On my very first trip to British Columbia, I stopped off in Vancouver to change planes for my flight to Victoria. I looked out the window in the terminal building, saw the mountains in the distance, and sighed contentedly to myself, “It’s so good to be home.” When I first visited Israel and the plane touched down in Tel Aviv, I burst into tears, overwhelmed with a sense of relief at arriving home. But here’s the thing: I’ve never lived in either place. I still don’t have an e

I was recently asked about what has worked for me in building a regular writing practice. So I’ve pulled together some of the components of my writing practice that have been most useful in becoming steadier on my feet – as it turns out, not only in writing but in other aspects of my life too. It’s all connected. Community: Probably the single most compelling thing I’ve done to get from A to B — from struggling to write three times a week for 5-10 minutes at a time to actuall

“To thine own self be kind.” I mean REALLY TRULY kind. I mean radical kindness, real, radical self-compassion. The kind of kindness that lasts, that soaks into every aspect of your life, the kind you don’t leave behind when you come home after a retreat. Beyond random acts of kindness. Beyond bubble baths. Beyond massages, spa days, yoga retreats, whatever your budget allows you to do as a form of self-care or even the occasional self-indulgence. Beyond chocolate, binge watch

I know I keep saying this, but this time – this time – will be different. I’ll do better at staying in touch. I will. I will. But the tiny voice inside me, that voice that knows everything, says: You are defeated already. You know you won’t. You never do, even though you say you love – you do love – all those people you don’t stay in touch with, not even on facebook. And I feel bad about that. So, why don’t I stay in touch? Gooood question. Answer #1: I guess I feel my life i

Don’t ask what you can do. They can’t tell you, because they don’t know. Don’t say, if there’s anything you need, just let me know. They don’t know what they need. They won’t call you. They’re too weary. Just go. Call ahead if you must, but go. Don’t ask them to choose a good time. There is no good time. Just go. Bring chocolate chip cookies, chicken soup, chili, or even a sponge cake. Comfort food. If they offer you tea and/or food, accept it. It gives them a moment of norma