Category: wellness

Valentine's Day Thoughts & Self-Care in the Pandemic

Mindful Center for Disease Control guidelines shift traditional Valentines Day and life during a pandemic. We embrace homemade cards and more quiet time from a safe distance. We acknowledge the stress as love may seem hidden. Nobel Peace Prize recipient and spiritual leader Dalai Lama suggests, “In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
February 14, 2021 at 9:19 am • 

This Halloween, we shall stay safe, reflect & do better

Bruce Springsteen’s new song “Ghost” from his album, “A Letter to You” soothes our hurting world. Bruce inspires, “I hear the sound of your guitar. Coming in from the mystic far the stone and the gravel in your voice come in my dreams and I rejoice.” We can reflect, act, do better. Bruce acknowledges pain,... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
October 25, 2020 at 9:36 am • 

Christopher Robin & Winnie-the-Pooh Speak to Loss & Covid Pandemic

Life events, simple pleasures, hard times, and moments of joy continue during the Coronavirus Pandemic. This week, our family grieves the passing of a loved one, my husband’s cousin. She died of a brain hemorrhage. We mourn with her children, parents, and grandmother. Sentiments from our recent family movie, Goodbye Christopher Robin, ring true. Christopher Robin’s childhood coming... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
August 16, 2020 at 4:29 pm • 
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Wisconsin's natural charm sparks hope & wonder during pandemic

We cross winding rivers 100 miles from our Chicago concrete urban space. Bright city lights fade as Midwestern neighbors and Wisconsin loved ones social distance. Faded rustic farmhouses dot our horizon. Green pastures calm our pandemic angst. Towering maples and oak trees guide us along cobbled roads. Our boys run through open fields surrounded by lake and creeks. They... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
July 5, 2020 at 4:34 pm • 

We grieve, empathize & listen this end of school year

Profound teachable moments among world events overshadow Coronavirus news, risks, and fleeting frustrations of home learning. Today, our boys grieve the horrific death of George Floyd and so many other victims of racial injustice and police brutality. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. We pause as we... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
May 31, 2020 at 11:22 am • 

Shelter in place work life response & reality for Covid-19 pandemic

Each person and family experiences this chaotic and uncertain shelter in place from their unique perspective. Staggering facts, about physical and mental illness, financial hardship and unemployment, take our breath away. Together, we grieve and grasp moments of joy and extra time. Thanks to my husband, nine-year-old and seven-year-old boys, sis, parents, family, friends, coworkers,... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
April 23, 2020 at 8:29 pm • 
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The best piano teachers reinforce mindfulness

Our 3rd grader started piano lessons four years ago. His lovely teacher Julia Hardin’s weekly lessons inspire mindfulness and more. She leads with the example of her own perfect posture, engaged attention and body awareness. Remarkable piano teachers help their youth improve executive functioning skills, including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control, which support mindfulness.... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
February 21, 2020 at 8:49 am • 

New Year thoughts this 2020

New Year thoughts this 2020
The words, “Awkward, brave and kind,” that Brené Brown writes we should embrace in 2020, resonate. They evoke inspiration and aspiration to cultivate wellness with healthy habits. We work to live with intention and grace to grow with change.  It feels scary to take positive action. I felt mortified that I finished last among my friends at the... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
January 12, 2020 at 9:39 am • 

One of the best Chicago elementary schools, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy

One of the best Chicago elementary schools, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy
To paraphrase the novelist Paul Theroux, “We can’t make our kids’ school days or years longer, but we can strive to make them better.” Thankfully, our boys’ Chicago elementary school community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy models love and kindness. Data demonstrates how Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, OLMCA, is one of the best... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
September 22, 2019 at 5:33 pm • 
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Back-to-school summer musings

We excavated “summer goals” buried under folders, gym clothes, Pokemon cards, and paper air planes from one of our boy’s school bags toward the end of the 2019 school year. Our boy wanted to reconnect with old friends, scheduled to visit from other time zones, make new buddies, and read more. I humbly cringe at... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
August 19, 2019 at 8:23 pm •