How to Be Present As We All Exchange Our Presents

The holidays can be a time of great joy. For some, it means spending time with beloved friends and family and cherishing our memories together even as we move toward a new year with new memories to be formed. But—let’s be honest: the holidays aren’t always a free-for-all of fun and togetherness. In fact, some […]

How to Stay Present-Focused During the Holidays

As the new year approaches and people get ready to make vows dedicated to what they will attempt to achieve in the new year, it can be easy to get swept up in the tumult of future-focused idealism. Although planning goals and setting out to achieve them is a noble endeavor, it’s important to remember […]

Coping With “Resolution Season”

It’s that time of year again! The gyms are packed with people resolute in turning over a new, fit leaf, cigarette smokers are crushing packs and affixing patches, and fast-food junkies are perusing the produce aisles at the grocery store. The season of the New Year’s resolution is upon us, and it will remain in […]

“Blooming” is Beautiful, But Almost Never Easy

Think, for a moment, of a flower in bloom. If you’re not allergic to pollen, you may find it a calming, pleasant thought to hold in mind. The beautiful colors of the petals and the sweet smell of the bloom are quite nice, and the symbolism of a flower in bloom may also hold some […]

Mindfulness Can Make a Huge Difference in Your Life

For many of us, the journey through self-discovery and self-growth begins not with a seed, but with what we may think of as barren earth. We may not have any idea where to begin with regard to changing our lives—but we know change is what we want. Still, without any bold-faced starting line in front […]

The Brain, Mindfulness and Implicit Bias

You don’t need to understand science in order to understand mindfulness, it may even be a hindrance in some cases, but it can still be useful for studying and/or explaining many fascinating aspects of the mindful state. One of the most important examples is the way science can help us better understand how challenging it […]

Strengthening Empathy as A Mindful Practice

Empathy is one of the most underrated characteristics in all of human psychology. Not only is it a key parts to being a decent human, but it is also crucial to discovering our true self in the present. Sometimes people act like empathy is an alien concept, or may even treat it with misguided contempt […]

How to Benefit from Mindful Meditation

Understanding mindfulness from as many angles as possible will help you get the most out of the concept. Contrary to the beliefs of some, being mindful and utilizing the power of the present are far from new age concepts. Buddhists are among the oldest practitioners of the skill. Different sects of Buddhism define mindfulness in […]

Understanding and Relating to Enlightenment

Asking someone to describe an enlightened state can conjure up visions of idealistic paradises and conversations with all-knowing entities. Others may react to the request with skepticism and refute the very idea as being mystical, mythical or both. These unfortunately common outlooks are likely fueled by the way enlightenment has been portrayed in the media. […]

The Mystery of Consciousness

If you want to see an academic break down, just ask them for the definition of consciousness. In virtually any field of study that includes the topic, there are few matters that can invoke a state of confusion like those related to our apparent ability to be aware. This makes it a great subject for […]

My Spiritual Quest @ Joshua Tree

I am currently in place filled with twisted, spiky trees that look like it was taken straight out of a Dr. Seuss book…well, Joshua Tree National Park. It’s an amazing place that is not only known for its beauty, but also known as a place to “get away from the chaos of our world”. I […]

Breaking down the codependent personality

It was 2012 when I became a Certified Life Coach (CPCC) and found that I could apply my own life experiences as one partner in a codependent relationship to those of others who were going through the same or similar points in their own lives. I could go into the history of codependence and how […]