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...]
Described by the filmmaker as follows: "Our first inspirational mini-film has caused a small, unexpected international sensation. Thank you to all 1,000,000+ viewers who've seen it and the thousands of letters we've received in response! We're overjoyed so many of you are touched, encouraged, inspired." … [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...]
In a strip 4 x 8, they pile the dirt. And in the dirt they dig a hole. And in the hole they put a tree. It is a young tree, delicate limbs, thin bark, roots just beginning to spread. The box is split, the tree hauled out, and it is plopped in the ground with little care and less grace. A tablet is tossed in, a splash of water, and the dirt is piled back around it. On either side two stakes are pounded in, and wires trap it tightly in … [Read more...]
I have been thinking a lot about my journey lately. Where have I come from and where the heck am I going? I have been thinking about all the tools I have learned in the self development arena in the last 15 years and how I’m still on that path. Still learning about and uncovering some more of myself; unburying those treasures I kept hidden in the dark forest of my mental filing cabinets. As it usually happens when I’m taking a shower; what … [Read more...]
My father used to tell me that we can never step back into the river in the same place, no matter how much we desire it. And to that I would respond: that may be true, but sometimes in the attempt, the result is a greater blessing than we would have thought. At the age of 8 my parents nudged me into the world of theater. Perhaps they thought it would help me with my shyness. Perhaps, being artists themselves, they believed that … [Read more...]
Anyone want to join a free women's mastermind group I'm facilitating? Contact Ariel at healnaturally@gmail.com … [Read more...]
Recently I was invited to share tips for controlling Road Rage, on the Premier Episode of Dr. Drew's LifeChangers on the CW channel. We ran out of time on the show for all the steps, so they videotaped me talking through it so that they could post the action plan on their website. These coping strategies can be used also for Anger Management and Anxiety. Click here, forward to someone you love, and try some of these techniques for … [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...]
