Every time I come to Maui, I sink back into an inner knowing that is easy to forget in the middle of suburbia; I am an islander. My inner draw to a slower and simpler way of life, to more
Bliss Followers; trusting your heart’s desires to lead you
I’ve seen it over and over in sessions with clients. When I suggest that people “follow their bliss” and do the things that delight their souls, a ‘guilty’ child-like grin spreads all over their face. As they play with the
Girl Drama; reflecting outside of the box
The other day, I was talking with a friend about her concerns for her daughter and all the “girl drama” she has experienced at school. In my “past life” as a school social worker, I would have addressed the symptom, and discussed
Authentically Responding to Criticism
When people raise their voices at children, if the child has not already been “hardened,” the child feels sad, scared, alone. It is how children naturally respond to harsh energy. And unless they’ve been shamed out of this, they express
Online Parenting Retreat
Hi everyone, I am excited to be participating in a FREE Online Parenting Retreat for Moms, beginning tomorrow, May 25. All of the information that you need to know is available on Ellen Braun’s website: Click here to view more details. I encourage
Suburban monk
We all have days or moments when we find ourselves reacting to daily challenges with our children. We may see ourselves as just getting through this day or this moment. I so know the feeling. It feels non-creative, dry, even
Natural Eating
Having grown up very urban, I was like many of our country’s population who did not know where or how food grew. I was food addicted and grew up eating enormous amounts of sugar and junk food. Finding my way
Drinking in Nature, Everywhere
*I wrote this a couple years ago before our chickens and ducks brought nature home even more. These reflections helped me to actively experience the blessing of nature everywhere which is a foundation of connecting within. I would love to
Celebrating Mother in all of us
Lucas has been sick with a bitter cough all week. Two days ago, our doctor told us it would be best for him to take a few days off of school and rest. So we settled back into a life we haven’t
Stop and See without judgement
We are coming out of a week of being sick with coughs, colds and fevers. The exhaustion Ifeel reminds me of life with baby. When we start to have more freedom because our children’s needs are now less physically intense,