For the past week, I have been on holiday. My favourite times during the week were the quiet 15 minutes or half hours that I had to enjoy a cup of tea or a cold drink with my husband. This is something we do not get to do at home. I realized that I do …
In Iceland, there is a tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading. The Tradition began during World War II when publishers flooded the markets with books printed in Iceland at the end of the year. Imports were restricted in that time, but paper was available and so books could …
Last week, as I sat teaching a group of youth to knit, I mentioned that one of the things I liked best about knitting was that it gave me time to be introspective. Immediately I was greeted by five people all staring at me in that way that makes me wonder how I always get …
“I’m not in the garden. I’m on a rock in the garden!” This statement was uttered with that assurance only a 5 year old has when they’ve discovered a loophole in the rule you’ve just set for them. There were lots of loophole-finding people out yesterday when my husband and I went for a short …
I glanced out the window today and finally noticed buds on the trees. When did that happen? Would I even have noticed them last Tuesday when it was snowing so hard and I was so desperate for any sign of spring. Spring has been a topic that arises in many of my discussions with youth …
Meditation is an excellent practice for health and mental health, but it can be challenging to learn. Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook for People Who Know They Should But Don’t is a book for anyone familiar with the challenge, but who wants to learn to meditate. The book is exactly what the title says. It …
For a change of pace, I thought I would review a new magazine I have discovered called Flow. Flow has this tagline: A magazine that takes its time. I picked my copy up in Britain, but Flow can be purchased in Canada and the United States or online at flowmagazine.com. I am still reading my …
A few weeks ago, I wrote Journaling and Mental Health to remind readers of the value of journaling. As a short guide to journaling, for both young adults and their parents, I recommend Keeping a Journal by Trudi Strain Trueit. This is a concise, clearly written text on the subject that can help anyone get …
Sometimes I feel as if I am the world’s worst psychiatrist. Mostly this happens when I cannot seem to communicate an idea that should be straightforward. This happened to me last week when I was working with a group of patients on self-compassion. All my patients are adolescents and adolescence can be a very challenging …
I am on holiday this week. I’m walking, knitting, reading and writing like I never do at home. During the past few days, I have read Rachael Matthews’ The Mindfulness in Knitting:Meditations in Craft and Calm. This reading continues my consideration of mindfulness and allowed me to understand how knitting can be a mindful as …
