Have you ever heard the Buddhist story of The Second Arrow? It’s a powerful metaphor. It teaches us a lot about how we deal with pain and suffering in our lives.
The story goes like this: Imagine you’re out walking in the forest, and suddenly, you get struck by an arrow. Ouch! That first arrow represents the inevitable pain and difficulties we all face in life – physical pain, emotional heartbreak, loss, struggle and so on. […]
Compassion
Sharing Someone Else’s Wound
My son was on a trip, a semester-long program in Israel, and then they traveled to Poland for 10-days.
On this program, he made a good friend, a new friend, named Mason.
When they got to Poland, they were touring some of the centers of Jewish life before the war. They were also going to the camps.
On the third or fourth day of the time in Poland, Mason disappeared for the day with one of the counselors on the program. […]
Three Tools for a Stress-Free Holiday Season
While this time of the year is for some a source of joy and pleasure, for others it can be the biggest trigger of anxiety
We are bombarded with expectations of being happy and generous, and sometimes we may feel inadequate and alone by feeling just the opposite. Such is the case with a client I have been mentoring lately who was going through moments of intense worry as the end of the year is approaching. […]
How to Challenge Negative Thoughts
Did you know most humans have between 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts a day?!!
Thoughts could be a wonderful source of creativity. Our brain has been designed to protect us, and alert us of possible threats. That is why our thinking energy goes to repetitive and mostly negative thoughts about future speculations or resolve past events.
On top of that, our built-in mechanism to counterbalance these negative thoughts – the frontal lobe -can be easily overridden by fear, […]
Holding Space for Someone
What is to hold space for someone?
Holding space for someone simply means being present for them without judgment. It means allowing someone the time and freedom to feel, process and work through their emotions and experiences in their own way so they can heal.
When you hold space for someone, you listen openly and actively, offer empathy and understanding. You provide a safe container for them to be vulnerable.
You give them the freedom to feel, […]
Self-Care Rituals to Show us Self-Love
The most important relationship you will ever have is the relationships with yourself. That relationship will set the foundation for the rest of the relationships you will build in your life.
I invite you to embrace who you are with flaws and all, and if you have not already, to consider falling in love with yourself.
Unfortunately, many of us have been taught to put ourselves last, that thinking of ourselves is selfish, but nothing is further from the truth. […]
Acceptance
Resistance to what IS breeds dissatisfaction. Much of our pain comes from wanting things to be different than they are. Yet reality is as it is, and fighting against it is futile and only brings more struggle. Acceptance is crucial to stop suffering.
When we accept things as they are in this present moment, a deep feeling of peace can arise within us. Suddenly, there is no longer friction between our desires and reality. […]
Caring for Each Other
We are social creatures, designed to rely on and support each other. Yet in today’s fast-paced, individualistic society, we often lose sight of this.
Taking care of one another starts with basic human compassion. When we see someone struggling, reaching out a helping hand, offering a kind word, or just listening without judgment can make all the difference. Small acts of kindness, done regularly, build up community resilience and wellbeing.
We also must realize that we are all in this together. […]
How to Respond to the Heartbreaking News
So much happens around us every day that tugs at our heartstrings and evokes strong emotions.
We see heartbreaking stories of suffering, injustice and tragedy in the news, on social media and in our communities. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of pain out there.
Yet we must find a way to keep our emotional balance. Being overwhelmed with outrage and sorrow helps no one, least of all those who are suffering. […]
A Medicine Woman’s Prayer
A Medicine Woman’s Prayer
I will not rescue you
for you are not powerless.
I will not fix you
for you are not broken
I will not heal you
for I see you in your wholeness.
I will walk with you
through your darkness
as you remember
your light.
We are all born with an inner light, a sense of wholeness and goodness within. Yet, life can cast shadows that dim our light and make us feel broken. […]