Tibet offered many surprises. A morning experience of sacred geometry was an unexpected gift and became a treasured memory — Eight of us decided to brave the down-to-your-bones, night freeze in close to 16,000 ft. altitude at Drak Yerpa, Tibet. Our group was the first time Chinese officials had granted foreigners permission to camp at a monastery. There was no way I was going to miss this rare opportunity.

Fed up with the daily barrage of misinformation and deliberate lies? Activate the truth seeking missile we all possess and you will spot lies much faster — I’m sitting in a circle of eight, 13 year old girls at a slumber party. We’re playing the listening game. Someone whispers a sentence to the person sitting next to them. The message is relayed down the line until it reaches the last person. We started with simplicity itself: John…

Eating at our table required a sturdy digestion, a strong will and a stable nervous system — Our front door flew open and a jock bro went straight to the kitchen, possessed by raging hunger after basketball practice. “What’s for dinner mom? I’m starving!” I gave him our requisite sibling eye roll. “I bet you are, it’s been three hours since you swallowed two sandwiches without chewing.”…

The real reason why I became a Yoga teacher. I finally found work where I could wear pajamas — It was our motley, neighborhood rat pack of kids last week of summer. Adults didn’t dare approach us. With good reason. We were up to no good. Count on it. And the scorching desert sun did nothing but inflame our streaks of wild. By high noon it was 110 degrees…

I never hired the hellion to begin with. She snuck in through the exit and set up camp before I even knew she was there — “It’s time for bed,” mother announces with undisguised relief. “Go brush your teeth and wash your face.” I scanned the home turf before obliging. Good! All three of my older sisters were in the living room. The coast was clear. I scurried off to our double bunk bedroom and quietly…

Resilience is developed over time and not a given factor in our development unless we focus on it. Once established, it allows us to deal with inevitable obstacles and challenges in life with greater flexibility — Resilience: the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands. American Psychological Association

She swam away into the land of our ancestors, but not before we shared a moment of joy in the mighty Pacific ocean. — Coo coo, coo coo. Trill trill. The morning birds in Hawaii greet the new day, beckoning me to rise from sleep and admire their winged beauty. It’s December 17th, the first full day of our vacation in the tropics and my phone now chimes with a not-unexpected text from my…

Snippets of gratitude from decades of life — The wheel turns. Winter Solstice is on the way. Memories knock on my door. Hoping for respite from the cold and dark. The fire burns brightly in my stove and heart as I usher them in. Would you like an espresso or a cup of tea? “No dear one,” they…

She can’t stop yipping after she read a NY Times article about coyotes being the original hipster foodies. Someone finally got it straight — Disclaimer: I would like to emphasize this is not my writing. I am merely Coyote’s translator and claim no responsibility for this content. Hey y’all! I’m so excited R got outta my way and finally let me share my profound wisdom with you. …