I am preparing for the third of four mindfulness workshops with an exceptional team of early childhood educators. Each session is a reminder of something I see repeatedly across professions: deeply capable, values-driven people are often running on internal systems that are exhausting them.

Educators, leaders, healers, and high-capacity professionals are not lacking motivation. In fact, many are over-motivated—driven by pressure, self-criticism, and a belief that rest or gentleness must be earned. Mindfulness invites us to pause long enough to ask a different question: How are we motivating ourselves, and at what cost?

The Hidden Cost of Harsh Self-Motivation…

Empty nesting is often described as a milestone accomplishment that reflects years of caregiving, sacrifice, and devotion. Yet it is also a profound emotional transition for parents. This is the paradox of empty nesting: pride and grief often arrive together.

The Emotional Landscape of the Empty Nest Stage…

Image from @thdrkqwn

The beginning of a new year often brings heightened pressure—to feel better, perform better, and accomplish more. For many individuals living in Glendora and surrounding Foothill communities, this pressure can quietly intensify anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. When reflection on the past year brings disappointment or a sense of falling behind, anxiety frequently surfaces. (Click for more)

Beautiful Image from Josh Boot

(Image by Noah Samuel Franz@noach by Unsplash)

Warmth Makes Connection Possible

As we enter the busy holiday season, it becomes increasingly important to slow down and offer yourself a gentle dose of warmth. Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of facilitating workshops on Christian mindfulness and mindfulness practices in general—each designed to help individuals prepare emotionally and spiritually for the weeks ahead.

The purpose of these workshops is simple but deeply needed: to help people build capacity within themselves. That means learning how to value your own time, energy, and efforts while also creating the mental and emotional space necessary to navigate the holidays with clarity and compassion…. (click for more)

What is your ideal way to start your day?
Is it harried, rushed, and running out of time? Do you find yourself sitting down already feeling behind, disorganized, and wondering what to do next?

If so, you’re not alone. Many of us unintentionally “arrive” at work, church, or family commitments already depleted.

But there’s another way. (click for more)

In my years of researching burnout and mindfulness, I’ve discovered that burnout is far more complex than long hours or heavy workloads. It is deeply personal,

Burnout isn’t failure, it might actually be God’s invitation to become rooted…(more)

In today’s polarized and hurting world, emotional numbness or hardened hearts can feel like the only way to survive. But as a Christian therapist, I believe there’s another way—one that invites us to engage with life and others more compassionately, even when it's hard.

Cultivating warmth—especially for those who challenge or even hurt us—is not just emotional work; it’s spiritual work. It’s the daily act of following Christ, staying soft-hearted, and choosing to love in the face of division. This isn't easy for me, and I know it’s not easy for my clients either. But it is necessary. (Click for more on why this matters).

In my work as a therapist in the San Gabriel Valley, I’ve seen how healing often begins with understanding and reclaiming our identity—especially for Asian American women. The term Asian American may appear to be a singular category, but in reality, it reflects an incredibly diverse and layered experience—shaped by immigration, cultural history, spiritual traditions, and societal expectations.

In this post, I invite you to reflect on what it means to approach your Asian American identity mindfully—embracing your story with gentleness and curiosity, so you can live more freely in the present. (click for more)

In high-stress environments—especially those shaped by the emotional and mental demands of an academic year or service-based roles—teams often carry unseen burdens. Fatigue, burnout, and disconnection can quietly accumulate. What’s often missing isn’t more productivity hacks or to-do lists, but a deeper sense of connection: to self, to one another, and to purpose.

That’s where mindfulness-based team trainings come in. (Please scroll for more)

Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or disconnected from the people around you? If so, you’re not alone—and you’re not without tools. One of the simplest yet most powerful practices you can begin today is meditation. But why should we be meditating? And what are the actual benefits we can expect to see, both inwardly and outwardly? (click for more)

An existential crisis can be pragmatic and a healthy starting point to assess where you spend your time and energy and recommit to a reinvigorated, and transformative future.

Mindfulness and Anti-Aging: A Vital Practice for Perimenopausal Women

Aging is inevitable, but how we age is largely within our control. In recent years, the focus has shifted from merely looking younger to embracing longevity, vitality, and overall well-being. For perimenopausal and menopausal women, this shift is even more crucial as hormonal changes impact both physical and emotional health. While exercise, nutrition, and sleep are well-known factors in healthy aging, one often-overlooked key to a vibrant life is emotional balance through mindfulness.

The Role of Mindfulness in Anti-Aging….click for more

Image by @rcrazy

When we can come back to the basics of mindfulness practice, we start by re-balancing and healing ourselves. Then, we can engage with the world and relate to others with compassion, empathy, while also holding space for our own disappointments, fears and worries. It is a both/and. Click for more….

Fight Response: In times of challenge, like election season, feeling a drive to fight for justice is a powerful response. Cultivating a mindfulness practice can help channel this energy effectively, bringing clarity to our actions

The gap between achievement and happiness is about a lack of conscious awareness of one’s internal world, and skillful change. People who like the intense but fleeting feelings that follow achievement may not have a strong, resilient sense of self.

They chase that brief moment of joy, and then lose sight of who they are becoming. Soon enough, high and serial achievers may evolve into someone they don’t recognize. (click to read on)

As the golden days of summer begin to wane, August offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on how we've embraced our summer values. This introspective process not only helps us make the most of the season's final weeks but also prepares us for a purposeful transition into fall. Let's explore how to identify and nourish your summer values, ensuring a fulfilling end to this sun-soaked season.

Understanding Summer Values

Summer values are the principles and experiences we prioritize during this vibrant time of year. They often include: (click for more)

Understanding the Impact of Political Stress

In today’s world, it’s impossible to ignore the constant barrage of political news and events. These happenings can be overwhelming, causing significant stress and anxiety. Our brains, bodies, and souls naturally seek patterns of stability to signal safety and rest. When these patterns are disrupted by political turmoil, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care to maintain mental and emotional well-being…(click for more)

Navigating Menopause with Mindfulness: Finding Peace Amidst Change

The transition into perimenopause and menopause is a significant life stage marked by numerous psychological and physical changes. This period can often feel overwhelming, leading to moments where you question your reality, sense of self, and overall stability. Common symptoms like night sweats, insomnia, and a general sense of unease can exacerbate anxiety, leaving you feeling lost and confused (click for more)…