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Who’s in the driver’s seat?
“I don’t want to be a passenger in my own life.” ~Diane Ackerman I love driving on the expressway, especially on beautiful summer days. When I’m heading north, for instance, I often recall my childhood vacations. My father always drove on those trips; Mom was a passenger and I had the back seat to myself. I loved watching the landscape change as we escaped the cities and suburbs. Metaphorically speaking, it’s often easier to let someone else do the driving. Sometimes we just want to sit back, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride. And there’s nothing wrong with that — unless we’re always dodging responsibility or letting someone…
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Vacation
“It is always our own self that we find at the end of the journey. The sooner we face that self, the better.” ~Ella Maillart, travel writer Summer is synonymous with vacations. For most of us, to go on a vacation means to “vacate” our place of residence and change our routines. We travel to find adventure or excitement; to escape our problems; or to experience something different. We might look for something new to learn. Or we might retreat quietly for rest and reflection. In doing so, we learn more about ourselves — what matters to us; what we want from life. I think the best vacations send us…
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How to feel more alive
“Try to learn to breathe deeply, really taste your food when you eat….Try as much as possible to be wholly alive, with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive.” ~William Saroyan We pay a price when we experience life primarily through screens and devices. If we’re not checking our phones, we’re watching TV or staring at a laptop. The Internet has made it possible for us to read and publish articles, watch videos, find new recipes, catch up on the news, and chat with friends anywhere. But humans are wired to enjoy three-dimensional experience…
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Make your bed
“When life feels like an emotional roller coaster, steady yourself with simple rituals. Make the bed. Water the plants. Rinse off your own bowl and spoon. Simplicity attracts calmness and wisdom.” ~Marc and Angel Chernoff, Marc and Angel Hack Life Everything feels like it’s in a state of chaos right now. While there’s not much we can do about national and international turmoil, it helps to create order out of disorder in our homes. The effort it takes to launder your bed linens, for instance, is rewarded when you pull back your fresh sheets and retire for the night. I used to think that being tidy was overrated by professional organizers —…
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When the truth isn’t out there
“Sometimes the only sane answer to an insane world is insanity.” — Fox Mulder Earlier this spring, I made myself physically ill by consuming a nonstop stream of political news every night on cable TV. My blood pressure fluctuated wildly and my sleep was often disrupted by apocalyptic nightmares. I had to put an end to my nightly news addiction. That’s why I’m grateful for Comet, the science fiction and fantasy broadcast network that focuses on cult classics such as Grimm and The X-Files. Now, every night before bed, I tune out the politics and catch up with special agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. I’m happy to report that I have fewer nightmares now.…
