Body, Mind, & Spirit

Hygge isn’t about changing your entire life or suddenly having endless free time. It’s about gently reshaping the way your days feel. Even in a full, busy schedule, there are small opportunities to pause, soften, and reconnect with yourself.

Dopamine Nation is a timely and thought-provoking exploration of addiction, pleasure, and the modern struggle to maintain balance in an overstimulated world. Written by psychiatrist Anna Lembke, the book blends clinical insight, patient stories, and neuroscience to explain how the brain’s reward system shapes behavior—and how easily it can be thrown off balance.

Blink is a compelling exploration of how humans make decisions in the first few seconds of encountering something new. Written by Malcolm Gladwell, the book examines the power—and sometimes the danger—of rapid cognition, or what Gladwell calls “thin-slicing”: the brain’s ability to make quick judgments based on very limited information.

Meditations is a collection of personal reflections written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a ruler who used philosophy not for public teaching, but for private self-discipline and moral grounding. Written as a series of personal notes rather than a structured treatise, the work stands as one of the most influential texts in Stoic philosophy.

Man’s Search for Meaning is a profound and deeply human exploration of suffering, purpose, and the inner forces that allow people to endure extreme hardship. Written by psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, the book combines memoir and psychological theory, drawing from Frankl’s experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps and his development of logotherapy.

The Last Lecture is a reflective and emotionally resonant memoir built around the idea of what someone would say if given the chance to distill their life’s most important lessons into a final talk. Written by Randy Pausch after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, the book blends life philosophy, personal storytelling, and practical advice into a message centered on how to live with purpose, integrity, and joy even in the face of mortality.

The Four Agreements is a compact but influential self-help and spiritual guide that draws on Toltec wisdom to propose a simple code of conduct for reducing suffering and living with greater emotional freedom. Written by Don Miguel Ruiz, the book is structured around four core principles meant to challenge deeply ingrained beliefs that often shape human behavior, relationships, and self-perception.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a deeply structured and principle-centered approach to personal and professional effectiveness that has shaped modern thinking about productivity, leadership, and character development for decades. Written by Stephen R. Covey, the book goes far beyond time management or motivational advice, instead offering a complete framework for living and working with integrity, intention, and long-term clarity.

As a Man Thinketh is a short but influential philosophical work that explores the relationship between thought, character, and life circumstances. Written by thinker James Allen, the book presents a simple but powerful idea: a person’s inner thoughts shape their outer reality.

Girl, Wash Your Face is a motivational self-help memoir that blends personal storytelling with encouragement aimed at helping readers challenge self-doubt and negative thinking. Written by Rachel Hollis, the book became a major bestseller in the late 2010s, widely discussed for its upbeat tone, relatable anecdotes, and strong emphasis on personal responsibility and self-improvement.

Atomic Habits is a highly practical self-improvement book that focuses on how small, consistent changes can compound into remarkable long-term results. Written by James Clear, the book has become one of the most influential modern guides on habit formation, productivity, and behavior change.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking is a thoughtful and research-informed exploration of introversion and how personality shapes the way people think, work, and interact with the world. Written by Susan Cain, the book challenges the long-standing cultural bias that often favors extroversion as the ideal personality type, offering a compelling argument for the value of quieter, more reflective individuals.

A Walk in the Woods is a witty, observant, and often laugh-out-loud account of one man’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Written by travel writer Bill Bryson, the book blends personal memoir, travelogue, and environmental commentary into an entertaining narrative about ambition, nature, and the unpredictable realities of long-distance hiking.

The Yamas & Niyamas is a reflective and accessible guide to the ethical foundations of yoga, offering a grounded interpretation of ancient wisdom for modern life. Written by Deborah Adele, the book explores the first two limbs of the eightfold path of yoga, presenting them not as rigid rules, but as practical principles for living with greater awareness, integrity, and compassion. Rarely has a book had as profound a personal impact on me as this one did.

