Summer is slowly leaning towards fall, school is already in full swing, the days are growing noticeably shorter, and I am settling in to habits and routines that I put in motion weeks and, in some cases, months ago in a deeper, more meaningful way. Even more so than New Year's, the

Auto-pilot is something you, like most of us, are probably good at. Like, really good at. You usually eat these kinds of foods, get about that much sleep, have those kinds of conversations with the family and friends that have surrounded you for a while. You don't have to think about

Your body has a way of showing you exactly what is going on with you...if you listen to your life.

Sometimes we come at self-connection and self-improvement with our minds and forget the messages our bodies hold for us. Some people need to slow down and pay closer attention, some

We are information people. We know more, research quickly, can gather data or videos or headlines in mere seconds. We are inundated with messages we don’t even want. We are overstimulated by facts and news and marketing.

{And so are you.}

They say, “practice makes perfect.” Whatever you’re practicing, you’re getting good at, if not perfect. And that could be playing the piano or poker or growing gorgeous tomatoes or shooting

Your physical body has an entire system devoted to its wellbeing, caretaking, and overall protection. Your immune system doesn't need any attention or encouragement from you to do its thing, it just hums along organically and smoothly. As if that weren't enough, you are lucky

First, a couple definitions:

Authentic joy - actions and choices that you take freely, and that serve you now and in a few weeks, months, years; an emotion based in deep contentment and satisfaction, comfort and

In anything you practice {yoga or parenting or, y'know, life} there is a North Star. The full form of the pose; full patience and presence with your children; showing up, grounded and authentic and open. These stars are firm directions on the compass of your soul. How you navigate is up to a

She hurt my feelings.

{No she didn't...you had a thought about what she said or did that created your hurt feelings.}

He's to blame for what went wrong there.

Operating from a place where your feet are buried in the normal, expected, obligated, regular, same ol', same ol' leaves your arms flailing, your words shouted into space, your mind reeling.

This is a painful way to go about your life.

There's a lot of talk these days about self-love. I believe the idea of self-love is misrepresented and maybe {you be the judge} overrated. Here's why...

The less famous sister of self-love is self-connection. The definition of connection is to join, to

Generally speaking, we tend to hold on to the idea that: Busy is good. Busy is expected. Busy is noble.

Underneath that idea is a belief that probably goes something like: Busy means I'm worthwhile.

...and *better* is the foundation where you can start to make your unique "rules to live by". Let me explain.

We humans like labels. Preferably either/or labels where we can toss things in one pile or another

You could: stay small, think it but not say it, keep the habit, not question the belief, go along with it, let the expectations/obligations/guilt come on in, play by the rules, turn around, let your head crowd out your heart, ignore your gut, sleep in.

In our rushing around and stressing out and worrying over and panic creating, we fall into ruts. Go on auto-pilot and zone out. Lose all presence and awareness. Fall into deep belief with our thoughts.