My sisters and I deeply admired our grandmother (Faustina) as she was quite the character - so full of life and laughter and spunk, to say the least. She had so much love to give and lived each day like she was never getting older. She passed away just before her 95th birthday, and both of those dates just passed, so I was reminiscing and going through old photos last weekend. My sister Jaime also shared a tribute she had written years ago, and it made me even more grateful for the human our grandmother was and the teachings she left us. Jaime's poetic words left me smiling, and they are shared below.
- Amanda
Read MoreWhen I was about 35, I visited one of my hometowns growing up. This one in Brecksville, Ohio. I lived there during 8th and 9th grade.
I woke up at the crack of dawn and left the Holiday Inn for what I thought would be a long peaceful meandering run. It seemed like just a wonderful way for re-connecting with memories and space.
It was horrible.
I decided to run up past the school.
As I ran the exact route the bus would take each day leading up to the high school doors, fears of many years before arose instantly and consumed me.
I became in touch with the daily effort it took each day to fit in, to be liked, to hide what went on with me and the deep pressure to attempt to be in the popular group and sometimes succeed and in terrible ways also fail. The immense pressure I was never ever conscious of as a 9th grader was all consuming on this morning. I can still feel it when I think of it. Super scary. All the energy working so so so so hard sub-consciously to not be myself or even have a clue as to who I was. To have no base.
And I would have been thought to be one of the lucky ones with “so much going for me”!!!
From that mini scary experience, I can’t even pretend to fully imagine the immense positive benefit that Jaime had with the teen-agers she taught in Costa Rica who perhaps faced far far greater daily challenges.
- Pip
Read MoreJaime's birthday was earlier this month on November 4th. And I really loved the birthday reflection she had shared. The full version of this blog/self-reflection can be found on her website (linked at the bottom), but I chose certain parts of it to share right here with the CFC.
Jaime's words below are nothing short of being wholeheartedly vulnerable. And I choose to use the term "nothing short of" because initially when I hear the words "feeling/being vulnerable," it feels they hold a negative connotation. But I know it is actually such a wonderful thing in the human experience to be able to get to a place of feeling comfortable enough to be that way fully, ridding oneself of any worries of external judgement. It is not usually an easy thing to do, at least it hasn't always been for me. But time after time, Jaime does it in her writing. And it makes me realize that I am grateful I've decided to become more open and honest with myself (and with others) as I've grown older too. And I'm glad my sister seems to experience the kind of relief I know comes with that .
Thank you, Jaime.
- Amanda
Read MoreIt occurs to me that there are some phrases in English that lots of people speak, but rarely mean what the words actually say. Jaime picks out the one I think might be one of the most common. Most of the folks asking it probably don’t allow for the time it takes to get an honest or complete answer to this simple question. And I’m certainly included here. But when I can take the time to hear someone else’s full response, I find it gives me a sense of peace and connection to that person and our species that I wouldn’t have felt had I continued at New York pace.
- Corey
Read MoreJaime’s thoughts below remind me of a practice I started at my company that I now employ in my personal life, too — I start nearly every meeting with three 7-second breaths. Breathe in for 7, breathe out for 7. Repeat x2. (Sometimes just for myself if it’s someone I feel wouldn’t dig it, but many people do!) I like to think it allows time for people’s bodies to catch up with their minds. And also for each person to have time for themSelf, to reconnect with their source, to be fully present for the conversation to come. As Jaime says, it’s often the first breath that’s the hardest…
- Corey
Read MoreOne thing that has really helped me since the start of quarantine is practicing gratitude. And I've noticed: When I am on a good streak of taking five minutes before bed to write about all the things I am grateful for from that day, I feel happier waking up and moving through each subsequent day during those weeks. Sometimes I fall out of that practice or forget to do it, and I notice I tend to feel more tangled in negative emotions and spiral from one to the next. But Jaime's blogreminds me of the value of intentionally pausing and soaking up those little bursts of positivity and joy. And in doing so, I know the brain can be wired to naturally think happier and more encouraging thoughts, a concept I wrote about as well in another piece, "Joy in the Gutters." I am always interested in exploring and hearing more about the power of positive psychology, and what it's done for others.
I hope you enjoy Jaime's sweet share!
- Amanda
Read MoreI love reading these little memories of my dad. Especially ones that illuminate his openness and natural curiosity for others and the world around him. He had a mind that could easily be changed once his heart took over... which it always would. I miss him so much but I'm happy he inspired me to always be a learner and lead with compassion above anything else.
- Amanda
Read MoreThe vivid picture Jaime paints in her words and phrases teleports me into another world; it’s either the past, before I had a partner and family, or another dimension where I decide to be Corey Solo. In those times, my heart beat with a deep affection for the mystery of life’s path. It sometimes felt small to consider that my love could be directed toward one person or another, when I was fully in wonder with the feeling of my experience in the world. It occurs to me, after reading this piece, that I still have the world as my first partner; all it takes is a simple shift of my point of view to kindle the flame.
- Corey
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I can't believe Jaime just gave birth to baby number two.. today at 3:38am! Welcome to the world baby Emma.
It's been awesome watching Jaime be a mother the last two years. She's shared so much knowledge through storytelling about childbirth and raising the little ones. It's been inspiring to have heard her personal stories through the lense of our sisterhood, but now even greater to also get a more vulnerable peak inside her thoughts and experiences on her website MudnMiracles.com, the blog she launched to capture more about her journey as mama, AND her as simply Jaime.
- Amanda
Read MoreThis piece evokes my memory of the magic times in my life when I’ve created, or stumbled upon, space to create art. In my youth, art was about me relating to a separate object: an instrument, a song, a play. Now, I find the magic of art in becoming aware of being conscious in each moment, and filling it with kindness, joy, and curiosity. Sometimes that’s in conversation and interaction with other humans, other times it’s solo work spent in one’s own hermetic sphere. Being outdoors in nature usually helps me access it quicker.
