A list of things I’m enjoying and pondering this week…
What I’m listening to:
Dr. Mark Epstein has been a guest on the 10% Happier Podcast a number of times, which is where I was introduced to his work, and I always enjoy his viewpoints. He is a Buddhist, a Harvard trained psychiatrist and has written many books. In this chat, Mark shares his thoughts on why a lot of us are having weird dreams lately, which I appreciated because I most definitely am having bizarre, vivid dreams lately. They talk about the blurring of lines between meditation, therapy and dreams, which Mark seems to advocate for. It’s an interesting discussion that explores that fine balance between observation, investigation, curiosity and judgement in the realm of thoughts.
What I’m reading:
Is Sunscreen the New Margarine?
A fascinating read from Outside Magazine that poses the question: do the benefits of sun exposure outweigh the risk of skin cancer? After reading this, I’m personally leaning towards a yes. The article explores vitamin D supplementation, race, industry/marketing and cites some intriguing studies. I’ve been wary of slathering chemical laden sunscreen on my skin for years, but I’m also prone to burning without sun protection, so I continue to try to find the balance with cleaner sunscreen products and vitamin D supplementation during the dreary winter months.
What’s chilling me out:
My mom and I hit the nursery last weekend and bought a bunch of flowers. I enjoyed arranging them in pots and hanging baskets, putting my hands in the dirt and starting what I hope will be a beautiful, thriving floral oasis in the coming months! I find “deadheading” to be oddly meditative. And here’s something I can count on: my mother will always, always buy geraniums and they will always remind me of her 🙂
Quote I’m pondering:
“The old definition of a mother: a woman who gives birth to a child, adopts a child, or marries into a family—doesn’t ring true enough. I have stopped thinking of MOTHER as a fixed identity—something you are or you are not and more of an energy all of us have inside of us—that we are either unleashing or not. Because don’t we all know mothers who have given birth to babies, but have never unleashed nurturing energy even for a moment? And don’t we know men and women and non-binary folks who have never given birth, and who spend every single day unleashing creative nurturing energy that gives birth to beautiful new things and nurtures existing things? I wrote in Untamed that the only person I ask for parenting advice is Liz Gilbert. First, because only people without kids are still sane enough to have clarity—but also because she Mothers me so well. It strikes me that an out of proportion number of women who are mothering the world in HUMONGOUS ways are women who choose not to (or cannot) raise children on their own. Because they had WIDER mothering to do: they knew they were born to use their mothering energy less like a laser and more like a floodlight.” – Glennon Doyle
What I’m focused on:
My sweet dog Penny suffered her second CCL tear on Monday, so I’ve been consumed with all that goes along with that this week. She had TPLO surgery to repair the ligament on Tuesday and we are now in the tedious recovery phase, for the fourth time in five years. Needless to say, Penny did not luck out in the gene pool, but if she’s taught me anything over the last 7 years, it’s that you gotta keep fighting, even when life knocks you down repeatedly.
I LOVE the Glennon Doyle quote. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
SO good. Glad you like it too. xo