59. What Other People Think is None of My Business

64. The Dog Days Of Summer

Have you ever wondered where the phrase "dog days of summer" actually came from? In this episode I share the surprising origin of that expression and connect it to Aesop's fable of the North Wind and the Sun. After complaining about the heat I share the importance of warm kindness to one another.

63. Fear is a Liar-Especially When Climbing Rocks

Fear has a way of making things seem so much bigger than they really are. In this episode I share what I learned watching my grandkids rock climbing and relating that to how fear has kept me from many opportunities in my own life. I also share how our imaginary fear is the worst fear of all. Fear is a liar.

62. The Beauty of Doing Nothing

This Independence Day I gave myself the gift of doing absolutely nothing — just me, my porch, and a good book. In this episode I share that after a busy few weeks spending time alone was just what I needed.

61. Twisted Thoughts That Keep Us Stuck

In this episode I review Dr. David D. Burns' ten cognitive distortions or the twisted thought patterns that keep us stuck in negativity, self-doubt, and emotional pain. I share examples of each one so you can start recognizing them in your own thinking. Awareness is the first step to freedom, and I think this episode is going to open your eyes to just how sneaky these thought patterns can be.

60. When Thoughts Run Wild

This week while pruning my espalier apple trees I had an unexpected insight, untended thoughts grow just like unruly branches, spreading in directions we never intended. I share what Queen's University in Canada researchers discovered about "thought worms" and how we experience thousands of thoughts a day — many of them repetitive and negative. I also talk about the brain's default mode network, why we get stuck in mental loops, and how mindfulness, focused attention, and deep breathing can help us take back control. I share examples from my own life and give you practical ways to start pruning your own mental garden.