​Often times the things we want to accomplish or do seem overwhelming and even impossible in their scope. This is usually because we are looking at the whole thing as if it all has to be done now. No one, in the history of humanity, achieved their dreams or ambitions overnight. It is a step by step process. Sometimes that step is to simply take rest. We often fear taking downtime because we associate that with being lazy, or worse, with the fear that if we aren't constantly going and going nothing is happening.

​When I look back over some of the incredible things that showed up for me, they always worked out when I least expected it. It wasn't when I was stressed out, burning the candle at both ends. It was after I put in the effort, set my intention, and then turned my focus else where. I let it go. Sometimes consciously, sometimes not. Trusting it's being worked out behind the scenes, and that powerful forces are assisting us, is crucial to not only our success, but our well being and happiness.

​Consider today what choices you make in a moment to moment basis. Are they bringing you closer to what you want, or perhaps entrenching you deeper in habits you wish to release? Your life, and your dreams, are built of those small moments.

​If you find yourself in a moment of worry and exhaustion, pause, breathe and pivot your thoughts to what's going right. And if things are going right, notice how you feel, breathe into it, and expand that feeling of joy and gratitude.

On Twitter, I posted a tiny meditation I once picked up in a Buddhist temple. Someone responded with:

​I bought this gorgeous water color painting of Ganesha in Bali, about 6 years ago. If you've ever been to Bali you know that art is highly celebrated there. Being an artist is a respectable pursuit and highly encouraged, which is a rare thing to find in this busy, modern world. Every other person you meet there is a highly skilled artist, which I imagine is also part of why Bali feels so healing to people's souls. Art heals in so many ways.

The artist that made this painting was friends with a woman I was staying with. We sat together on the patio of my little room, which was connected to the rest of the home, setup as a traditional Balinese compound. I was in love with all his work, and along with this one, I bought one of the Goddess of education (forgive me but I forgot her name).

Ganesha is probably one of the most well known of the Hindu deities because of his association with removing obstacles. If you're at work and can't close your eyes to meditate here's a nice idea: Click on the painting below and it'll open to show the full thing. Relax your focus and breathe slow and deep as you look at the painting. Offer up any blocks or obstacles in your life to Ganesha. Keep breathing deep until you get as close as you can to surrendering your challenges. Close the image and trust you've let it go, and it's being taken care of. Let it go and go on, coming back to Ganesha as often as you need.

I wish you a lovely day full of support and delightful surprises.

​Sometimes I get lonely.

When you work from home, and your work revolves around writing, it can sometimes feel like you go a long time without talking to anyone. But literally being alone isn't the only time we humans feel lonely.

​Sometimes we feel it when we're surrounded by other people. Sometimes we feel it when we're with someone we've known a long time, and the friendship or relationship feels out of sync.

Whatever the reason, a feeling of loneliness comes from feeling disconnected. We feel disconnected from each other, which means we feel disconnected from the truth that separation is only an illusion. We also feel disconnected from the greater truth that we are, at all times, created by and a part of something far bigger than ourselves.

In order to quiet my mind from trying to convince me how alone I am, I have started using a simple but powerful phrase. It reminds me that whenever I look out at the world, I am a part of it and it is a part of me and feeling alone is just that. It's a feeling, but it's not real. What's real is love.

What's real is where we came from, the energy that binds us all to each other and to the cosmic force that created us and cradles us in its love, at all times.

So when I feel lonely, I just remind myself, "The whole Universe is in every single cell of my body." And then I feel better. I feel that all those people out there, they're with me, and I'm with them, and we're all in this together. And because I'm no longer projecting loneliness, things tend to shift in a way that reflects that love and connection back to me.

Say this to yourself as often as you need. It really helps, and we really are all in this together.
​

"He is so small and gentle. Honestly, I don't know how he makes it in prison."

This is how Nigel Poor, a visual artist who volunteers at San Quentin prison, describes Curtis. Curtis is serving a 50 years to life sentence for three separate robberies. During the last robbery, he stole $40 from a cash register. Due to the three strikes law, for the price of two twenty dollar bills, he received a lifetime behind bars.

