The definition of mindfulness, according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, is "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally." The opposite of judgment is compassion. In my opinion, there are many roads that lead to compassion, but the one I am finding that has not failed me is the road of curiosity. Curiosity is a willingness … Continue reading Mindfulness: Judgment
IFS
Grab the “Biff Pick”
I recently ran across a thought on the internet from a writer I’ve never met who calls himself “Just a Poet Guy.” “Becoming a highly self-aware person is a double-edged sword. You’ll mostly know how to do better, but be prepared for the punishment you’ll serve yourself every time you consciously make a choice to … Continue reading Grab the “Biff Pick”
Curiosity Killed the Cat
“Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.” I have wrongly assumed that was the original proverb. Here’s the thing, the original phrase was actually, “care killed the cat.” That meaning had to do with meddling in others’ business. “Care killed the cat” became “curiosity killed the cat,” and it gathered a more general … Continue reading Curiosity Killed the Cat
Linearity Is For Math and Science; Not Life
Physics, Engineering, Geometry, and many other scientific and mathematical fields rely on things being linear. Life is not Math or Science. Life is art. Art is realistic, abstract, and everything in between. Life is subjective and sometimes follows rules. Life is beautiful and messy. Life is random. I started 2022 with a perfect formula for … Continue reading Linearity Is For Math and Science; Not Life
Do The Dang Thing
There is a part of me that makes accusations, nasty ones. “You’re not good enough.” “You suck.” “You deserve everything that has happened.” “You are a f*ckup.” “If anyone knows how weak you are, you will be deserted.” “If people know you, they won’t like you.” And so much more. That part feeds shame and … Continue reading Do The Dang Thing
Embrace the Suck…Er…Shame (Part)
Have you ever pretended to be someone you aren’t? I don’t mean “fake it until you make it.” I mean acting a part but being an imposter. I recently read about a man who may have murdered a twenty-year-old man, but investigators couldn’t prove it. Instead, they charged the man for every other crime they … Continue reading Embrace the Suck…Er…Shame (Part)
Power Rangers and Parts
Photo by Raphaël Cubertafon on Unsplash Let’s talk for a moment about the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. At the expense of my son’s future dignity, I will reveal that he watched several episodes and a movie recently, and that provided me with the small amount of information I have here. The Power Rangers were not … Continue reading Power Rangers and Parts
Self-Compassion Is Difficult
Self-compassion is difficult. I remember the negative things I have said or done, and those things become who I am. Each and every poor decision, unkind word spoken—or not, embarrassing moment, or thought provides me with proof that I am a loathsome human. Except, am I? The little three-year-old Becks I saw in the mirror … Continue reading Self-Compassion Is Difficult
The Heavy Bag
Photo by Milo Bunnik on Unsplash Last night I couldn’t sleep. For some reason, I kept thinking about a punching bag—one I had beaten for close to 10 minutes straight without a break. When I couldn’t possibly throw another punch, I held the heavy bag. When I say I held it, I mean I flat-out … Continue reading The Heavy Bag
The Lion and the Elephant
Have you ever read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho? It is an incredibly popular book and highly recommended, yet when I looked at my Goodreads account, I noticed it had only 3.9 stars. Why? Mostly because it was a self-help fiction book with patriarchal undertones, according to the reviews. If you look past that, I … Continue reading The Lion and the Elephant
Burn the Boat! 