One of the most compelling aspects of Gift from the Sea is its emphasis on simplicity. Lindbergh suggests that in order to live a meaningful life, we must learn to let go of excess—whether it’s physical clutter, emotional burdens, or the constant pressure to do and be everything at once. Her insights feel especially relevant in today’s fast-paced world, where busyness is often mistaken for fulfillment. She gently reminds readers that stillness and solitude are not luxuries, b

At the core of Elrod’s method is the “SAVERS” routine: Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (journaling). Each element is designed to cultivate mental clarity, focus, and intentionality before the demands of the day begin. The idea is that by dedicating even a small amount of time each morning to these practices, you can create momentum that carries through the rest of your life.

The Untethered Soul is an introspective and spiritually focused book that explores the nature of consciousness, the mind, and what it truly means to be free. Written by Michael A. Singer, the book invites readers to step back from their thoughts and emotions and begin observing them from a place of awareness rather than identification.

Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes is an energetic, often astonishing memoir that explores the limits of human endurance—both physical and mental. More than just a story about running extreme distances, the book is a reflection on resilience, self-discovery, and what drives someone to push far beyond conventional boundaries.

The Heart of Yoga is a timeless and deeply thoughtful guide that explores yoga not just as a physical practice, but as a complete system for living with greater awareness, balance, and purpose. Written by T. K. V. Desikachar, the book reflects the teachings of his father, the renowned yogi Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, and offers a more traditional, holistic perspective on yoga than many modern interpretations.

Rocks do not have feelings. But, humans definitely do, and that’s ok. That’s the basic premise for this intriguing book about mental health. Mark Freeman is not a licensed therapist. It's important to understand that when evaluating the advice he proposes. He’s more of a mental fitness coach, giving practical tips on how to navigate a healthy path based on his personal experience. He candidly shares the negative effects that OCD and anxiety had on his own daily life and relat

When I was a young mom I took a series of cake decorating classes. I wanted to know how to make cute, unique cakes for my kids' birthdays. It was fun learning to make my own icing and create roses and fancy designs. I spent hours working on what, in many ways, were art pieces. My favorite that I ever made was an aquarium cake. Imagine seaweed made from green fruit leather. You get the idea. It was a lot of work, but I loved the process.

There is a toll taken on our minds and bodies when they are continually active, and not given the chance to rest. Physical exhaustion and mental fatigue ensue, and even anxiety and depression can result in extreme cases. I knew I was far too busy and needed to slow down, but I didn't realize the full extent of how severe it was until I actually tried to do it.

10 time wasters I personally discovered and eliminated or at least limited: (maybe some of these will sound familiar to you too)

One of the most powerful realizations I ever had was that I have no future. I don't mean that in a fatalistic way. Simply that the future isn't actually real. It is only an illusion or idea of what might or might not be real someday. So I have hope for things in the future, of course, but I don't have an actual future that can be owned, pinned down or guaranteed. A million factors could come along between this moment and a future moment to alter the outcome or course I am on.

In our modern world we run awfully fast. In addition to our primary jobs, many of us have "side-gigs." In the pursuit of lofty goals we push ourselves so hard sometimes that we have no days off. Many households are being run by single parents. That's a lot to carry alone. Cell phones are a blessing, but also mean that we are "available" 24/7. Even in downtime we are busily scrolling social media and games. There is immense pressure to keep our bodies and homes magazine worthy

Untethered and alive at last. Stepping into my passion hurts a little. But it’s the sweetest kind of pain that leads to joy.

Who do you love? I mean really, really love? What do you love? Deep down at your core? Sometimes it can be surprisingly hard to sort this out actually. Your brain may give one answer, while your actions are telling a different story.

Love people. Just simply love them and they will feel it. Never miss a chance to make someone else smile. Their happiness will radiate right back to you.

We can wait it out patiently. At times that is all we can do. But usually there comes a critical moment where we have the opportunity to make a decision. To consciously look for the benefits that can come from the twists and turns life throws at us, and deliberately walk toward them. To not only endure the tears, but choose to embrace ways to transform them into happiness. On purpose. To actively participate in turning your "why me" into your Why.

