They say that water retains the memories. Ah, so what do mine remember? They remember a belly large like a whale’s and a dark line that ran down from rib to pubic bones. They remember the sensation of a babe shifting inside. They remember as the waters inside discovered the waters outside, and how they reached for each other in recognition, my little one turning somersaults in delight. They remember the fear I felt when I stepped … [Read more...]
“Women die in childbirth as a result of systemic failures including: barriers to accessing care, inadequate, neglectful or discriminatory care, and overuse of risky interventions like inducing labor and delivering via cesarean section.” -- Amnesty International For many of us who haven't yet been through childbirth, there's an image we have of what it's like: A woman is rushed to the hospital in a taxi; she gets put in a wheelchair and is … [Read more...]
Here is my Soul Food for Parents, inspired by a talk with a client yesterday who is a mother of 4. She gives "everything" she says to her children and cannot understand why they are struggling with their self-esteem and "receiving praise." I asked her how she is with the same and she laughed..."not so good." Your children will do as you do, not just take in what you say. If they see you holding your head up high, proud of who you are and … [Read more...]
Still hillarious after all these years... … [Read more...]
One of the greatest honors for me was the opportunity to contribute a chapter in an anthology of stories, focusing on the strength of the human spirit, called "Living Proof, Celebrating the Gifts that Come Wrapped in Sandpaper." My chapter, called "The Heart Whispers Truth," highlights the lessons learned in my first marriage. During speaking engagements this past spring in Florida, Chicago and Los Angeles, I used the opportunity to talk about … [Read more...]
I believe that 95% of conflict stems simply from miscommunication and misunderstanding. As a result, I don't get my emotional feathers ruffled too often anymore. Rather, I have learned to PAUSE before responding when there is a problem, disappointment or conflict. Let me be clear, thought, that his "aha" in my own life took time. In the name of being "in my truth," I used to think I had to express myself quickly -- and often -- and I did so … [Read more...]
When my niece was 13 years old, I called her after a school play to ask her how it went. "It was great" she exclaimed....."I was really proud of my performance!" When my sister got on the phone I told her how amazing I thought it was that my niece, at an age when young girls are dimming their light to be accepted and not perceived as "conceited"........ could really celebrate and acknowledge herself. She told me something that I vowed to share … [Read more...]
ON TRUE PROSPERITY, WELL-BEING, AND CULTIVATING AN EVOLUTIONARY HEART~~~ by Christiane Schull ~~ "You've got to go with your heart. You've got to know that God is running the show. You can't judge by appearances and 'think' you 'know'. 'Knowledge' like that is a recipe for pain. You've got to let go and stay open. Because right when you are sure 'all is lost', The Divine will do a 'soft shoe' right in front of you: 'TAH-DAH', it will say~ as … [Read more...]
