Easy Steps to Decrease Stress
Stress sneaks into all of our lives, sometimes without us even realizing it. For me, stress can show up on the days when my calendar feels too full or when I am pulled in many directions between family, work, and school. Over the years, I have learned that there are small, realistic steps I can […]
Welcome To October
October always feels like a fresh chapter. The air cools, leaves begin to change, and new rhythms settle in. For me, October wellness means slowing down just enough to notice the beauty around me and making small rituals that keep life balanced. One of my favorite traditions is painting pumpkins with my family. The laughter, […]
Gifts of Gratitude
Gratitude holds quiet power: a gentle reflection of self-care. This personal gift helps us grow and thrive, especially during challenging times. For me, gratitude started showing up in the smallest of ways. A sip of warm tea on a cool morning. The weight of my cat, Snowflake, curled up by my side. Hearing my children […]
Mindfulness, Music, and the Symphony of Childhood
The first notes of music often capture a child in ways words cannot. A gentle melody can quiet restless thoughts, while a playful rhythm can spark joy and movement. When children begin to explore music, whether by listening or by learning an instrument, they step into a mindful practice that strengthens attention, patience, and creativity. […]
Mindfulness and the Power of Arts Access for All Children
Mindfulness is more than a quiet practice. Mindfulness is a way of being that invites presence, creativity, and compassion. For children, the arts provide a natural doorway into this state of awareness. When a child sings, paints, dances, or acts, the child becomes fully immersed in the moment, exploring self-expression and learning how to connect […]
Small Wellness Habits For Lasting Change
Wellness often feels overwhelming. There are countless programs, products, and routines promising quick results, which can make it difficult to know where to begin. Many people believe that real change requires dramatic shifts. In truth, the habits that truly last are usually the smallest ones. Small habits create momentum. A glass of water in the […]
Mindful Parenting Is Not “Perfect” Parenting
Parenting comes with many challenges, joys, and unexpected turns. Let us be clear: no parent is perfect, and there is no ingredient that constructs “perfect” parenting. What we can do is try our best each day. We know the daily grind: school schedules, work responsibilities, and the constant stream of advice from books, social media, […]
Every Day Meditation: Simple Practices To Try
Meditation is often pictured as a person sitting in silence for an hour with complete stillness of mind. That is certainly not me, let alone not having that time. Such an image may feel out of reach for many of us living with work, family, and daily responsibilities. Meditation does not have to be complicated, […]
My Most Grateful Role: Deb Cleveland Gudema on her working relationship with Rabbi Merle E. Singer
Six years have passed since our temple’s Executive Director introduced me to Rabbi Merle E. Singer and his beloved wife, Myra, of blessed memory. What began as a simple meeting in late 2019 became the start of a partnership that continues to guide my days with purpose. Rabbi and I formed an immediate connection. Our […]
Oils for Emotional Support
This is the excerpt for a featured content post.