Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse

I am a survivor of narcissistic abuse (NA), and so I wanted to put a brief handlist together of the resources I have found most helpful in my ongoing recovery. First, a few caveats based on my experience: There’s a lot of content on the Internet about narcissism, NA, and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder,Continue reading “Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse”

Aikido and Rhetoric: Finding Balance Outside

Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all the vibrancy and fecundity of the earth.Continue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Finding Balance Outside”

Aikido and Rhetoric: Yin and Yang

Eight forces sustain creation:Movement and stillness,Solidification and fluidity,Extension and contraction,Unification and division. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace What opposes unites, and the finest attunement stems from things bearing in opposite directions, and all things come about by strife. Heraclitus, fragment 8 (Barnes) Aikido and rhetoric are both arts specifically designed to harmonize opposition, whichContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Yin and Yang”

Aikido and Rhetoric: As above, below

The Art of Peace functions everywhere on earth, in realms ranging from the vastness of space down to the tiniest plants and animals. The life force is all-pervasive and its strength, boundless. The Art of Peace allows us to tap into that tremendous reserve of universal energy. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace What weContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: As above, below”

Laziness and Efficiency

A friend and I were talking the other day about the word “lazy” and all the baggage it had in our families of origin. We were both from families that equated *doing* something all the time with virtue. We talked about the difference between resting and feeling unmotivated or exhausted. We talked about the differenceContinue reading “Laziness and Efficiency”

Letter of Recommendation: David Byrne’s Reasons to Be Cheerful

You’d be forgiven for thinking the world was going to hell in a handbasket–even if you just stick to mainstream news. That’s why David Byrne’s (yes, that David Byrne) Reasons to Be Cheerful newsletter really hit the spot for me. It’s all stories about really amazing things that people are doing around the world toContinue reading “Letter of Recommendation: David Byrne’s Reasons to Be Cheerful”

Aikido and Rhetoric: Emptiness

If you have notLinked yourselfTo true emptiness,You will never understandThe Art of Peace. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace This one of you, O human beings, is wisest, who, like Socrates, recognizes that he is in truth of no account in respect to wisdom. Plato, Apology As martial arts aimed at resolving conflict, both aikidoContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Emptiness”

Drama Queen: Word of Honor

So, after Rise of Phoenixes, I got sucked into another Chinese wuxia epic on Netflix, Word of Honor. There are several similar shows right now on Netflix themed around an epic bromance and/or love triangle (see also Untamed, Handsome Siblings, My Country), and I’d tried watching a couple of them and gotten all of 10Continue reading “Drama Queen: Word of Honor”