Uncertainty is in the air in my house.  Out of our five children, four of them will be attending new schools next year.  The amazing thing is that we have no idea what schools.  What college, what high schools, what elementary school?  We’ve pretty much got the educational span covered. (more…)

“What’s new?”  my friend asked.  “Nothing much” I answered.  And then I realized how very true that was for me.  After several years of major NEW (new home, new husband, new office, new family members), suddenly everything is notably not new. (more…)

It was late and we were driving on a narrow country road.  Victoria was looking down at her cell phone, texting.  Off to my left I saw some elaborate Halloween lights.  Suddenly blinded, I was aware of two sets of headlights coming directly toward us. (more…)

I rang the small Tibetan bell three times.  My client and I closed our eyes and breathed in the sound, allowing ourselves to come into the moment with a heightened mindfulness.Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose, of noticing and savoring a moment exactly as it is.  When a client walks into my office, the mental noise from their day, from their drive, from their busyness hovers around them like a cloud.  Pausing long enough to listen to a bell results in a perceptible, even tangible shift in their energy. (more…)

It starts the minute they turn 15 ½: “Mom, can I drive?”  I just survived this rite of passage 2 years ago, and now here we go again with my son Channing.

We start with the empty parking lots.  Next the quiet cul-de-sacs.  We graduate to back-country roads, then busier streets, then rush hour traffic.  I have learned to relax the grip on the door and refrain from screaming, “slow down!” (more…)