Forgetting My Words
Dearest Friend, Let me tell you about the time I lost my mind. To tell you the truth, it happens all the time. My highly successful selective amnesia has erased the painful peaks of heartbreak, childbirth, and too many martinis, leaving only benign flatlands that are much easier to navigate. Multiple times a…
The Art of Art
Dearest Friend, I gave myself the luxurious gift of two writer’s retreats in the past few weeks, and it was as wonderful as my highest expectations. The piece below was inspired by a rich conversation about the obstacles to writing, although the principles apply to any creative pursuit. I hope you find it useful, and…
A Curious Case of Writer’s Block
I’ve never had writer’s block. In fact, I categorized it with the many things I don’t believe in at all (e.g. Easter bunny, moon landing, terrible two’s, etc…). Two months ago I made a public declaration (as a requirement for the upcoming completion of my Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology) that I would (FINALLY!) complete…
Lovemaking and Moneymaking
First of all, this is not a post about prostitution. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way… I’m in the most wonderful honeymoon period of a new love relationship. It has been downright distracting, to say the least. Instead of doing my work, running my business or taking care of my house, I…
Bringing the Inside Out
Characters have been battling it out for airtime in my brain and through my fingers. The follow-up to my novel, which is half-written, is pulling me like a buggy behind a pack of horses. From nowhere (actually from a sexy dream ;)), came a whole new set of characters, in their own story. (A mystery…
Art-n-Soul Retreat: Centering and Creativity
An artist and a yoga teacher walk into a bar… “Red wine for me”, says the artist, “and a martini for my friend here.” I’m tired, they both say with their eyes. “My life needs more color”, says the teacher. “What do you think of covering ourselves in body paint and ecstatic dancing on a…
I Am From…
Guest post by Sofi Ayling, age 10. I am from… I am from yoga mats From tea and herbs I am from the purple door Fuzzy PJs and organic food I am from daddy’s Japanese garden The dead chipmunk who I miss with all my heart I am kindness and wisdom From Ralphy…
Declaration
I found it recently – a picture of me, off in the distance, my wispy white blouse slightly lifted by the soft breeze, arms raised holding my brand new camera and attempting to capture the river, the trees, and the sunset beautifying our evenings. The woman in that photo looks like the real deal, I…
I Believe
I believe in the hope in your heart that tells you to keep on going The dedication of a relationship The joy of achieving The beauty of your mind The responsibility of age Courage, Respect, Friendship But no violence I believe in being able to love who you love I believe in the reward of…
Assimilation, Integration, Expression
The pursuit of blending in was an obsessive reality of my first few decades. As a Caribbean immigrant of successful parents, I fit neither into the urban neighborhood where we began, or the rich white suburbs we moved to. I changed the shape of my body, the way I spoke, my interests and personality as…