There's a tension between standing up for what is right, unapologetically and strongly, and the need to "meet people where they are" to have a productive dialogue and, frankly, to having the best chance to change their minds. The first works well for policy changes, the second better interpersonally. I don't have much to say … Continue reading Changing policies, changing minds
Diane and I recorded a new podcast episode exploring the relationship between happiness and pleasure. I really like how Martin Seligman, one of the creators of the field of positive psychology, characterizes happiness: an overall state, the arc of a life that includes more positively-valenced feelings than negatively-valenced feelings. AOV Episode 24: Happiness/Pleasure The three … Continue reading Happiness and the meaningful life, and how Hawaii both helps and hurts (new-ish AOV episode)
Lifting update: I'm still seeing improvements and am consistently getting my strength back, a little at a time. Slow and steady works! Aaaaaand onto thoughts... On Tuesday Diane and I published a podcast episode on shame/guilt, and it was such a satisfying one to record because I struggle so much with shame. As such, I … Continue reading In-Between Thoughts 2.13.19 — strengthening others against shame
Finally shredding some of that holiday/prolonged guests-and-playing-and-eating-like-a-tourist fluff! Very slowly. Because #wine and #cheese and #carbs are too beautiful to forswear entirely. But I definitely had some wonderful times and eats the last few months, and those memories and times make me happy, just as getting back into my regular shape is making me happy. … Continue reading In-Between Thoughts 1.28.18: Creating environments
What is this stinky place with all the weird machines and sticks and rubber plates and people in tight pants? What is a "deadlift" and why is everything so stupid and so heavy? It has been almost one month since my last legs day and two weeks since my last upper body session. I can … Continue reading In-Between Thoughts 12.17.18 – grace in relationships
Lately I've been working to learn how to sit with the big sorrows of my life. Some of my sorrows are not fixable. They are permanent parts of my life (though with differing intensities), they stay with me, and in some instances even partially define my life and my sense of self. I'm not always … Continue reading Sitting with sorrows
I was thinking today how uninterested I am in reading a lot of theology at the moment and what a huge shift this is in my intellectual appetite. I used to LOVE theology and used to read it almost exclusively. When I was in college, I wanted to be a modern, female C.S. Lewis (until … Continue reading Intellectual appetites
One of the best and worst parts of being a highly-sensitive person is how I "absorb" the emotions or vibe of the room and company I'm in. If someone I'm taking to is sad, I feel that sadness in a vivid, though not-quite-first-person way. If someone is anxious, my blood pressure tends to rise a … Continue reading HSP lightbulb moment
Just a little thought for the day. I love classical music. Medieval, Baroque, Classical (with a capital C), Romantic, and some Modern/Contemporary. I gravitate most towards the Romantic and Classical. They feed my soul. They help ease my anxiety and make me feel much more centered and present. Since I've been back at graduate school, … Continue reading Thoughts on study music
I have three books that I want to finish from last semester. I read parts of them for class or for papers, but didn't have time to read them in full. They are excellent books and deserve to be finished. I mean, look at them: Self/No Self? A collection of essays on the self/no self … Continue reading Learning is awesome, dammit
