Mindful Minimalism is choosing to notice and be aware of what you need and want in your life.

Consciously deciding what is most important.

And then letting go of the visual and emotional noise and distraction of everything else.

I wanted peace, love, and connection. So I shifted and offered space.

I showed up connecting and peacefully- as if we had all the time in the world for us to move forward.

And I showed up with love. Not just in my mind but in my actions. With a hug and telling him I loved him.

And then….

It takes more than trying or wishing things were different. It can start with one deep breath but to truly shift it takes more than listening to a drop-in session or attending a single yoga session. It takes stepping out of old patterns and learning a new way. And then “practicing ” it regularly.

When the work of transformation comes from a place of love and inspiration the toll feels less costly. The results often feel so good that the “toll” fades quickly and/or is hardly appreciated.

Another toll road that we often discount is the one where we don’t make a change. Not doing the work and staying stuck also has a cost. This road is the one we most often don’t appreciate as having a toll.

Breathing deeply and channeling my inner zen and buoyancy. Even on round 3 of parenting a teenager -as a wise pediatrician with mindfulness and coaching tools deeply rooted within — the journey is a journey.

Using attention intention and a soft mindful focus, I fully experienced and savored every moment. I noticed and appreciated every flower, view, and green rolling hill. I sat on so many perfectly placed rocks.

This reflection was inspired by a photo of a snail posted by someone on facebook.

The caption read: “practicing moving through the world slowly.” I have never liked snails— when I was a kid my mom made me remove them from her orange trees by the plastic bagful. This photo of a snail on a leaf was beautiful and technicolor. To be able to see beauty in a snail photo took me aback.

When transforming, and becoming and unbecoming, is approached NOT from a place of pushing or throttling, but from a place of gentleness and kindness to self, a place of embracing who you are, where you have been and how far you have come — that’s where the magic happens.

I had the best vacation this week. I say this not to brag. But to share the secret. And to my dear family who reads this please don’t take offense. It is a reflection on being human and my own evolution...not on any of you.

Allowing yourself to shine is a gift to yourself and the world. This concept was and is key to my ongoing life transformation. I initially learned it through coaching. It has become an integral part of my life through practice. It was very uncomfortable to start.

Yoga on Saturday was about being “with yourself.”

Practicing it and enjoying it. Noticing how you feel. Noticing what's happening inside.

Happy National Doctors Day to all my colleagues in medicine. I am deeply committed to supporting all of you. Supporting you has been my passion since I was a chief resident in 2001. I never understood why the culture of medicine does not encourage taking care of its healers and taking care of each other as healers.

If you are "addicted to worrying", you are in good company. What could your life look like if you stopped this bad habit? Just like other addictions, it comes at a GREAT cost.

This past week I have all of sudden gotten many questions about my career pivot. How could I make a change away from something with so many benefits - for me and for others? Why would I do that? What was wrong with it?

When to stay and when to make a change. A mindful grounded approach to pivots, transitions, and next steps. Decide from clarity, not scarcity.