A Summary of the Month’s Posts on Micro-Transformations I read through all of my posts backward, from Z back to A. My thoughts are well represented. I have transformed myself and continue to transform myself by taking small steps. And I’ve defined what I have to offer to help others to do the same, […]
Reflections on the Challenge Read More »
My schedule is full of Zoom meetings. Each has its own flavor. None is to be dreaded. Three years ago, when I last did the A to Z Challenge, I was just getting used to Zoom. It felt like a poor substitute for in-person meetings. Many people still feel that way, but I no
Z is for Zoom Meetings Read More »
The first class I took in the online Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University was called “Close Readings.” It was recommended as the first class because it was designed by the founder of the program, Dr. Rita Charon. We interacted closely with works of art: classic short pieces of literature, a Beatles song, and
Y is for Your Face Read More »
A famous Christian scripture (Matthew 6:21) says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In context, this means one should set aside worldly treasures for spiritual ones. But in a sort of reverse engineering, I have often thought that my treasure lay where my heart was. To find my treasure, I
Write Around the World is an annual fundraiser for Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA). The proceeds fund AWA’s social justice programs. Every May, trained writing facilitators volunteer to offer workshops. The goal is to reach those who may not be familiar with AWA’s supportive writing method. On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10 a.m.
Vipassana is a Pali word that translates as insight or mindfulness. For almost a year, I have been using an app on my phone and desktop to ground my day with a 10-minute guided vipassana meditation. If it interests you, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial. Or you can contact me
V Is for Vipassana Read More »
By a happy coincidence, I’m re-reading Gabriele Rico’s book Writing the Natural Way as I write about the unconscious mind. Or maybe it’s not a coincidence. At least part of my brain was aware that the letter U was coming up in the A to Z Challenge. I like how my unconscious can nudge
U is for Unconscious Read More »
It’s not like me to be sad or fearful for a long time. With age, experience, and mindfulness, I’ve learned to let go of negative emotions quickly, But things were different when I was in my medical training in 1990. There was an event that shook me for several weeks. I perpetuated my anguish
The A to Z Challenge interrupted my series of chapbook poems just before I came to the last poem in my chapbook, the one from which the title is taken. Here is the last of the previously published poems in the collection.
S is for Surrender Read More »
R is a letter with many sounds. Pronounced from the back of the throat, it’s a motor humming, a dog growling, a cat purring. When trilled with the tongue, it’s a snare drum. When made with the lips, it’s the wind whistling a tunnel or through a flute. R is for ritual. I’ve mentioned
