Mindful Smack Archives

Recently I learned about “archetypes” from a dear friend who wanted to teach me how not to take things so personally. What a gift. Early in my understanding; already there’s a shift in the way I see everything and everyone. Once you know, factually, about the planets and forces that predispose those closest to you [...]

How do we know how to apologize when were never taught? We practice a deft combination of Grace and Wisdom. Wisdom is what must be said, what you must ask, and what you must own; Grace is HOW you say what must be said, ask what must be asked, own what you must own. From [...]

Christina Sell, author and Certified Anusara® yoga teacher, quotes John Friend in her newly released book, My Body is A Temple, an outstanding source for any yoga practitioner or teacher. In his teaching, John often talks about becoming more sensitive, more attuned, so that we can invite the highest possible flow of energy into our [...]

We all have within us the dark, doubting inner dialogue. This is about creating a state of attention to override that conversation. It’s crazy how distracting it can be, but when we’re able to stay connected to ourselves in a supportive and nourishing way, without being swayed by this internal talk, we are able to [...]

Happiness is not an aim, it’s a byproduct of your clarity and your consistency. Don’t go reaching for happiness; it’s elusive and fleeting and you cannot grab it. What you CAN do is be consistent, and learn how to create the conditions for trusting yourself by keeping your word and cultivating your integrity. That integrity, [...]

Sisterhood, plain and simple. Women, get out there and do or say something empowering, positive or uplifting to another woman, especially if she intimidates you. Men, pass this on to the ladies you love. Let’s shift the resonance of competition in the world and create freedom from competitiveness together in our daily acts of support [...]

Every time we label our emotion by saying “I am __(insert any emotion here)__,” we imprint that emotion onto our bodies, onto our cells. “I am angry, happy, sad, pleased, frustrated,” etc. That stays with us until internally we say we’re something different. Instead, see the fleeting emotions and GREET them rather than letting them [...]

The first paragraph of Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts, teaches us to discern between hate and forgiveness, no matter what the circumstance. “It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me [...]

This week I’ve had the most ridiculous struggle – and exhilarating success – simply staying OPEN. I was presented with a conversation including feedback that was excruciating to hear. Finally I opened myself, I listened, I repeated it back, and there was healing. The meaning of staying “open,” in this context: listening instead of reacting, [...]

“The less reactive you are, the more magnetic you become.” Internal reactivity included. Eye-rolling drains your magnetism, even if nobody sees it but you. Road rage of any kind – internally or externally expressed – same. Even when someone else is talking to you and you’re already formulating a response, that’s a reaction too. It [...]