Jan20
Posted on Jan 20 by Ruth Davis
There is such a push in this society to always be doing more, staying busy, increasing sales, growing your lists….. and it can be exhausting. But if we slow down or take a break, we’re called lazy or unproductive. Finding a balance between doing and being takes constant practice. Some days I do it much better than others. And sometimes I end up off the spectrum, thinking I’ll never find that balance again. I know that I’m idling. I know why I am idling. I even know what I need to do to kick it into drive. But until I’m able to take that action, I’m being kind and gentle with myself, and breathing. And so last week, I returned to my beloved yoga class, to familiar faces, to the clean bamboo floors, the silver air ducts, the ceilings hidden behind sheets of white linings that make me think of long spools of white butcher paper. And after hugs and quick updates, I rolled out my mat, perfectly aligned it with the edge of the floor boards, then I...
Jan13
Posted on Jan 13 by Ruth Davis
When I was in my 20’s I imagined that I would be the next Great American Writer. I sat at my portable electric Royal typewriter every day, inventing stories about people, documenting my observations, journaling ideas for my first great novel. One afternoon a friend said to me, “Why do you bother? There are no new ideas. Everything’s already been said.” Now, she was an important person in my life, and very smart–– her IQ was high enough to join the Mensa Society–– and so I believed her. And I stopped writing. Twenty years later I took a deep breath and signed up for a creative writing class with an amazing teacher who encouraged my writing, challenged my skills and inspired me to write deeper and better. One day in class she said, “There are no new ideas.” My heart sank to my knees. No, not again. And then she finished her sentence. “And so it’s your job as a writer to come up with new ways to say things so that people can see it fresh. New.” There was...
Dec23
Posted on Dec 23 by Ruth Davis
Every year I choose a single word as a compass, a guide, a solid reminder of what I want to manifest for myself. The word serves as a touchstone for me as I make choices through the year. I post the word in my bathroom and acknowledge it daily, asking myself “how can I be that today?” The first year I chose the word BE. Because I was always planning, dreaming and imagining the future, I was rarely present where I was. BE-ing was very uncomfortable. It made me slow down and experience where I was, not where I wanted to be NEXT. It made me sit still and feel my emotions. I began a yoga practice and discovered that the simple act of breathing can calm me and bring me back to the here and now. The next year my word was VULNERABILITY. I wanted to let go of control and open to things that I didn’t have the answers to. I was ready to feel what was uncomfortable and go even deeper. I had so many opportunities...
Dec08
Posted on Dec 8 by Ruth Davis
This time of the year is all about the light. Chanukah is the Festival of Lights, commemorating the miracle of how the candles in the temple burned for eight nights, even though there was only enough oil to last for for one. Houses are decked in holiday lights. And Jesus was born under the light of the star of Bethlehem. But in nature, this is the darkest time of the year. And so we have to go inward to find our own light. If we’re feeling confident, creative, appreciated, it’s pretty easy to tap into our own glowing goodness. We radiate love and compassion, for ourselves and others. And our shining light reflects on another person, creating an even bigger light. But what about those other moments when sadness, frustration, even hopelessness overwhelm us? Even if your light is not roaring in radiant flame, it is still burning. It may be just a tiny glow of an ember, but it is a spark for hope. It may be a faint flicker but it is alight because you are alive....
Dec08
Posted on Dec 8 by Ruth Davis
I love listening to my friends share their holiday traditions. It’s fun to learn about the old family favorites and especially the ones they’ve invented and created in recent years. Traditions are often customs and beliefs passed down from one generation to the next. Sometimes we don’t even remember why we do it, or when the tradition started. This year, I invite you to create at least one new tradition for yourself or your family. It might be enjoying a new food at your holiday meal. Or going on an outing. Or volunteering your time. Not sure how to come up with a new tradition? Ask your friends what they do. Ask your kids what they’d like to do. Here are a few prompts to help you think about the traditions you follow. Every year, I ……………. I do it because …………… This year, I am doing it a little differently. Instead of or, in addition to……………….. I am ……….. I’d love to read your ideas. Please share them by clicking the Comments link...
Dec01
Posted on Dec 1 by Ruth Davis
Most of us love to give. There’s the thrill of finding that perfect something for someone, the fun of wrapping it, the joy of watching them open it with anticipation and delight. You know that great pleasure you feel when they are so happy with what they are receiving. So if giving is so joyful and wonderful, why is receiving so difficult for some of us? I don’t mean just receiving a tangible gift. Many of us are uncomfortable receiving a compliment, a pat on the back, a kind word about who we are. My friend Joy works out at the gym, is happily taking care of her physical body. One day I commented on how slender and fit she looks. Instead of saying thank you, she minimized the compliment by saying “oh, black jeans just make you look thinner.” Why is receiving a kind word so uncomfortable for some of us? The other day I was having lunch at a favorite Thai restaurant. Two women, obviously friends, were sitting at the next table. I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping on...
