Compassion Definition(s) with Inspiration from Chris Germer
I recently updated the compassion entry in the glossary section of the website—nothing fancy—but I realized it needed some attention. Read more ›
I recently updated the compassion entry in the glossary section of the website—nothing fancy—but I realized it needed some attention. Read more ›
Sometimes the most everyday things can provide something to explore and/or something in which to take refuge.
This phrase came to my mind last evening after observing Whiskers and Noelle interacting with a cardboard box.

One of the things in life that is pretty much a guarantee for humans is that we will have thoughts, lots and lots and lots of thoughts. The reality is that our minds are thought generating machines. An important question for all of us is what will be our relationship to our thoughts? What are helpful and unhelpful ways to live with and navigate our endless streams of thoughts? Read more ›
in Beautiful Foundations,Nature as Teacher,Poetry & Reflection,Practices and Resources

The book, The Heart and the Bottle, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (2010), wisely begins, “Once there was a girl much like any other…”. The story is about someone and something common—someone and something understandable, relatable. Read more ›
When people express feeling unsure how to proceed with working on something they are desiring to work on in their lives, and when my input about this conundrum is solicited, one of the responses I sometimes give is akin to this: to proceed, begin where you are and go from there. Read more ›

At this link you can watch a video on compassion that was produced, recently released, and generously shared by The International Center for Compassionate Organizations. For those who have participated in compassion-focused therapy sessions (e.g., via the mindful compassion group therapy program), some of the lines early on in the video will sound very familiar—I hope! Read more ›

I received a card once with the Maya Angelou quote on it, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this place a better place for all people”. It is a quote that has come to my mind at different points over the years since I first read it.
I like the quote. I also would like to build on it.

Think of a being you deeply cherish, maybe it is a person, maybe it is a cherished pet. Take a moment to feel the presence of this being, to feel the warmth you feel toward this being, the joy, the delight. What do you wish for this being? What does your heart wish for this being? Connect to the feelings imbued in this wish. Read more ›

“My whole heart for my whole life.” I saw this quote in a piece of artwork hanging on a studio wall that served as part of the backdrop for videos in the online course, Self-Compassion, with Kristin Neff and Brené Brown. It was love at first sight. Read more ›