I ran and I ran and I ran, several times a week. I was seeing improvement at long last, but dreaded going out every day. I was pushing myself grudgingly along one morning, as usual, mumbling to myself about how much I hated running, when I suddenly just stopped in my tracks and started to laugh. Wait...what?? I hated running, I realized. Not because it was hard, or because I lacked drive or willpower. I had achieved many other fitness goals in other realms over time, that too

We understand this concept instinctively when it comes to money. If we have a thousand dollars to invest, we will search for the vehicle that will bring us the highest return on investment, and put our money there. This just makes sense right? But do we do this with our time?

Do you have something in your life that you would like to change or accomplish that seems elusive and impossible? Think about ONE thing you CAN do today that starts you moving in that direction, even if it seems insignificant or like it won't make much impact. The biggest change will be in YOU. That you believed in yourself enough to start walking.

The rise and fall of the lungs. The continuous flow of living. Embrace it. Allow that rhythm to sustain your body, soul and vitality without impeding it. Breathe into it. Just breathe.

I had my older kids pretty much convinced when they were little that "shut up" was a swear word. I still kind of think of it that way. There is a cruelty in such a demand. To enforce or even imply that someone else's voice ought to be silenced is arrogant and often dangerous.

Don't over think it. Don't judge it. Don't restrain it. Just follow joy where it leads and embrace the journey.

I believe that one of the greatest challenges of this journey called life, is learning to find beauty in the broken. To piece-by-piece create something unique and new as often as is required. Lessons learned, compassion gained, perspective and strength all combine into the dazzling mosaic of a life reimagined.

Is a dandelion pretty? I guess it depends on how you decide to look at it, and whether you focus on the weeds or the wishes. The same is true for a body image or even a life. Where your focus goes...that is what you will see. But that may not be the whole picture.

On the day that I die, whenever that time may come, my hope and prayer is that I will leave echos of love and light behind me. The incomparable Mae West once said, "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." In other words - Make it Count!

One day at a time. One step at a time. One breath at a time. One task at a time. This is your life. Be there.

Your value does not decrease based on someone else's inability to see and appreciate your worth. It makes zero actual difference what anyone else thinks at all. Stay close to those who know that you are a unique gem, and help you to believe it too.

It is about THANKS and GIVING. Hugs. Smiles. Love. Let's take some time this week to refocus our lives on these beautiful principles. Life changing in their simplicity. And make a commitment and a plan as to how to incorporate them into the rest of the year as well, so they become part of our very beings. Gratitude is the foundation of joy. You can't really have one without the other.

After a couple of months taking ballroom dance lessons, I have come to a surprising realization. The hardest part for me has not been the steps or the rhythm as I had expected. Those have been coming fairly naturally. As it turns out, the thing I have found most challenging is learning how to follow.

Ahhh the proverbial elephants in the room. You know - those things we don't talk about that continue to grow until they finally force our attention.

Learning to create and exist in the quiet is well worth the effort. To truly hear what your heart has to say, when you take the time to listen. It may surprise you.

It is often from emptiness that beauty is born, and only empty arms are free to give a hug to someone who needs one. Empty bank accounts, wine glasses and gas tanks can all be refilled. Souls can be too.

To me the ocean, in essence, is a place of love where my inner child laughs and plays. And that, above all, is where its true magic and beauty is found.

What have YOU been putting off and waiting for? It's never too late to believe in your dreams, even the ones you haven't nurtured for awhile.

What does that look like when we are doing more than we can? How do we recognize when we have crossed the line?

The internet is great for facts, figures, amusing anecdotes and research. We can even find self-help information, motivation and a form of connection on its pages. But spiritual inspiration, advice from loved ones and intuition are important resources too, when seeking answers to the questions that matter most. Love and pure wisdom on a real, personalized level are not found on a computer screen, and I don’t believe they ever will be.

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but YOU ARE ENOUGH. Let that sink deeply into your heart, and believe it.