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Category: Monthly Musings

Communicating Mindfully

10/20/2017

We interact with others all the time which gives us many opportunities to practice mindful communication skills. When we meditate, it is usually a solitary pursuit.  Even if we are…

Circles of Influence and Concern

9/27/2017

Our minds are thought generators, and many of the thoughts that arise can be stressful. The way the brain works, we can experience stress from an actual event, or we…

Dealing with the Aftermath

8/29/2017

The events of August 11 and 12 in Charlottesville continue to impact many individuals as well as the larger community. From white supremacists carrying Tiki torches across UVa Grounds on…

Acceptance

7/27/2017

Acceptance is one of the foundational attitudes of mindfulness and one of the hardest to learn. Our lives are fast-paced and usually geared to accomplishing goals, which sometimes are as…

Going on Vacation

6/29/2017

With the coming of summer many of us will be taking vacations. Vacations can certainly be positive times, although they often have their challenges as well. To begin with, getting…

The Gift of Silence

5/30/2017

Incorporating mindfulness into our everyday lives requires practice, and a principal way to practice is by meditating. Taking time for daily meditation is the best foundation for doing this regularly.…

Empathy and Compassion

4/27/2017

The relationship between empathy and compassion has received a lot of attention recently as it has become clear that they are related but not the same.  Empathy is the ability…

Minimizing Anxiety over Change

3/29/2017

Whether a liberal or conservative, the abrupt and dramatic changes in the political climate have created a lot of increased anxiety for many.  One of my dear patients came in…

Mindfulness and Leadership Part 2

2/28/2017

Previously, I wrote about mindfulness and leadership through the lens of emotional intelligence (EQ), focusing on two aspects of EQ: self-awareness and self-management.  The other two aspects of EQ in…

Why not make “Mindful Awareness” a New Year’s Resolution?

1/30/2017

Mindfulness is creating awareness of the present moment without judgment.  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is training in how to actually learn and incorporate this practice into our lives. It isn’t easy…