Many are not feeling ok right now.

So much pain and hardship in the practice of medicine right now.

Sending love and compassion to each and every one of my colleagues in medicine.

My to-do list became a birthday list or a “gift” to myself list.

Next week is my birthday and what I most wanted I realized when I listened to my heart- was to NOT have a lot of stuff on my to-do list. To declutter the to-do list.

To have the peace and freedom that would come from having it done.

So I changed my to-do list- to a birthday list.

One I would do FOR ME as a gift.

What if you stopped waiting for something or sometime in the future and instead started living your life more fully today? Even in the midst of who knows what, what if you chose to make all 7 days of your week extraordinary in some way —right now? What if you intentionally experienced some true joy and connection in each one? What if you decided to be better together? With all the people in your life? This work is the preventive care for a happy, healthy, connected, and joyful life and relationships.

Sometimes life throws out a lot of swirl.

And pausing and being present in the swirl is part of the journey.

Rushing to solve and fix and decide is tempting but it often means you miss the offered lesson and growth.

Using attention intention and a soft mindful focus, I fully experienced and savored every moment. I noticed and appreciated every flower, view, and green rolling hill. I sat on so many perfectly placed rocks.

I had the best vacation this week. I say this not to brag. But to share the secret. And to my dear family who reads this please don’t take offense. It is a reflection on being human and my own evolution...not on any of you.

Another yoga thing… AND, as usual, it applies to life off your mat.

Feeling hope and peace inspires me into action. Opens my brain to creativity

My heart to connection. Tapping into hope, peace, connection and inner wisdom is what led to my transformation.

It led to choices that reflected hope. Of a life not yet seen.

Life is not perfect by any means - that is not how it is supposed to be.

I like to call it “mostly good.”

“Mostly good” allows my brain to relax and enjoy the ride.

Getting help was never an easy thing for me. And I expect for many of you.

My mind likes to tell me I “should” be able to do it myself. That self-sufficiency is a measure of strength and adequacy.

Take a stand for who you want to be in your relationships. I want to be mindful, intentional and someone I am proud of.

What’s in our control is how we show up for this moment and for each other.

How do you want to show up? With love. With presence. Perhaps even with joy when possible.

Our unmanaged minds, our not mindful minds, habitually see what is not working and what is problematic. Especially physician minds. It’s part of our training to see what’s wrong and where we fall short rather than where we have been and what we have accomplished.

Mindfully noticing and being aware of our wins, good things, and celebrating them trains our brains to see what IS working. And it brings joy and connection and positivity.

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. The world needs people who have come alive."

A year ago was the first day for me of choosing a different path. One that veered in a different direction.

What if you stopped asking yourself what if something bad happens or doesn’t go as expected?

And instead chose questions that inspire a better-lived life and more loving and connected relationships.