Best of Ourselves

Taking time for a solo retreat is precious. It is a time to reflect more deeply.  This time my challenge was to have a “should-free” retreat.  My inner critic didn’t agree. Resources What is the Inner Critic Identifying the Inner Critic Working with the Inner Critic Listening to the Inner Voice The post BOO539 – Encore – Retreating From Shoulds appeared firs...

What if we didn’t have to wait for life to get easier before we could fully live it? Drawing on the Buddhist story of the tiger and the strawberry, Marcia reflects on finding moments of sweetness in the midst of fear, uncertainty, and grief. The tiger may still be there—but so are a warm blanket, a deep breath, the love of friends, and the sweetness of this moment. Resources Breathe Living in Unce...

We are living in unpredictable times. It is a mistake to think tomorrow will be like today.  The book Simple Habits for Complex Times has several very practical tips. Resources Jennifer Garvey Berger Just Ask – Podcast Hope Helps – Podcast The post BOO537 – Encore – Ideas for Living in Uncertainty appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

Learning to intentionally focus our attention can change our brain structure according to Dr. Dan Siegel.  This episode explores the power of his Wheel of Awareness meditation practice Resources Wheel of Awareness Mindfulness Changes Us – Podcast Dr Dan Siegel’s Book – Aware Noticing – Podcast The post BOO536 – Encore – Focusing Our Attention appeared first...

Why is it so easy to stop doing the very things we know help us feel grounded and well? Instead of beating ourselves up or trying to force our way back with willpower, perhaps there’s another way: notice what’s happening, get curious, and try one small thing. This is nothing to fix, just awareness and choices. The post BOO535 – Moving the Needle appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

How often are we hard on ourselves?  How often do we deny our feelings or push through?  What do we do when we REALLY see that we are being unkind?  In this episode, we explore what to do when we observe harsh patterns. Resources Kristen Neff Brene Brown TED talk The post BOO534 – Encore – Unkind to Myself appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

Some lessons I need to learn over and over again. One persistent struggle is learning to listen to my intuition.  Most of the time the consequences of ignoring are small, sometimes they are not. Resources Old Patterns Identifying the Inner Critic The post BOO533 – Encore – Listening to the Inner Voice appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

Subscribe:  RSS Ever had a day where everything goes sideways at once? Mine included dog poo, burr-covered terriers, a broken garage door, and a nurse cheering for Tom’s phlegm. This episode explores what happens when we let go of how life “should” be and meet what’s real—with humor, honesty, and a bit of Anne Lamott–style grace. Photo:  engin akyurt Resources Living in Uncertainty The S...

This is what is here now.  An emotion, an irritating person or a disturbing situation.  Learning to accept what is present and respond from a deeper place leads to a powerful shift.   Resources Acceptance Podcast Learning to Accept What Is Podcast Tuning In V Changing the Channel Podcast The post BOO531 – Encore – Acceptance As A Step Towards Change appeared first o...

When words fail us, what remains?  Marcia shares a deeply personal reflection on caregiving, uncertainty, and the moments when experience reaches beyond language. Inspired by John O’Donohue’s blessing  Beannacht , this episode offers quiet companionship for anyone navigating life’s darker waters. Resources Beannacht  from  To Bless the Space Between Us Living...

Learning how to get grounded helps us access more of our intelligence; we are not our brightest selves when we are reactive. Resources An Interview with Wendy Palmer Mindtraps Podcast The post BOO529 – Encore – Breathe appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

After thinking about Mary Jo Leddy’s talk “Surprised by Goodness”, I wondered how much kindness I do overlook each day?  Where can I extend a bit more kindness? Resources Self Kindness – Neff Self-Kindness – Germer Random Acts of Kindness Cultivating Appreciation The post BOO528 – Encore – Finding More Kindness appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

It’s a subtle form of the inner critic, so subtle, you might miss it.  Comparison to others does not support you become your own, unique best self.  Being inspired is great, thinking you don’t measure up, not so much. Resources Disengaging the Inner Critic Identifying the Inner Critic The post BOO527 – Encore – Comparison appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

Silence can be a gift. The pause helps us step back from reactivity, gain perspective, and listen for something deeper than our internal chatter. But not all silence serves us. Sometimes silence protects comfort, allows harmful systems to continue unchecked, or keeps us from living our values fully. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 speech  A Time to Break Silence , this episode...

