Finding Joy in Baby Gratitudes
As you might know, I’m a big proponent of small steps—even micro ones—that keep us moving toward what matters most. At this time of year, gratitudes don’t have to be grand. Sometimes noticing the smallest details that enhance our lives deepens our ability to observe and appreciate the world around us. For instance, this year, […]
The future needs us to go deeper
Einstein once observed that our problems can’t be solved at the same level of thinking that created them. My take? To address our toughest challenges, we have to go deeper. When we stay on the surface, we often make things worse. I learned this lesson firsthand through an unexpected teacher: a recurring skin condition. (Stick with […]
The Art of Unknowing
When I was growing up, school rewarded us for what we knew. We were tested on facts and praised for correct answers. No one got brownie points for saying, “I don’t know the answer to that—it’s something I’d like to ponder for a while.” I earned three graduate degrees by excelling at knowing things. Fast […]
If you need a hug—or some light today
This isn’t the blog I intended to write. I’ll skip any analysis of the world or elections and instead offer you my hand—and a hug if you need it. If you’re feeling confused, angry, shocked, withdrawn, or numb, I get it. Here’s a hug. If you’re feeling joy or awe, I understand that, too. Beauty […]
Christina Baldwin, Author of the Beekeeper’s Question
Author Christina Baldwin is a pioneer in the field of personal writing, a decades-long teacher of journal writing and storytelling. Her titles related to this work are: One to One, Life’s Companion, The Seven Whispers, and Storycatcher. In 2024, she released her debut novel, The Beekeeper’s Question, Love and Honey, War and Reckoning, A Novel of WWII, a book […]
Because it’s complicated
High-end AI systems can now process a gigabyte (billion bits) of data per second. In contrast, human attention spans have declined to an average of just 8 seconds, according to recent research—which, amusingly, is one second less than that of a goldfish. In our increasingly complex world, this declining attention span is more than just […]
We’re in this together
Fear and worry can constrict us, prompting us to hold our energy protectively when we sense danger. These feelings can separate us, making us feel alone—even when many others share our concerns. We become smaller versions of ourselves, tightly wound and self-protective. While fear, worry, and anxiety are very human emotions, and they can serve […]
Celebrating The Muse—A One Year Anniversary
Candles and Balloons—Celebrating One Year of Meeting the Muse After Midlife As I reflect on the one-year anniversary of publishing Meeting the Muse After Midlife, I’m struck by how much I’ve learned. Through podcasts, webinars, and conversations, I’ve been listening intently to what resonates with people, all while noticing how the idea of the Muse […]
Seven Steps for Surviving Election Season
If you’re prone to anxiety, the pre-election period can feel like an endless source of heart-thumping drama. The state of the world seems to hang in the balance—and yet there’s often little you can do to influence the outcome of the election. But there is one thing you can always do: start with yourself. Here are […]
Expand Your Joy by Listing What You Love
Last week, I mounted my horse for the first time in six weeks. For most equestrians, mounting is second nature—we forget about it and focus on riding. But after hip surgery, swinging a leg over the saddle felt like a momentous, even risky, endeavor. I asked a friend to accompany me as I approached the […]
