The Brick Magazine - Page 2 of 66 - Ann Arbor inspiration for life, work, and home

NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM SPIRIT

Julie Palmer2020-05-30T12:37:16-04:00

Photo by Charlein Gracia on Unsplash By Marilyn Pellini Growing up in my neighborhood, sports were a big thing. All summer long, our moms shooed us out of the house early in the morning with one command: “Go play.” Even after school we went outside — not many kids back then had after-school lessons to attend — and homework was not usually given until middle school. I had a friend, Paula, who for three summers coerced me into forgetting games and sports and putting on plays with her. She was the writer, producer, director, and had the staring role, and I did [...]

NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM SPIRITJulie Palmer2020-05-30T12:37:16-04:00

IF PLEASURE WAS A SPORT…

Julie Palmer2020-05-30T11:57:25-04:00

Photo by Luis Quintero on Unsplash By Maria Sylvester, MSW, CPC If pleasure was a sport, would you practice it? To get good at most anything takes practice. Sports are one example of this. Many of us eagerly take this challenge on, especially if the sport we are interested in playing really matters to us. We commit time, energy, and focus to developing and enhancing both our muscles and our skill levels. Dedicating yourself to practicing and mastering a sport you value feels wonderful as you witness your talent and endorphins grow exponentially. The art of experiencing and cultivating deep pleasure in your [...]

IF PLEASURE WAS A SPORT…Julie Palmer2020-05-30T11:57:25-04:00

RE-FRAMING THE UGLY STUFF

Julie Palmer2020-05-30T12:13:43-04:00

Photo on Unsplash By Yvonne Heath It’s so easy for me to think about all of my flaws — what’s wrong in my life, what isn’t working — you know, the same old story. I often wonder why that is. Why do we jump to negative conclusions with such ease? Why is it so easy to criticize ourselves and hard to accept a compliment? What do we have to un-do or un-learn? Why are we so hard on ourselves? Because we... Listen to others who are negative Listen to our own inner critic Compare ourselves to others Try to be someone [...]

RE-FRAMING THE UGLY STUFFJulie Palmer2020-05-30T12:13:43-04:00

DRINK WHEN YOU’RE THIRSTY

Julie Palmer2020-05-30T12:27:32-04:00

Photo on Unsplash By Lisa Profera MD It seems logical, yet there’s a lot of confusing advice out there regarding proper hydration and electrolyte replacement when exercising. When I was at a CrossFit Health seminar last summer at CrossFit Headquarters in sunny southern California, the founder of CrossFit, Greg Glassman, put it very simply: Drink when you’re thirsty, don’t drink when you’re not. Thirst is one of our strongest survival instincts. We can ignore hunger for a period of time, but it’s more difficult to ignore the urge to drink. Our brains tell us to drink when receptors in our bodies sense [...]

DRINK WHEN YOU’RE THIRSTYJulie Palmer2020-05-30T12:27:32-04:00

THE MIND OF AN ATHLETE

Julie Palmer2020-05-31T11:27:11-04:00

Photo by Sam Balye on Unsplash By Fredi Baker The world has been settling into a new normal during the pandemic that most of us could never have imagined just a few months ago. Many of us are sitting on the sidelines, watching and cheering on the heroes providing for everyone’s essential needs. But even if we’ve been staying at home and following the protocols of social distancing, sheltering at home, etc. we are still helping in our own way. While it can be discouraging and disheartening at times, keeping in mind the big picture of a healthier world can make [...]

THE MIND OF AN ATHLETEJulie Palmer2020-05-31T11:27:11-04:00

SURRENDERING: THE ART OF FINDING DEEP PEACE

Julie Palmer2020-05-30T12:07:05-04:00

Photo by Piscilla du Preez on Unsplash By Morella Devost Some years ago, as the dream of a particular relationship was slipping through my fingers, I wrote a poem of agony that started like this: I know there's a way to transcend this I can feel the soft edges of illusion Surrender, you say Surrender? Surrender… Surrendering to the pain; the hopelessness... The dream that will never come true The solo dance, like the woman tonight In the middle of the barn Witnessed Alone… It was the heart of the years where I desperately wanted to find a soulmate, get married, [...]

SURRENDERING: THE ART OF FINDING DEEP PEACEJulie Palmer2020-05-30T12:07:05-04:00