring which path we took. Thank you Mr. Lovett!

09/09/2024

Any great animal rescues in Vermont? Mostly looking around Burlington, St. Johnsbury...the NEK.

31/05/2024

Deadline: tonight, Friday, May 31st at midnight.
Early Admission: get 25% off today (last day) and/or join with a friend for just $1 (?!)

Join here to get discount: https://bit.ly/FindYourVoiceFall2024 or more simply: elephantjournal.com/academy

01/04/2024

Going to my first Fenway Park game in 25 years!

04/03/2024

The next time someone you don’t know is really irritating you, try this:

It happens to all of us. Every once in a while, a total stranger drives us &@ #%’ing crazy. Maybe it’s the guy behind us on the airplane, kicking our seat every 20 seconds.

02/03/2024

"After meditating over this many hours, I came to the conclusion that for some of us (like me), true femininity comes from a deep connection with ourselves."

As a teen, I used to be a tomboy. I had a phase when I did soccer and dressed like a boy. I hid the first signs of my sprouting femininity under baggy pants and oversized

01/03/2024

"When I’m in the thick of it, the uncertainty of the future feels too much to bear. I tend to want to take the power back by making sweeping statements like, 'I accept I’ll never get the life I wanted, but it’s okay. I choose this life.' It’s as if choosing a known misery is somehow more acceptable to my psyche than the uncertainty of not knowing."

We’ve all been there. In the

28/02/2024

“Moving together as a family sets the foundation for appreciating some of the benefits of an active body, as well as helping kids develop skills around balance, teamwork, pacing one’s energy, healthy versus unhealthy competition, and the list goes on.”

I appreciate my daughters’ foundational comfort around being active outside. They have a true sense of adventure in the outdoors and in life in general. As young adults, they’ve tried and enjoyed mountain hiking, snow sports, and walks in the rain.

28/02/2024

"There's a widespread belief that some emotions are inherently bad and should be suppressed. But is this true? In our quest to maintain a façade of constant positivity, are we ignoring vital parts of our emotional spectrum?"

In our journey through life, emotions are our constant companions, whispering the truths of our hearts and minds. Sometimes, they're like a gentle breeze, uplifting

28/02/2024

"My spiritual crisis stripped me of illusions, revealing not just the fragility of my own psyche but the strength of my soul."

In the stillness of a night that promised nothing but turmoil, I found myself teetering on the edge of existence and oblivion. It was a moment not marked by the clarity of

27/02/2024

1. Death defies logic:

Both my parents died unexpectedly (Mom in her 60s and dad in his 70s), but when my mother died, I was a different person compared to when we lost Dad. There was a

24/02/2024

"I have a great therapist and she could tell you of the girl she met 16 years ago and the changes that she's made. I know she’s proud, but not more than I am. Did expressing it all the through writing really heal the little girl?"

It’s been over a year since I had an article published here. It isn’t because I haven’t been writing; I have. I’ve written short little paragraphs of thoughts and feelings and they litter

21/02/2024

"As we continue to navigate the complexities of life, embracing gratitude can serve as a powerful tool to cultivate a more positive and resilient mindset."

We've delved into studies and grown to understand the numerous advantages of practicing gratitude. Now more than ever, functional medicine doctors emphasize

21/02/2024

"Many years ago, I was experiencing a 'dark night of the soul,' a time when all I had worked for was coming to an end—my career, my marriage, my home. Although I would not want to personally experience this time again, I can gratefully acknowledge all that it taught me. And often that teaching occurred through seemingly random people. One such person was whom I refer to as The Wise Woman."

I can't wait to see my beautiful wings either; they will tell the story of my recovery and my redemption. My wings are beautiful and have more color and character

19/02/2024

Some challenges that you might face:

Forget travel brochures and cheesy airport montages—the reality of globetrotting with Type 1 Diabetes is an adventure in itself. At 17, I have already lived with Type 1