Category Archives: inspiration

Letting go of expectations during the holidays

Posted on December 8, 2011 by stillalife

After reading the Classic Peanuts comic strip in this morning’s paper I said to my husband, “Lucy is expressing my sentiments.” In this, she tells her brother she always wants to get her way and when he assures her this … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, inspiration, stress | 3 Comments

One helping of turkey and one of gratitude

Posted on November 23, 2011 by stillalife

Last Sunday my minister (sensei) shared memories of past Thanksgiving dinners with his relatives; one in particular always annoyed him.  He then told a story of a man who had gone on a hike through the woods to reach a … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, personal reflections | Leave a comment

“A wonderful lesson about life”

Posted on November 4, 2011 by stillalife

Themes from a book I just finished reading, a talk in church last Sunday, and a Japanese poem came together for me this week. The book is “Second Wind: one woman’s midlife quest to run seven marathons on seven continents,” … Continue reading →

Posted in books or movies, inspiration | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Think you’re multi-tasking? You’re wrong.

Posted on October 26, 2011 by stillalife

When I’m looking for advice or just something to write about, I turn to zenhabits.net, which I found through an article on dailygood.org.  The graphic design of zenhabits fits the blog’s name.  It’s spare and simple, consisting of black text on … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Savoring life…and chocolate

Posted on October 17, 2011 by stillalife

Imagine putting a square of chocolate in the middle of your tongue (preferably 71% cacao), feeling it gradually melt and spread to the edges of your tongue, to the roof of your mouth, and down your throat, where the aftertaste … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration | Tagged | 5 Comments

Getting the most from life

Posted on October 10, 2011 by stillalife

I have been savoring a fascinating book for the past month.  It’s called Rapt:  Attention and the Focused Life by Winifred Gallagher.  I know that it’s been a month, since it’s due back at the library tomorrow with 100 pages … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration | Tagged | 2 Comments

” All thru’ the day I, me, mine”

Posted on October 5, 2011 by stillalife

My last blog post was a tongue-in-cheek piece about using a rubber bracelet as a tool to change a habit.  I quoted author Brother David Stendl-Rast from his article “Not Complaining,” in the journal Thirty Thousand Days. Interestingly, something Brother David … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration | Tagged | 1 Comment

Poker faces don’t age well

Posted on September 15, 2011 by stillalife

When I was younger I felt certain that sadness and aging were companions united in a conspiracy to ruin the last years of a life.  After all, everyone I knew in their sixties and older experienced aches, couldn’t play sports … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, inspiration | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Acting as if there were no future

Posted on September 13, 2011 by stillalife

“…25% of our happiness depends on our ability to manage stress,” says researcher Robert Epstein.  He bases this conclusion on surveys of “3,000 participants in the U.S. and 29 other countries” and suggests we should be “fighting stress before it even starts, … Continue reading →

Posted in books or movies, inspiration, personal reflections | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Two passions, two jobs

Posted on August 27, 2011 by stillalife

I’m intrigued by people who live double lives.  I’m not talking about secret agents or cartoon characters like Clark Kent, aka Superman.  I’m referring to people who hold challenging day jobs they love, while also following an artistic passion on … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, personal reflections | Tagged , | 2 Comments