Sometimes I like to wander around my gardens at night in the dark before going to bed.  Tonight I felt I needed the soothing hush of my flowers to help me fall asleep, so I practiced mindfulness while wandering around my flower beds and appreciating each and every bloom.  This is one of my favorite quieting practices before going to sleep.

I often prescribe qigong and meditation to my patients to enhance the effects of their acupuncture treatments. I usually meditate in the evenings, but lately I’ve felt like I need more, so I’ve been meditating for 10 or 15 minutes a few times a day and I added qigong to my morning yoga routine. During my practice this week I’ve been appreciating the light spring air breathing in through my windows and cleansing out all of winter’s stagnation. I’ve been immensely happy to enjoy my favorite meditation spot on the deck with my birch tree whispering to me while the finches flutter nearby. These daily practices really uplift me and give me more passion for my beautiful little life here as an acupuncturist.

I was really dragging this morning, so I went outside to sit on the deck for a few minutes and enjoy the sunshine. I only had about 15 minutes, so I sat in my chair, closed my eyes, and listened to the birds while breathing deeply. The sun was on my face and immediately I felt grounded and connected to the present moment. Now I have energy to go about my day with enthusiasm. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes every day to sit outside and relax. Such a simple thing can make a huge impact on your moods and energy.

I’ve been wanting to do a blog for a while, because I have all these thoughts that I want to share with the world. So here I am, ready to bare my soul for all to see. I hope you’ll find inspiration from the beautiful life I’ve created for myself on this small piece of land in St. Paul where I run my acupuncture clinic out of my 1912 home.

I love gardening because the feeling of my hands in the dirt keeps me grounded. I grow most of my own vegetables and fruits for half the year, and do a lot of canning to preserve the summer bounty. I go outside almost every day and meditate on the deck while listening to the wind whisper through my intertwined birch and apple trees (even in the winter). My family and community are everything to me. I love to travel and have been all over the world, including about 30 states, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Belize, Peru, Finland, Sweden, Fiji, Bali, Thailand, Tibet, and Nepal. I keep in touch with my family in Nepal and part of my heart is always there with them. I hope my stories will give you inspiration and make your life more beautiful.