Perception, Reaction & Mindfulness
I am frequently asked “What is mindfulness?”
I start by saying something poignant like “It’s being aware and in the present moment” or “It’s about allowing each experience to wash over us like a cool spring rain, without attachment or judgments.” I love these answers and they generally tend to spawn a lively conversation about experiences, judgment and simply allowing ourselves to be present.
Mindfulness, though, is also about perception and reaction. Here’s what I mean…


I spend a lot of time thinking about questions such as, “How do we change?” “Why is it so hard to make ourselves do things that we want to do?”
Most of us want to get along well with other people. One way to do this is to help people feel good about themselves.
Yoga used to be way too slow for me. Actually, it was more like I was way too fast for yoga.
I grew up with high anxiety, and at times wondered if my tendency to brood and overthink could be fueling my anxiety and stress. After several years of researching ways to cope with anxiety, I was convinced that an excessive tendency toward “inward attention” could indeed be the primary reason for my anxiety.
Sex, drugs & rock n’ roll. Ever wondered why those three things go together in this famous expression?
A relatively hot topic turned up at the end of last year, found in and among commentary on national bestseller lists, with scores of subsequent articles and essays in magazines, journals and online: taking risk to achieve the happiness you crave and deserve in life and work.
When we’re stressed, if often feels like everything begins to fall apart. It’s during stressful times that we misplace our keys, forget important events on our calendars, fail to call our mothers on their birthdays and leave important work documents at home.
What are you going to do for yourself in this season of spring?
A recent post of mine,
Date: Tuesday, May 7 @ 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
The opposite of depression is not happiness, according to Peter Kramer, author of