Dear Reader, I recently posted pictures on Facebook of the dogs resting nose to nose; the caption read, “The more time I spend with them, the more dog I become.” As we all know, there are many lessons to be learned from dogs — like, love unconditionally, be loyal, stop to smell the roses (or more likely other foul smelling substances), and just be. It’s this last lesson that relates to the Dutch term niksen that I want to share with you. Embracing Niksen: The Art of Doing Nothing for Greater...
2 months ago • 7 min read
Dear Reader, “The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.” — Konrad Lorenz, zoologist and founding father of ethology, the study of animal behavior When I started this note days ago, I wanted to discuss presence and how the vitality and richness of life come down to present-moment awareness. Since then, I have been spending every moment with my ailing, almost-16-year-old dog, Carmelita, or Carma as we most often call her. Our time together in the past weeks...
5 months ago • 5 min read
Dear Reader, You Guessed It! Change. Sometimes in August we get a cold day, or I catch a whiff of a certain wind that reminds me of FALL. Suddenly, from in my bones, a certain sadness and anxiety arise and fill my body. These stem from deep in childhood. I’m trying to hold on to summer and savor what I love about it, but August is the month that always triggers feelings associated with transition and change. For example, as a lifelong learner and teacher, this month signifies the return to...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Dear Reader, I hope you are having a beautiful summer and are able to savor parts of this season that you love. I'm holding dear the longer days, fresh flowers and vegetables from the garden, and more time with family and friends. Luke and I escaped to Truro, Cape Cod for two days to celebrate our 31st anniversary, a place dear to us where we met 35 years ago. Then we spent a couple of days on a working oyster farm in Harpswell, Maine — one of the most beautiful places on earth. There I gave...
7 months ago • 4 min read
Dance of Moon & Sun The Penumbral Moon and Now the Solar Eclipse! See What's Coming Up Next at Barred Owl Well over a year ago, my childhood friend Chip Gasser reached out to me from London, asking if I, and our other childhood friend Kara, would like to meet him in our homeland of Bethel, Maine for the eclipse. It was such a sweet invitation. Though I thought he was overplanning just a bit—the Bethel Inn wasn’t taking reservations yet. Alas, he ultimately couldn’t make the trip. I planned...
10 months ago • 2 min read
On Letting Go Letting Go is an Act of Self-love. When we can’t let go of the past, we can’t allow the beauty and wisdom of the present to shine through. As I plan for this Saturday’s 1-day retreat, I reflect on the theme of self-love. However, what keeps echoing in my mind is a question recently posed to me: “How do you let go?” Letting go is something we address during retreats and circles as we incorporate activities and rituals to practice releasing what no longer serves us: habits,...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
Dear Reader, I hope the new year is treating you well. My January highlights were the online mindfulness circle and women's mindfulness weekend retreat at the Barred Owl! I have so much gratitude for all in attendance and all who have inspired a mindfulness membership... Welcome to the Mindful Awakening Program (MAP) an Online Circle Membership Register Your Interest HERE Do you ever feel disconnected from your true self? From others and the world around you? Are you lacking calm and clarity?...
about 1 year ago • 5 min read