Give your brain a break—extend your mind
Where does the mind live? In our brains? Our bodies? The environment? Each other? Some mix? Or, as philosophers Andy Clark and David Chalmers asked in 2000, “Where does the mind stop and the rest of the world begin?” While those questions might sound philosophical, they are really super practical. They move us from brain-based thinking […]
Should I say, “thank you” to “Alexa?”
Are chatbots making human interaction transactional during a time when human civility is increasingly endangered? I put the idea to the test this week thanks to Amazon. The power of “thank you” I am one of those people who grew up thinking “please” and “thank you” were the “magic words.“ Forgetting them had consequences at the […]
STOP!
STOP!Fermati!Arrête !СТОП! STOP! is a good word to have in your pocket. It’s short, abrupt, and good in emergencies. When I ride my horse, we have a movement called the “half-halt.” It’s a movement to pause and re-balance–often taking only a second. It’s key to good dressage riding. I was I had a “half-halt” for […]
If Trees Could Weep
If trees could weep, would they send sorrowsinto the groundthrough roots, mycelium,into rivers and seas? Blending stories from birch and beech, spruce and sycamoreNot worrying about differences.Speaking the truth of their silent observing,No agenda except to honor lifeLament as they witness horror. In Seattle, Warsaw, and KyivTrees shoulder usHold our tearsOffer their silent comfortRemind us that life flows onTake our pain […]
Life as improv–Nine rules for a better performance
In my sixties, I did a number of improvisational theatre classes, until the pandemic hit. I miss the fun, but no matter. Life has become increasingly like improv. For example, last week, among my friends: One sees a woman, standing befuddled in the supermarket with a food coupon in her hand. She offers to help. […]
Are we becoming Zoom zombies?
I’m about to do my first talk as a presenter at a Zoom conference. I’m not worried about what I’m going to say. I’m not worried about the lighting. I know to add a lamp or two so that so I don’t resemble a horror show character in Halloween. I am a little worried about […]
Can we think about that, please?
Tapping my deep knowing or intuition helps me navigate life from a place of inner-directedness. The question, “What am I feeling called to do now” is all-important to me, whether that information comes from intuition, a gut feeling or felt sense in my body, inner guides, or spiritual revelation. But having a strong intuition doesn’t […]
How to say no, nicely
For some of us, the pandemic brought a guilty pleasure. We were released from the burden of having to say no to some social obligations. In-person socializing was a loss, but for us introverts, it was a kind of relief. As the possibility of social obligations returns, I’ve heard friends saying, “I can’t use the pandemic […]
Zoom fatigue? It’s real and what to do
Many of us have been experiencing a chronic condition since early into the pandemic: Zoom fatigue. It’s growing worse. Last November, Psychiatric Times published an article, “A Neuropsychological Exploration of Zoom Fatigue.” Bottom line: it’s real. 18 months ago, I had barely Zoomed. Now I use Zoom as a verb. I nominate “Zoom fatigue” […]
Why not let life be complex?
This US Presidential Inauguration Day, a group of riders on white horses wearing white coats will ride into Washington, D.C. to assume power. At the same time, a group of black-coated riders on black horses will ride away. Peace will be restored and the world will be generous and safe. (I doubt you believe that.) […]
