Posts

(Video) What Is Draining You, What Is Feeding You?
Mindfulness, NewsletterI've been talking to a lot of friends and clients who are reflecting on how best to use their energy this year. Our energy or our life force--which includes our innate gifts and learned skills --is precious. It’s the currency that allows…

Do You Have Your Own Back (& why this matters)?
Newsletter, support systemThe week before final exams my freshman year in college, my healthy, 44-year-old dad had a massive heart attack. I was devastated. But what saddens me as I look back on that rough time, is that I didn’t reach out for support. Other than sharing…

Learning this skill changed my life
Newsletter, support systemThe week before final exams my freshman year in college, my healthy, 44-year-old dad had a massive heart attack. I was devastated (as was my entire family). But what really saddens me as I look back on that rough time, was that I didn’t reach…

Are you over-managing your life?
Mindfulness, Newsletter"Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on." ― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose When my son was in middle school I became really tired of juggling and always trying…

When in doubt, do nothing
Mindfulness, NewsletterWhen I was in junior high school and my mom was driving me crazy, one of the ways for us to find connection was through shopping for clothes. I have many memories of standing with her in a boutique or big box department store contemplating whether…

3 questions to help you feel freer (+ end suffering)
MindfulnessLast month I received some news that was quite painful. But in the week that followed, my thoughts around what had occurred were downright tortuous. Until, in a Nia dance class, I heard my Wise Self say loud and clear, “Renee, don’t create more pain for yourself than is necessary.” This stopped me in my tracks. It helped me to realize my role in what was happening.

Are you nurturing your friendships (+why you should)?
emotional self-care, NewsletterThe other night I spent an evening with a dear friend who is my soft place to fall. She encourages me to show up messy, tender and fully myself. She sees my creativity and generosity AND my tendency to be controlling and too goal-oriented. All…

How often do you abandon yourself?
Newsletter, Self-CareOnce while facilitating a women's retreat at Esalen, I shared my definition of self-care with the group: the art of attuning and responding to your needs and desires moment to moment. Then I asked the circle, "Do you feel safe with yourself?"

7 tips for staying sane this holiday season
emotional self-care, NewsletterMy brother and sister-in-law cancelled Christmas. Not really. But they did make the choice to postpone hosting a large family gathering because they just don't have the extra energy to pull this off. I get it. And, I'm hearing stories just like…

Pause. Are you honoring your journey?
Mindfulness, NewsletterAfter experiencing waves of COVID-related grief and loss (I miss traveling for work and teaching terribly!), I woke up last Friday morning, looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "Wow, you've aged. Look at those circles under your eyes;…

Pause. Are you honoring your journey?
Mindfulness, NewsletterAfter experiencing waves of COVID-related grief and loss (I miss traveling for work and teaching terribly!), I woke up last Friday morning, looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "Wow, you've aged. Look at those circles under your eyes;…

Connection = good medicine. Are you getting yours?
emotional self-care, NewsletterI recently led a virtual work-life balance retreat for a group of women leaders. At the end of the day, a participant reached out to and tearfully shared, “I had no idea how badly I needed that. Not just the connection with other women, but…