When I’m in a group, I sometimes recognize the magic is happening by how quiet the sound of my ticking mental clock becomes, and how I seem to be able to feel when it’s the right time to speak, and my mouth, having less connection with my brain and more with the shared spirit of conversation, finds the right words to say.
Thanks, Jaime. I hope to continue discovering “eternities of living” in my life.
- Corey
Read MoreOne of the most remarkable things the human body can do is create life. There’s the physical aspect, the actual growing a baby and then giving birth, which is extraordinary in and of itself. Perhaps the MORE amazing thing is the mental and psychological transformation one experiences as a parent in the actual caring for and raising of a child. It’s a BIG reorientation toward the WE mindset, and mostly out of the ME mindset. Even if you thought your balance of ME - WE was already WAY over on the WE side of things, you may find pockets of space or behaviors that you didn’t want disturbed. All the old ways of being are up for reimagination or repurposing to work with the new being in mind. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to adapt, but it may offer a richer, fuller experience where something greater than simply surviving is possible.
- Corey
Read MoreI love this little reflection from my sister. It’s amazing how the brain can become wired to be so task-oriented. But I do believe that, like Jaime, I can be more thoughtful and intentional with how I choose to use my energy... because energy can really be contagious. And I can decide what kind of effect it has depending on the stance I take and the mindset I choose to operate from. These notions also remind me of Rob's blog sent out last week about incorporating time to solely play and get creative, and how that can rejuvenate the mind and soul. Very timely to share these interesting thoughts and personal practices given the current state of the world.
I hope you all enjoy!
- Amanda
Read MoreOne of the biggest values at the research school I'm interning at is inquiry-based learning - on a daily basis, there's a huge emphasis in every subject area in fostering an environment that is student-led, giving the children the reins to decide how to go about their understandings and growth. They amaze me every day with all they're able to figure out due to the freedom and creativity they have to critically think and discover truths. And as I watch their every little move and thought process, I too take home a lesson with me. Jaime's experience with her baby girl sheds light on one of the many ways to find answers by watching our youth navigate this complex world. Thanks for sharing Jaime, and for this great reminder to get some fresh air out in nature during this time of uncertainty.
Sending out health and happiness to all.
- Amanda
Read MoreI've noticed it can be tempting in the modern world to feel pressured to move quickly and always do what's most convenient for time's sake. But Jaime's piece demonstrates that through outlets such as nature, it is possible to live life a little more slowly and make more conscientious and sustainable decisions. These decisions can then even lead to a heightened sense of self and more room for creativity :) Thanks Jaime!
- Amanda
Read MoreOne of my new year's resolutions is to be less hard on myself ... to laugh at the mistakes, to have more positive self-talk, to trust my own intuition more, and to simply stress less about my daily agendas. Because deep down I know it will all get done and that I am always trying my best - so why add so much anxiety and overthinking into the mix? Jaime's blog reminds me of the power of believing in myself and of being mindful of feelings, my energy, my needs, and my growth. AND, to not let a long cold winter freeze my ability to make, even seed-like, changes to my life ;) The growth will happen naturally when I begin first by getting more in touch with what I believe I really am. Thanks Jaime!
-Amanda
Read MoreThis poem from Jaime reminds me of one of my biggest personal anti pet peeves - having a meaningful or funny conversation with the cashier at the grocery store. I always appreciate when he/she asks me about my weekend or my plans, or when a conversation sparks up about a food item I'm about to buy. I think sometimes I just need little doses of casual human interactions in my days, especially with strangers, for rejuvenation and to remind me that we are all human, and we are all connected. And though we may be in different boats, we navigate through similar (and often rough) waters. Thank you for these heartfelt words, Jaime.
- Amanda
I have an extremely old macbook, which still functions fine, but often freezes at the seemingly WORST moments. Like right as I'm starting to type rigorously on an essay, or just as I'm about to click 'send' for an email, or right as I'm finally making some progress on my study notes. My initial reaction every time it does this is exactly the following: large frustration resulting in the clicking of the mouse approximately 47 times, then quickly moving on to do something else like organizing my desk papers or washing the dishes I've been putting off, all in effort to MAXIMIZE productivity during this interrupted work time.
But lately, I've taken the 5 minutes it stops working to do one thing: breathe! Sometimes my ancient computer in its futile moments reminds me to just pause, take a break from what I'm doing, and even grab a long overdue snack. Usually, ten minutes later when I've returned to my screen, I feel a bit more rejuvenated and ready. Jaime's piece below made me take note of this personal experience and how it's sort of a funny blessing in disguise..
- Amanda
Read MoreJaime's blog is a call-back to cooler weather in the fall season. It reminds me of many days I've had myself back in NY when my only remedy after a stressful day is the healing tranquility that is rooted in nature. It's amazing how many answers I feel I can receive from the utter silence of the brush.
- Amanda
Read MoreI looked at this blog from Jaime through various different lenses. But one vision brought me back to a TED talk with Shawn Achor that I watched where he discussed how it's possible to actually train the brain to be more happy through some rather simple exercises. One exercise included writing down three things or three people that you are grateful for and why each day. Research showed that two minutes of this practice per day for 21 days can actually re-wire the brain to be more optimistic as people will start scanning the world for the positives over the negatives. And that this daily space for gratitude and appreciation, with regards to even the little things people say or do for you, can hugely impact happiness, relationships, and even work productivity over time. Jaime's blog reminds me of the potentiality of these simple yet worthwhile practices.
- Amanda
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