Dec. 31, 2021 - With this being the last day of the year, there is a lot of time spent on analyzing the past and thinking about how to make the future better. The problem with that is right now is lost. We have just finished another COVID year spent with a lot of uncertainty...but, we made it t...

Dec. 30, 2021 - This morning I took a 5 minute COLD shower...it was intense! My whole body was alive, and I noticed the back of my neck is particularly susceptible to the cold. After the cold part, I stayed in the shower another 10 minutes to warm it. What a way to start the day!

The thing a...

Dec. 29, 2021 - Something great about yoga and that we are often reminded to "make it our own practice." The instructor is leading things, but you are in charge. I see how really what that idea is about is that when you practice, you want to be connected to who you are...and, because most of wh...

Dec. 28, 2021 - This is an appropriate moment to look back on 2021 and find the good. Of course, just like every year, there were things that weren't that good...but, I think it's ok to focus on only the good sometimes, to remind yourself there always is good to find. And, maybe you could leav...

Dec. 27, 2021 - We watched a philosophy "Masterclass" last night from Cornel West. A general theme that he was talking about is being humble, and how philosophy, along with other means, can remind you that you aren't that important in the universal sense...so why not leave "a bit of love behind" ...

Dec. 24, 2021 - Today I was thinking back to when I was a kid at Christmas. I have five older brothers, and we grew up in a big house with high ceilings. For Christmas we would have a huge tree, with tinsel and tons of lights or ornaments. It was total magic.

On Christmas morning all of the b...

Dec. 23, 2021 - I finally finished the book I've been reading, "The Extended Mind." The final thing the author said about extending the mind is how groups are really helpful. One particular thing she said, which relates to yoga, is the power of doing synchronous movement at the same time as oth...

Dec. 22, 2021 - For many people that struggle a bit with the darkness of winter (like myself), there is enthusiasm after Winter Solstice because everyone says, "The days are getting longer!!" Well, I hate to break it to you, but really, we are in somewhat of a holding pattern at the moment. The...

Dec. 20, 2021 - Last night my wife and I watched two inspiring documentaries - "Sky Ladder" and "14 Peaks." Sky Ladder is about an artist who has a vision to build a "ladder" to the heavens, and 14 Peaks is about a climber who wants to climb the 14 highest peaks in the world in record time.

Eve...

Dec. 17, 2021 - In reading the book, "The Extended Mind," the author talks about the idea of remembering ourselves, and how we need reminders to remember who we are. She states that we are "strong" and easily stay connected to our self, but isn't actually true, it takes practice. We need reminder...

Dec. 14, 2021 - Over this weekend I took a plane trip to Colorado, with a stop over in Chicago. Sadly, the plane was delayed in Vermont, and by the time I got to Chicago, it was too late to catch a connecting flight...so I had to spend four extra hours in the Chicago Airport. I figured I'd set...

Dec. 16, 2021 - I heard an interview with Jane Goodall yesterday. She was talking about how hope is the light at the end of the tunnel, but it doesn't come to you...you need to walk toward it. She didn't say this, but I think something that helps you walk toward hope is gratitude. If you are e...

Dec. 15, 2021 - After getting back from traveling, I'm tired. It takes a lot of energy to travel, see people, be "on." It's nice to be home and to let down my effort a bit, and be here. A nice mantra to help with that experience of being home is "I am here," reminding yourself you made it...you...

Dec. 8, 2021 - Growing up we were forever trying to get the best reception for our TV. My dad would come home with a variety of different “rabbit ears” antennas that would help in the quest. But, then someone figured out…before the internet…that wrapping aluminum foil around the rabbit ears wor...

Dec. 2, 2021 - Yesterday a student shared a new song with me from Courtney Barnett - "Write a List of Things to Look Forward To". I like the song, but I like the title even more. Like most people, I've made gratitude lists and thought of things I'm grateful for, but I have to admit, I've never ...

Dec 6, 2021 - Over the weekend the yoga training at UVM had the opportunity to see cadavers and learn more about bodies, from the inside out. It was amazing!

And then, after the cadaver experience, a group of us went to Lake Champlain for a dip in December water...just to remind ourselves tha...

Dec. 7, 2021 - I am reading a book right now called "The External Mind...The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain." In the chapter I am currently listening to it is talking about the idea of "interoception." As the author describes it, "interoception is nothing more than the feeling of being al...

Dec. 9, 2021 - I continue to learn new lessons from my current book, "The Extended Mind." The most recent thing is how helpful it is for the mind to be moving the body, whether it's just a little are super vigorously. The author mentions the value of all kinds of movement...from running a marat...

Dec. 21, 2021 - Today is Winter Solstice for where I live in Vermont. I'm doing my best to improve my relationship with the winter...well, winter doesn't bother me that much, it's the darkness. So, I found a poem about darkness that the class is based on today:

To Know the Dark by Wendell Berr...

Dec. 1, 2021 - I'm feeling amped today!! I have made a connection with some people I knew in Laramie, Wyoming 30 years ago. We are new friends of Facebook. It's fun to think about me 30 years ago, and what possibility felt like, and an un-charted forward path.

Sometimes I forget that feeling o...