Meditation Basics

Meditation Basics: How to Start A Meditation Practice

In August, I posted an article on how to calm the “monkey mind” during meditation. The article explored the chatter that often happens while entering into a meditative state.  It offered tips on how to alleviate the mind’s chatter. After posting the article, several readers reached out to me stating they didn’t understand how to start a meditation, forget worrying about the …

Healthy Meals for the Kids - Four Directions Wellness

Healthy Meals for the Kids

Meals can feel like a struggle with children today. Kids are marketed to directly today via mobile devices, television and YouTube video advertising, and even with product placement in movies and cartoons. This creates a delicate tug-of-war between parents (you) and brands vying to get your kids to eat what you believe is best and foods they want to sell …

Mindfulness Mondays: Staying in the Present

Mindfulness Mondays happens every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at Four Directions Wellness.  At noon, people from the community join at the office for an hour of complimentary meditation and inner reflection.  All are welcome! This is Boring! As you were reading that first paragraph, you might have found that you were thinking – “this is boring.”  Or …

Entering into the Silence…

“He who attempts to act and do things for others or for the world without deepening his own self-understanding, freedom, integrity and capacity to love, will not have anything to give others.”   Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action The other day I held a meditation group at the office. In advance of the group meeting, I planned …

Creating Quality Time with the Family - Four Directions Wellness

Creating Quality Time with the Family

When you look at most parents’ personal calendars, you see all the children’s activities filling up their personal time. As a parent, it can feel daunting. And, it can give you a false sense that you are providing a great deal of attention toward your children. Often, the time you are giving is administrative and logistical. You shuttle Jill to …

Finding Your True North

Finding Your True North

Finding Your True North Finding Your True North Finding Your True North is connecting to our inner guidance, that part of our selves that possesses all of the wisdom and insights to guide us through life. Think back.  Take a moment to remember when you were growing up.  As a child, what was it that you wanted to do when you grew …

Coping with Chronic Illness

“In your quest to become as healthy as possible, may I suggest that you secure the best team of physicians that you can find; keep abreast of all new research related to your illness; find a yoga or meditation teacher to help you learn to balance and center yourself; explore and examine any and all spiritual issues related to healing …

Radical Self-Care for a Balanced Life - Four Directions Wellness

Radical Self-Care for a Balanced Life

Anne Lamott, the celebrated, quirky and funny writer of books on writing and spirituality, recently gave a TED talk entitled, “12 Truths I Learned from Life and Writing,” in which she spoke about something she called “radical self-care.” “While fixing and saving and trying to rescue is futile,” Lamott says, “radical self-care is quantum, and it radiates out from you …

Importance of Decluttering for a Better Life - Four Directions Wellness

Importance of Decluttering for a Better Life

“Out of clutter, find simplicity.” ― Albert Einstein Many people find clutter challenging. After all, it’s procrastination (which is an emotional skill that often begets negative consequences) in its physical form. Living in the Nation’s Capital, you won’t be surprised that there’s even a membership organization for clutter, The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) (formerly the National Study Group on …

Celebrating What Unites US

Celebrating What Unites US

Just two days ago, we came together as a country to celebrate what unites us.  People joined together for picnics, baseball games, apple pie and fireworks at dark to celebrate our nation’s birthday.  Many of us had our American flags flying, a poignant reminder of what brings us together and of what also originally brought our Founding Fathers together when …