Author: Lori Deschene
-
How to Deal with Regret: 8 Ways to Benefit and Move Forward
“Stay away from what might have been and look at what can be.” ~Marsha Petrie Sue
When I look back at some of the most painful moments of my life, I see myself sitting alone, feeling either immense shame or regret.
It’s bizarre how we can get so offended and angry when other people hurt us and yet repeatedly choose to torture ourselves, far worse than they possibly could, through repeated mental rehashing.
For the longest time, my biggest regret revolved around missing out on life.
From a distance, people always thought I had everything going for me. Up close, you could see the cracks in that facade. No matter what I got, I was painfully discontent and depressed, and often isolated in fear.
I remember my last night in NYC at twenty-five, sitting in a tiny boxed-up efficiency studio apartment that I rented in a low-income building. I’d been in the apple for two and a half years, and my greatest accomplishments were barely noticeable to anyone but myself.
Granted, they were big ones: I’d quit smoking, formed a yoga practice, and begun the slow uphill climb to liking who I was.
But the list of what I didn’t do often felt far more compelling: I didn’t form many real friendships, I never had a storybook NYC romance like I dreamed about, and I never even once auditioned for a play after growing up on the stage.
I went to NYC to convince the world I was strong, then I broke into a million little pieces and, in stubborn resistance to “giving up,” spent two years trying to glue myself back together.
For a long time I regretted that I went to the city where dreams come true and did absolutely nothing to go after mine. Then I realized something: I was not that girl anymore, and in another second, I would again be someone new.
At any moment I could let go of the weight of who I’d been and allow myself a better chance of becoming who I wanted to be.
What I did or didn’t do could either paralyze me further or motivate me to do something now—something not conceived in reaction to past disappointments but born completely anew from a moment of strength and empowerment. (more…)
-
The Pay As You Feel Cafe
Chef Adam Smith serves perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste, on a pay-as-you-feel basis. As for why he decided to do this in Leeds, in the UK, Adam says, “You can’t change the world unless you change your hometown first.”
What a beautiful mission! Follow the Pay As You Feel Cafe on Facebook here.
-
Kid President’s Letter to a Person on Their First Day Being Alive
It’s hard to be a person sometimes. That’s where Soul Pancake’s Kid President comes in. In this short video, he lays it all out–everything we need to know to be an awesome person. No matter how far is from your first day on Earth, this is one worth watching!
-
Two-Legged Dog’s First Trip to the Beach
Boxer puppy Duncan Lou Who was born with deformed hind legs that left him in constant agony. After having them removed, he received a doggy wheel chair, courtesy of Panda Paws Rescue.
In this short video, we see his first time roaming free at the beach, blissfully unconcerned with what he lacks and seemingly grateful for what he still has to enjoy.
-
Two Free, Life Changing Meditation Events
If you’re anything like me, you may sometimes have the best intentions of meditating, only to find yourself finding excuses to avoid sitting still.
Maybe it’s because the thought of slowing down makes your heart start to race with terror. Maybe it’s because you’d rather sit naked on the subway floor for an hour than sit with your own thoughts for even a minute.
Or maybe your lack of motivation stems from a list of can’ts—a sense that you can’t devote enough time to make it worthwhile, or you can’t do it consistently because some days are busier than others, or you can’t make the time for yourself because other people need you.
Whatever the case may be, if you’ve finally decided to create a consistent meditation practice, now is a great time to start, as you’ll have two amazing free resources to help you make it a habit.
Meditation 101
Meditation 101 is a free virtual conference taking place between April 21st and 25th. Featuring interviews with thirty-two experts on meditation, mindfulness, psychology, and neuroscience, this online event will help you learn how to meditate to:
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
- Sleep better
- Feel happier and more present
- Have more energy
- Transform yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually
Some of the experts include:
- Marianne Williamson, spiritual teacher and author of A Return to Love
- Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and author of Buddha’s Brain
- Tommy Rosen, yoga teacher and addiction recovery expert
- Michael Beckwith, meditation teacher and author of 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast
- Stephen Cope, former director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living
- Waylon Lewis, founder of elephantjournal.com
- Mallika Chopra, founder of intent.com
Each interview includes a guided meditation, so you can soak up all the information and then immediately reap the benefits of meditating.
Learn more about this event and get a free ticket to the conference, visit Meditation 101.
Mindful in May
If after participating in the Meditation 101 Conference you need some support to maintain your practice, Mindful in May can help.
This month-long event helps you clear your mind with meditation while providing clean water to those without.
Throughout the month, you’ll receive daily emails with resources and support to help you stick to a ten-minute-a-day meditation commitment.
You can either make a donation of any amount, or get sponsored by friends and family, to help raise money for Charity Water.
The program includes:
- Daily guidance through an e-course with clear, accessible tips on how to meditate
- Downloadable, weekly audio meditations
- Daily motivation and coaching to support your new mindful habit
- Exclusive video interviews with leading global mindfulness leaders from around the world
- A meditation journal to keep track of your month
- One month curation of inspiring content including video links, articles, and quotes to nourish your soul and introduce you to world leaders in wellbeing.
- Healthy, quick recipes that can support your wellness and inspire you to practise mindful eating
Join the Mindful in May challenge here.
Photo by Gabriel Rocha
-
Three Guys Pay for People at Drive-Thrus
They say the little things are the big things, and as a fan of all things tiny, I have to agree. Check out what happens when the guys at Give Back Films pay it forward, fast-food style.
