“The world you see is just a movie in your mind.Rocks don’t see it.Bless and sit down.Forgive and forget.Practice kindness all day to everybodyand you will realize you’re alreadyin heaven now.That’s the story.That’s the message.Nobody understands it,nobody listens, they’reall running around like chickens with heads cutoff. I will try to teach it but it willbe… Read More Food Poem – Jack Kerouac
On this first day of Novemberit is cold as a cave,the sky the colorof neutral third parties.I am cutting carrotsfor the chicken soup.Knife against carrotagain and againsends a plop of penniesinto the pan.These cents,when held to the gray light,hold no noble president,only stillsof some kaleidoscopecaught being pensive…and beautiful,in the eye of this beholder,who did not… Read More Food Poem – Monday by Cindy Gregg
Next time you feel burdened by your slowness, call your daughter by your son’s name, catch yourself repeating stories or wonder if it will be your last time on a long road trip, embrace the chance to rediscover yourself. When you do, you may see your character shine, as your story sparkles bright through the… Read More Blooming Character: 12 Advantages of Aging
Body is something you need in order to stayon this planet and you only get one.And no matter which one you get, it will notbe satisfactory. It will not be beautifulenough, it will not be fast enough, it willnot keep on for days at a time, but willpull you down into a sleepy swamp anddemand… Read More Food Poem: Living in the Body by Joyce Sutphen
Three months ago I launched an online life-consulting practice: The Self-Curious Project. In this short time, I had at least 50 meaningful and honest conversations that taught me more than any academic program. So many questions worth exploring: how do I not feel anxious about moving far from home? how do I make friends and… Read More Invitation to “know thyself”
My father taught me how to eat breakfastthose mornings when it was my turn to helphim milk the cows. I loved rising up from the darkness and coming quietly downthe stairs while the others were still sleeping.I’d take a bowl from the cupboard, a spoon from the drawer, and slip into the pantrywhere he was… Read More Food Poem: Breakfast by Joyce Sutphen
Feeling rushed by obligations and buried in chaos? Morning space and time may help you set a confident pace for your day. Crafting mindful mornings is an art that needs intentional space for full expression. As a loss and life adjustment consultant trained in architecture and philosophy here is how I make room for my… Read More Making space for mindful time in 3 simple steps
The Beautiful Sandwich She could always makethe most beautiful sandwich.Laced swiss cheese: slicedcrossways, folded once.Ham in rolls like sleeping bags.Turkey piled like shirts.Tarragon. Oregano. Pepper.Herb dill mayonnaise the color ofskin. On top: the thin, wandering line ofmustardlike a contour on a mapin a thin, flat drawer.Or a single, lost vein.The poppyseeds hold on,for now. Placed… Read More Food Poem by Brad Ricca
The weeks leading up the U.S. election and following have been … uncomfortable. There is fear, distrust and hate all around. My readers know that I am a Muslim-immigrant South Asian woman married to a Caucasian man with two brown daughters and two white, working as a therapist in small community mental health facility in… Read More In Defense of Discomfort
Recently, the above uncertainty stirred things up in the therapy room a few times. As usual, I didn’t have the answer. How do I endure and balance the restlessness for more with a sense of innate worthiness and abundance? How do I know I’m doing enough? How do I know I am enough? Everything is… Read More Am I ambitious or never good enough?
The Hungry Philosopher 