Most of us have heard of “the placebo effect,” the heal-inducing effect patients in clinical trials experience when they believe they’re getting a fancy new drug or surgery but are actually getting fake treatment. The placebo effect is real, it works about 18-80%...
For those of us in the United States, today is a day of giving thanks, of counting our blessings, of expressing gratitude, of remembering how far we’ve come. But even if you live elsewhere, I invite you to give thanks not just today, but every day. It’s no accident...
“Mama… I’m BORED.” “You have an entire bedroom full of toys, a whole art table full of art supplies, a hundred books you could read, and four kids in the neighborhood dying to play with you. How can you possibly be bored?” It’s enough to make every mom roll her...
Please. I beg of you - STOP. Stop pulling all-nighters in the quest for the straight A’s that will earn you the title of valedictorian. Stop pushing yourself so you can make it to nationals and maybe one day win an Olympic gold. Stop coming in at 6am and staying...
I recently met with a group of doctors who gather at Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen’s house monthly to discuss a variety of topics and seek meaning in medicine and in the human experience. The topic of the month was “Safety,” our quest for it, our desire for it and, as we...
Colorado teen Jarell Brooks just wanted to see a movie about superheroes. He didn’t realize, as he entered the fated theater in Aurora to see the latest Batman movie, that he was about to become one. The 19 year old was ready to high-tail it outa dodge when the...
My six-year-old Siena just finished her school year, and on the last day of school, her adorable little Waldorf school in Sausalito held a performance to showcase the musical talents of the children. Six-year-olds who had only been playing the violin for six...
When I wrote The Story Of An Imperfect Woman, I ran it by my hubby to get his blessing since it referred, not only to my quirks and imperfections, but to his. He gave me his blessing, but then he said, “I’m not sure it’s such a good idea to tell everyone all of...