Comments for Minding Your Stress

Comment on Stop “Should”ing on Yourself by David Jensen

David Jensen — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:49:10 +0000

Good to see that Arleen freed herself from the tyranny of should. But she slipped into another, even more terrifying tyranny — The Tyranny of Lists. Now she will have lists overflowing her desk, her pockets, the refrigerator door, the dash on her car, the bathroom mirror and who knows where else. I speak from personal knowledge on both accounts, having fought the dreaded demons of “should” and “lists” to perhaps what might be called a draw. But battle always ebbs and flows. The only way to escape them both is move on to — gasp! — The Tryanny of Accomplishment. Perform a task, dust those baseboards, pay those taxes, call the brother (even if he is an ungrateful wretch). And cross them off the list. Jump up and shout, “Victory!!!” And couple it with an exuberant “Wahoo!”

Comment on 8 Reasons For Business People to Meditate by Natascha Thomson

Natascha Thomson — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:03:54 +0000

Fantastic blog, Julie!

Thanks for taking the time to write and share. My yoga/meditation class also read your blog and said they really enjoyed it.

I still benefit from taking your MBSR class a few years back; it really changed my life and got me on a better path.

Thank you, you are a wonderful person,

Natascha

Comment on Taming the Monsters by kirk welton

kirk welton — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:36:56 +0000

great thoughts, nice to have the nudge to be in the moment and to breathe. thank you! good quotes, too.

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Julie Forbes

Julie Forbes — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 02:27:51 +0000

Yes, we are ultimately making changes to our brain when we practice mindfulness with deliberation! We can lower our reactivity by making that choice.
With Much Metta,
Julie

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Colleen Mizuki

Colleen Mizuki — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:56:37 +0000

Julie,

Thank you for reminding us of the gifts offered by our fears. This is a difficult, but rewarding, path to take. Like all new paths, this one gets easier the more we choose it, though. I love this poem by Rumi (which I was introduced to for the first time in your class) and am glad you brought it into this post.

Our brains have evolved to respond quickly to threat, thus producing fear…that has kept us alive. [It is interesting that the same brain regions appear to be activated when we experience physical pain as those when we experience social pain.] The trick is to be aware of this natural response and to not, as you eloquently say, let it overpower us.

Mindfulness is key.

Thanks,

Colleen

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Julie Forbes

Julie Forbes — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:14:20 +0000

The feeling is mutual Esther With Metta, Julie

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Esther Roberts

Esther Roberts — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:10:09 +0000

Julie, what can I say? Thank you so much–

Sending warmest thoughts your way and take care,

Esther

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Julie Forbes

Julie Forbes — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:34:42 +0000

Esther, to notice your vulnerability and your discouragement shows a significant level of awareness. It can be daunting and can bring up self-judgment and doubt. If you can continue to try to meet these challenges with some friendliness (I know that is a difficult request and takes courage) you may find a way to minimize the discouragement, as you pointed out, and reduce the self-judgment. They don’t serve you in moving forward. I believe you are moving in the best direction for taking effective action. Bravo!

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Julie Forbes

Julie Forbes — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:31:14 +0000

Nancy, I love the children’s book that you mention, Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly. You had shown it to me in the past. I hope that some readers of this blog check it out as a way to meet their own monsters in a gentle way

Comment on Nowhere to Run; Nowhere to Hide by Esther Roberts

Esther Roberts — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:42:00 +0000

I did not know that Julie had been doing this blog, and am delighted to find it!

I have felt especially aware of my shortcomings lately, and today brought one up in an embarrassing way which left me feeling vulnerable and discouraged. Sometimes the “sum of them all” can seem daunting relative to the rest of me.

So in that context, to read this lovely reminder to look with a gentle heart at our fears warmed my spirit. I felt I could look at my faults and challenges with less discouragement, and take a “steady on” approach to dealing with what I face right now.

I think seeing myself with a kind heart can lift fear, and help move me to take effective action. Thanks Julie for sharing this!