Author Archives: bonnevivantelife
‘Tis the Season of Joy, of Sadness, of Upside Down Doors
Today is the first day of Advent, and I’m staring at the Advent calendar cabinet I bought the year of my divorce. I love this cabinet. It’s a silver metallic wood cabinet with little mirrored numbered doors with tiny handles. … Continue reading
Posted in Empowerment, Meditation, Mindfulness
Tagged Advent, believe, courage, faith, life adversities, mystery, strength, trust
3 Comments
On Loss and Grief
Grief, my new constant companion, has moved in. I thought I’d take a good look at him since we’re spending so much time together now. And I’ve realized a few things. Grief is not sadness. I get sad when I … Continue reading
Just Show Up
A little over a year ago I decided I wanted to start dating again after a long hiatus, or a sabbatical if you will–because a sabbatical is rest from work. And dating is hard work. When I mentioned this to … Continue reading
Posted in Dating, Empowerment, Meditation, Mindfulness, Relationships
Tagged breaking up, courage, dating, end of relationship, grief, loss, relationships, vulnerability
3 Comments
Are You There God? It’s Me…
I went to church today. I know, normal people wouldn’t make that kind of proclamation, well, at all. Because it’s part of many people’s lives. I am, however, a wretched soul who has always been ambivalent about spirituality, faith, and … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, religion, spirituality
Tagged God, mindfulness, religion, spiritual awakening
7 Comments
Double Digits
My boy turns 10 today. I’ve been responsible for another human being for a decade now. I’ve managed to keep a life alive for 3,650 days. I can’t even keep a houseplant alive for a week. I don’t do a … Continue reading
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
Shame. You know I’m a big fan of Shame–dissecting it and putting it down, not being mired in it. I’ve talked a lot about this. You know I’m a huge cheerleader for feeling Enough and being Kind to myself. Much … Continue reading
Posted in Empowerment, Health Issues
Tagged beauty, body image, body shame, flaws, perception, shame
2 Comments
All We Need
“Faith, Family and Friends. That’s all you need in life. No wait, Love and Kindness too. That’s all you need in life,” declared my 7-year-old daughter. “What?!” I ask. We were out shopping for a frame to display her school … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, Parenting, religion, spirituality
Tagged all you need in life, faith, family, friends, kindness, love, priorities, values
2 Comments
Art of Living Through Yard Work
I maintain that home ownership is over-rated. If I had my druthers, I’d be living in a condo in the city. But alas, my ex-husband wanted to live in a house with a large yard and lots of mature trees. … Continue reading
Use Your Words
“The words you speak become the house you live in.”-Hafez I tell my kids all the time that words have meaning, choose them wisely, and use them. Use your words. They can hurt. They can heal. Words are powerful. Storytelling … Continue reading
Posted in Empowerment, Meditation, Mindfulness
Tagged community, connection, Hafez, Hafiz, reframing, storytelling, words, writing
2 Comments
Run Like a Girl
My 7-year-old daughter, we’ll call her La Chica, ran a 5K over the weekend. When I say ran, I specifically mean sprint, shuffle, scream, skip, scream, jog, scream, skip, scream, hobble, jog, scream. And when I say sprint, shuffle, jog, … Continue reading
Thrive Fully Creative 