We'll come back to Curtis's criminal record, why he began stealing, and his life sentence later. First, lets hear Curtis describe himself in his own words.

"My personality is that of almost... child like. Very playful. I've taken on some very adult responsibilities, however, I'm still child like."

When Curtis says he's taken on some adult responsibilities, I don't think he's referring to his prison sentence. I think he's referring to his adolescence, which was when both his parents abandoned him. He was left to fend for himself, having to make adult decisions on his own, all while wrestling with this feeling of rejection.

Around the time he was 19, he went in search of his parents. He found them, but he didn't find the love and reunion he'd been seeking. His dad had moved on and started another family, and he let Curtis know he wasn't a welcome part of it. Separately, he found his mom, and she made no apologies and regretted nothing.

Not even the fact that Curtis's childhood nickname had been "Ugly". And this was how Curtis felt - ugly. His derailed attempt at reconnecting with his parents broke something inside of him, and he went on a dark path, intent on destroying this ugly person through cocaine.

All throughout the 80's, Curtis self-medicated, becoming increasingly addicted to cocaine. He also got married during this time and had a daughter. But his addiction was spiraling out of control, and thus began the stealing. 

Curtis's first two convictions were also for robbery. Neither was violent and neither involved a weapon. Curtis is the first to admit that what he did was stupid, but when he committed his third robbery, he couldn't believe he was being given life in prison. When Curtis first arrived, his non-violent persona was put to the test. A knife was put in his hand, and he was ordered to go kill a child molester. He wouldn't even consider it. He accepted any consequences this might incur - even if it meant he himself would be killed.

This desire not to lose himself was his primary goal. He felt if he kept his integrity, he could survive this experience. He wanted to make the most of it, and so he played sports, joined clubs, and became very active in the church. He focused on his health, both physical and mental. He also received a pen pal in the form of a couple who wrote him letters, a relationship that would play an unexpected role in the miracle of the diaries.

But before the miracle happened, something else happened that threatened to smother his inner light. As Curtis tells this part of the story his voice becomes quieter, and the impact of it, all these years later, is still palpable.

In 2008, after 13  years in prison, Curtis was raped. Rape, especially in a well-maintained prison like San Quentin, is not as common as people think it is. This incident was shocking, and for Curtis, beyond unbearable. For the first time, he considered ending his life.

As he says, “When the rape happened, it was like, ain’t nobody coming to rescue Curtis. Ain’t no way getting out of this. And this is what you have to live with for the rest of your life.”

This was beyond a low point for Curtis. He went into a shell and feared he'd never find his way out of it. But strangely enough, it was around this time, that the miracle began to unfold.

The "Miracle of the Diaries" is a true story that was featured on the podcast Ear Hustle. Ear Hustle is a thought provoking, insightful, and often times moving podcast by Radiotopia. It's made by prisoners inside San Quentin, who tell their own stories in their own words.

If you'd like to hear the full episode, check out "Left Behind", on season 1, episode 8 of Ear Hustle. You can also subscribe to it on iTunes, Podcast addict, or wherever you get your listen on. I'm a huge fan, and am so grateful to Curtis and the Ear Hustle team for bringing this powerful story to me.

One of the hardest things for me to deal with in life is the things I can't control. When I can't see how something is going to work out, or I feel like I want to change another person's behavior, or I simply feel nervous about a million little things, I feel my whole body tighten with anxiety.

Learning to navigate these feelings, and to continue to embrace life no matter what, is something I am still working on. When it comes to anxiety and fear, I am always looking for new ways to feel better, more centered and more in a flow with life. After years of learning about anxiety, what causes it, and what helps, I have made a meditation using the words, visuals and tools that I have found to be the most helpful.

It's a 15 minute meditation designed to assist you when you are in the midst of anxiety, hopelessness, and other overwhelming feelings. It will help to ease your body and mind by allowing you to accept how you feel, bringing you back into feelings of wholeness. It can also provide relief for things in your life beyond your control that cause you stress.