How to Cultivate More Inner Peace

November 1, 2019 Denise Torres

Suggestions from the Tuesday Practice Group:

Leave for appointments early. Allow time so no rushing needed.
Put things in their place so when I go to find them, they are there.
Balance order with ease—what’s my balance for inner peace?
Remind myself what I have influence and control over and what I don’t. What’s mine? What’s not mine? …

From "Changing Self Talk Into Self Care": More on Working with the Inner Critic

October 1, 2019 Denise Torres

From the Changing Self Talk to Self Care workshop

Marshall Rosenberg, in his book, Nonviolent Communication, helps us to understand how feelings of inner ease and peace arise when we “see” and accept who we are just as we are. On the other hand, when we attack ourselves with judgment, blame, shame, guilt, or threats we don’t see or accept ourselves as we are. The impact of this is its own kind of violence, yes? To help us untangle our inner criticisms we first apply these important facts to our situation. …

Out from the Back of the Cabinet

July 1, 2019 Denise Torres

Adapted from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ursonate/5057644252. Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

This past week Mike and I had the somewhat arduous task of mouse proofing our house. Because we were in some denial about how significant the problem was we thought just getting a couple of humane mouse “traps” would do the trick. I think this was because we really, really didn’t want to take out each and every single thing from all the kitchen cabinets. And, of course, that is precisely what we ended up doing. …

Celebration, Gratitude and (What?) a Drawing for a Free Book!

May 31, 2019 Bryn Hazell

We are delighted to report that our initial request for people to participate in our Circle of Friends of the Center for Compassionate Living brought in an additional $120/month! So, we now have $470/month in automatic deposits towards our $1000/month goal of monthly donors to create a more dependable, sustainable income for the Center.

What's This About a Book Give-Away?…

Circle of Friends

May 1, 2019 CCL

Beth Hanson, Co-Founder, Board Member, Secretary

Dear Friends of the Center for Compassionate Living,

We write to you today with a touch of anxiety and mostly a sense of hope and trust. Our expenses at the Center for Compassionate Living are exceeding our revenue. …

Working with the Inner Critic

April 1, 2019 Bryn Hazell

My mind is like a bad neighborhood. I try not to go there alone.”

~ Anne Lamott

Why is our mind sometimes like a bad neighborhood?

Here are two possible reasons: The first is that over the years our brain has evolved so that it can take shortcuts called neuro-habits. …

One of the Most Important Human Needs: To Help Others

March 1, 2019 Bryn Hazell

Not only did we have bountiful snow this past week, but we also had bountiful needs met by all of the many helping hands and hearts that showed up.

Friends and family members told me stories of neighbors jumping in to help with shoveling, snow blowing, and roof raking. One friend who finds it hard to ask for help was so worried about the deepening snow on the roof that she screwed up her courage and requested to borrow a roof rake—and was happily rewarded when the owners were delighted to be asked. …

Loving Fiercely

February 1, 2019 Denise Torres

We often picture love as romantic dinners, tender encounters, surprises, thoughtful gestures, helpfulness, and support. Admittedly these are the best parts. And yet, for me, loving is much, much more. It is also a radical commitment to take on all the obstacles—the fights, the anger, and the hurt; the stress, life’s uncertainties, and even our own insecurities in order to know something so sweet, so healing, so life-giving that our own lives would be incomplete without it. …

Be careful what you hear

January 1, 2019 Denise Torres

Be Careful What You Hear During the Holidays
by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
reprinted with permission from Puddle Dancer Press

The holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Family gatherings, busy schedules, entertaining, and the bustle and pressure of expectations around gift giving. In this training excerpt, world-renowned peacemaker and author, Marshall Rosenberg, gives frank advice to keep our compassion alive by shifting our thinking.

If you want to enjoy your life, particularly during high stress situations, I would strongly recommend you never hear what another person thinks. …