On this Thanksgiving holiday, my heart is just bursting with gratitude for all the wonder that I see in the world. Yes, political problems, economic difficulties and areas of unrest still abound – but now I’ve lived long enough to know that something wonderful is at work behind the scenes. My new way of living …
Category: body
Using the Gifts of Silence
(Excerpt from Pain, Passion & Purpose ) It’s an interesting irony that in a space of purposeful nothingness (silence) you actually discover something valuable. Creating a quiet space holds rewards that can range from the mundane to the miraculous – but first we must shut out the world and surround ourselves with the silence. This …
Tips for Escaping Drama
Sometimes in life we can find ourselves in places of great turmoil and wonder how we got there. Despite trying to do everything right it seems that trouble and strife just keep coming to the forefront. Ironically, trying too hard to “be good and do good” can sometimes get us off course instead of closer …
Note to my Younger Self
What if you could go back and have a heart-to-heart talk with your younger self – knowing all that you know now? What wisdom, warnings or advice would you relay that might have a positive life-changing effect on you? It’s an intriguing idea, so here’s what I would tell young Marci, if given the chance. …
The Benefits of Getting “Back to Basics”
(Excerpt from Pain, Passion & Purpose ) In our complicated world, it’s no wonder that we sometimes feel agitated, exhausted or confused. There’s so much stimulus coming at us from every angle that it can be hard to know where to place our energies. Making the conscious decision to simplify our lives not only helps …
The Seven Steps to Happiness
(Excerpt from Pain, Passion & Purpose ) We spend our lives indulging in a multitude of activities in search of it – happiness. Yet, it often seems elusive. They key to accessing happiness anytime you desire is to get your heart and mind in the right space. Here are seven steps for creating a source …
It’s an Anniversary Celebration!
It’s the one year anniversary of the Empowered Living blog – so let’s party like its 1999 (wow, that saying has really lost its punch.) We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, but most of all, learned that we’re not alone – life is crazy for everybody! So what did we learn? Let’s celebrate by taking a look back! …
Practicing Mindfulness
(Excerpt from Pain, Passion & Purpose ) Sometimes we can make the greatest strides and gain the strongest understanding by breaking things down into their simplest elements. A bustling life full of endless errands can seem overwhelming but in reality our days are really just a series of moments; each moment overflowing with possibility if …
The 4 Simple Steps to Growing Gracefully
(Excerpt from Pain, Passion & Purpose ) In our youth-obsessed culture it can be difficult to embrace the changes that age brings. Many of us cling to the past – to a time when we most projected the world’s image of beauty and success. Unfortunately, trying to hold on to the past is like trying …
How to Handle those Uninspired Moments
Days like yesterday (and the day before) remind me of how fragile one’s state of mind can be. While I’m usually able to stay relatively motivated, grateful of my blessings and hopeful for the future – there are times when all of it seems to desert me and leave me feeling…empty and vulnerable. I’m not …
Marci Wise, M.A., LMHC 