While I was going through the motions of getting my degree, I frequently suffered many a night where I would just lie there. Not sleeping. Not thinking. Just waiting for the alarm to ring so that I might get up and do it all over again. Exhausted.

Along my progression of mindful living, I have discovered a few things that have in the last several months, led me to sleep soundly and deeply.

It takes courage and maturity to recognize when something isn’t right for you.

Change is frightening, and sometimes we take comfort in just keeping the status quo. However, as much as it’s frightening, stagnation can require much more energy from you than putting forth the effort to not only DECIDE what you want, but then to ACT and GET what you want.

I am a completely flawed human being. I boldly and frequently make mistakes. I have outgrown the attitude of perfectionism as an ideal. I have in turn resorted to bravely standing out, doing the best I can with what I’ve got. When I do not make the best decisions, I graciously encourage the people I’ve surrounded myself with the opportunity to teach me a better way. The fact is that I don’t know everything. However, as a human race, collectively, I believe that we have retained everything that we have learned throughout “time.” If I can tap into the resources which define all human knowledge, then I’ll be a great deal smarter than before I started.

Sometimes the only way to reach your goal is to have faith.

This applies to relationships, careers, living situations, and more. Got to have faith that what you’re throwing out there is a line that will catch your meal– even if no fish are in sight, and line is somewhat fragile.

You have to take risks. Have faith. Trust that you know what you’re doing.

A series of days in which my mind has been filled with the fog of worry and anxiety… a battle of my internal wits throwing out euphemisms and cliches and proverbs in an attempt to guide my thoughts… Thoughts become things… Physical reality or spiritual reality or mentality or psychology or…??

These last several years have provided a myriad of opportunities for me to become more emotionally healthy. I have learned confidence and enough about my own psychology to understand my moods, to recognize my cycles, and to become more in tune with my body. I have a remedial knowledge of health and wellness, and a connection with the entire consciousness that allows me to pull from the correct directions when I need to know more.

Dearest Ash,
My kids are so rotten.  They’re totally hyper and like to break whatever rules I give.  Here’s an example:  I told them to pick up their rooms, and instead of picking it up, they go in there and play with their stuff.  They’re in first and third grade. I yell, and I threaten to [...]

Here is a little secret:
Your life can be anything you want it to be.
For a huge clump of folks, this sounds like a great big lie.  You’ll rebutt, “But I can’t just quit my job!  I have bills to pay!  I can’t just do some sort of Hocus Pocus mojo and turn my spouse into [...]

I like the notion that everything we know to be, even that which we do not know, is part of the same song.
Much like an orchestra, every single piece of our experience is an instrument to our inner song.  Our different roles in life are, for instance, the string section.  Our actions are the piano. [...]

Linum usitatissimum

Flax seeds

Flax seed tea

A source of essential fatty acids, which help with hormonal troubles, heart disease, and cancer.  Is a source of fiber, which helps relieve constipation.  Mucilaginous, which helps sooth and protect swollen or irritated membranes of the digestive tract.  Helps with diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Seems to help regulate hormones.
May ease [...]