Sometimes an inspirational line can trigger what we need to change. Old Habits Die Hard said Mick Jagger’s song. Carrying on the theme of renewal, rebooting, reframing for a new year, I was thinking about how habits can be so mindless. We are practicing what we don’t want. Enjoy the ancient, wise, current quotes IContinue reading “New Habits”
Author Archives: Jane Meryll
New Beginning
This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change. Taylor Swift. singer Be willing to be a beginner every single morning. Meister Eckhart, philosopher Welcome 2023! We have a new year book of empty pages to be filled. A wise old practice is to pick a value, a character trait, and someContinue reading “New Beginning”
SAD & Silence
Know the secret of silence. . . Being silent doesn’t shut down your mind, it only activates a deeper type of intelligence. Richard Carlson, author The holidays of light occur during winter when darkness fills more of our wakeful hours. On December 7, the shortest day of 2022 (yes before the solstice this year),Continue reading “SAD & Silence”
FOCUS
Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Michelle Obama Here’s some abracadabra to practice. It’s the magical ‘focus’ experiment for less stress, fluttering, or fear at the luxurious moment between dark and light, unconscious and conscious when we wake up. The alchemy is determination to wake up a new way. TheContinue reading “FOCUS”
STAND STILL
In the midst of chaos keep stillness inside of you. Deepak Chopra As we glide into autumn, with winter’s imminent hibernation cycle approaching, we anticipate festivals, celebrations, and holidays. Life gets noisier, perhaps more chaotic than cozy or peaceful. I seek peacefulness every day just because I love knowing I can turn up the calm.Continue reading “STAND STILL”
Change
If you keep doing what you’ve always been doing you’ll get what you’ve always gotten. When I first heard this, my body felt an impact. As a pianist who practiced for perfection, no mistakes, artful execution, it struck me clearly that this could apply to thinking or behavior I want to change. Building new habits,Continue reading “Change”
I Am My Own Sanctuary
I am my own sanctuary and I can be reborn as many times as I choose throughout my life. Lady Gaga Sometimes in the deepest mindful moments of stillness, there can be discomfort. Often, it’s fear of the past or the future or the unknown pressing down. Maybe it’s a present pain or sorrow. InsteadContinue reading “I Am My Own Sanctuary”
Monkey Mind
Taming my monkey mind is a full-time job. Tara Brach, PhD, meditation teacher Here’s a social post I saw over Labor Day. “Summer isn’t over yet. So sit your happy Halloween pumpkin spice butt down until I finish drinking my margaritas!” LOL Oh my! Summer isn’t officially over until 9:03pm on September 22. Plenty ofContinue reading “Monkey Mind”
Listening Uncritically
It is the privilege of wisdom to listen. Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., physician, writer About twenty years ago when doing some deep inner work, I became aware that I talked a lot, an awful lot, often reactively anxious, sometimes because I thought I needed to say something about everything, sometimes not even breathing. I decidedContinue reading “Listening Uncritically”
Knowing Myself
Knowing MyselfKnowing others is intelligence,Knowing yourself is true wisdom.Mastering others is strength,Mastering yourself is true power. Excerpt from Tao Te Ching, verse 33, translated by Stephen Mitchell There are numerous translations of the Tao. I own several that I’ve been reading daily for years. I love the simplicity of Zen wisdom. Lao Tzu’s principles forContinue reading “Knowing Myself”