Living from an appreciative stance can increase your life expectancy, resilience and creativity.  And it is hard to do.  This episode makes a case for increasing appreciation in our days and shares a few tips. Resources: Dr Rick Hanson on hardwiring our brain for happiness Brother David Steindl-Rast TED talk The post BOO523 – Encore – Cultivating Appreciation appeared first o...

We are stronger when we work together.  Reflections on finding community all around me. Resources Habits of the Heart  by Parker Palmer Full Parker Palmer Interview Trusting the Heart: Essential Connectedness The post BOO522 – Encore – Finding Community appeared first on Marcia Hyatt .

Catching herself in a cycle of avoidance and self-judgment, Marcia explores the familiar urge to fix what feels off—and why that approach often backfires. Through a moment of honest reflection, she uncovers what was really underneath and discovers a quieter, more powerful starting point: acceptance. Not as a strategy, but as a doorway to real change. Resources Grounded Presence Living in Uncertain...

A simple, unexpected note interrupts a cycle of stress and worry, reminding us how easily we overlook everyday acts of kindness. This reflection explores how small, ordinary moments of care—across differences and in our own communities—quietly sustain us, if we remember to notice them. Resources Kindness Changes Everything The post BOO520 – The Bright Spots We Almost Miss appeared first on M...

When life changes and familiar roles fall away, it’s easy to feel unmoored. This reflection explores the quiet invitation in those moments—to pause, listen, and remember we are more than the roles we’ve played. Resources Connected or Separate?  – The Wave Story When I shared this radio show with my writing group, my friend Holly shared this poem facing the same question. Follow her on S...

Our hard wiring response to change is exactly the wrong thing we need to thrive in turbulence, uncertainty and complexity.  In Jennifer Garvey Berger’s practical new book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, she boils down the problem and ways to free ourselves. In this podcast, we explore how to get out of the forth mindtrap – control Resources Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps Liv...

Our hard wiring response to change is exactly the wrong thing we need to thrive in turbulence, uncertainty and complexity.  In Jennifer Garvey Berger’s practical new book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, she boils down the problem and ways to free ourselves. In this podcast, we explore how to get out of the forth mindtrap – control Resources Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps Liv...

Our hard wiring response to change is exactly the wrong thing we need to thrive in turbulence, uncertainty and complexity.  In Jennifer Garvey Berger’s practical new book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, she boils down the problem and ways to free ourselves. In this podcast, we explore how to get out of the forth mindtrap – control Resources Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps Int...

Our hard wiring response to change is exactly the wrong thing we need to thrive in turbulence, uncertainty and complexity.  In Jennifer Garvey Berger’s practical new book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, she boils down the problem and ways to free ourselves. In this podcast, we explore how to get out of the third mindtrap – agreements Resources Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps...

Our hard wiring response to change is exactly the wrong thing we need to thrive in turbulence, uncertainty and complexity.  In Jennifer Garvey Berger’s practical new book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, she boils down the problem and ways to free ourselves. In this podcast, we explore how to get out of the second mindtrap – rightness. The post BOO514 – Encore – The Mindtra...

Our hard wiring response to change is exactly the wrong thing we need to thrive in turbulence, uncertainty and complexity.  In Jennifer Garvey Berger’s practical new book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, she boils down the problem and ways to free ourselves. In this podcast, we explore how to get out of the first mindtrap – creating simple stories. Resources Unlocking Leaders...