What does it mean to be an “elder”? Some years ago, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realized I had crossed a line. Fading was the taut skin and the ease of taking my appearance for granted. I didn’t see myself as “old,” exactly, but I knew that’s where I was…
Living well without fear: Safety awareness by Sheri McGregor, M.A. The recent story of Nancy Guthrie—an older woman taken from her home in the night—has captivated me and many of us. It’s so mysterious and disconcerting. A nice, much-loved woman living a settled, connected life. She appeared to live the kind of life many of…
Thirty days of awe: An Invitation to “magic” Notice the quiet wonders that help settle a restless mind by Sheri McGregor, M.A. Yesterday morning, a blue heron walked past my bathroom window. Toothbrush in hand, I held my breath and watched as he walked earnestly, beak pointed straight ahead. This time of year, the gophers…
Recently, I sent out one of my newsletters and immediately began receiving replies about the links. Subscribers were getting “site not secure” messages whenever they clicked through. Uh-oh. What’d I do wrong? Embarrassed, I felt a flush of heat on my face and reminded myself what was happening in my brain. A short circuit that’s…
by Sheri McGregor, M.A. September, with its changing light and cooler air, marks a shift between physical seasons as well as a change of rhythm or pace for life. It’s a threshold, a crossing that shifts us from one season, into another. I see it in the shorter days, the falling acorns, and the spider…
Is an inciting incident keeping you stuck? by Sheri McGregor, M.A. Sometimes, a single incident can wield such a strong blow that the course of our life is changed. Fiction writers call this an “inciting incident.” In a satisfying story, the hero/ine heeds the “call to action” (another writerly term), and the story unfolds to…
Making decisions: Confronting your “yes, but” Procrastination By Sheri McGregor, M.A. Some years ago, in an empowerment and brainstorming group, one member asked for ideas but shot them all down with replies that began with, “Yes, but . . .” No matter how many ideas were tossed her way, she had an excuse why nothing…
Something to Look forward to By Sheri McGregor, M.A. Since moving to the Sierra foothills after living my whole life in Southern California, I can relate better to the gloomy days of winter, the bitter cold, rain, and ice of harsher weather locales. As I scrape ice off my windshield in the morning, don a…
Learning to Move Freely By Nola Obee You’ve heard the advice to exercise and some of you take it for granted. For others it’s just another should. No matter which group you belong to, the Feldenkrais Method movements may be something you want to do. Feldenkrais is a set of movement lessons (and there are…
By Sheri McGregor, M.A. The New Year excites me. Everything is possible. There’s a fresh clean slate—and what you put on it is up to you! If you read that with a frown, turn it upside down. Seriously. Studies show that just going through the motions of smiling makes you feel better. That’s because it…
