Left Brain Buddha

the modern mindful life

Five Research-Based Practices That Make You Happier

Five Research-Based Practices That Make You Happier

I think it's pretty amazing that we live in a world where there are researchers who devote themselves entirely to the study of the things that make us happy. What practices bring us joy? How do we craft a meaningful life? For much of its history, psychology focused on...

Mindful Moments for Busy Moms

Mindful Moments for Busy Moms

The On-Demand Mom As moms, we rarely get much of a break. It seems our children instinctively know when we get on the phone or finally sit down in the bathroom and that's when the cries of "Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!" begin. Even when we're not home, they manage to find ways...

The REAL Guidance You Need From Your GPS

The REAL Guidance You Need From Your GPS

When I make a wrong turn, kind GPS-lady quickly recalculates my route, and gently gives directions to get me back on track. In the meantime, I discover a street or a park or a beautiful tree I had never seen before.

We make mistakes. But there’s always a way to recover. And always something to discover.

There are no wrong turns…

Let’s Not Make Today “Most Days”

Let’s Not Make Today “Most Days”

There may not be much in the news right now that’s making you smile, but you have, right now, the gift of a new day, of another twenty-four hours. What will you do with them? How will you be in the world today?

When the World Breaks Your Heart

When the World Breaks Your Heart

When the world breaks our heart, the “easy” response is to want to break the world right back. To blame, to scapegoat, to demand revenge. But I think practicing mindfulness means we’ve accepted the challenge to help heal the world.

“I like mindfulness. I just don’t DO it.”

“I like mindfulness. I just don’t DO it.”

My 10-year-old daughter said that to me in the car the other day. "I like mindfulness. I just don't do it." "What do you mean?" I asked her. "Well, it sounds great -- being calm and breathing and everything -- but I just don't actually, you know, DO it," she...

The Most Important Thing About Self-Care for Mothers

The Most Important Thing About Self-Care for Mothers

I talk a lot about self-care for mothers in my work. And I find it so interesting that when I read articles for women (mothers, in particular) about self-care, the recommendations are often things like, "Pamper yourself! Go get a manicure! Take a bubble bath!" Do I...