Riding The Waves

Category: Radical Acceptance

Meditation 101. How To Begin Without Feeling Totally Stupid.

About two years ago, I was pushing through days, feeling emotionally drained, when a dear friend invited me to join a group meditation. I had no idea what that even meant, but it sounded like something other people did, so I declined. A couple of months later, she invited me again. “What do you even do there?” I... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
June 11, 2018 at 6:42 pm •

The Climb. Finding Peace As I Walk Through Grief. Day 23 of 365

It turned out to be an exquisite day in so many ways — bright, sunny, warm and breezy — though it certainly didn’t begin that way. On that Saturday in May, a number of us were headed to Northern Wisconsin to witness the wedding of a dear friend, someone I’ve known, and with whom I have laughed, for... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
May 21, 2018 at 1:18 pm •

My First Poem. Day 19 of 365

The other night, just as I fell asleep listening to a podcast, the host shared this poem by Mark Nepo: Adrift Everything is beautiful and I am so sad. This is how the heart makes a duet of wonder and grief. The light spraying through the lace of the fern is as delicate as the fibers... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
May 3, 2018 at 4:20 pm •

Turkey Bacon: A Taste Of What It's Like When You Can't Do It All. Day 18 of 365

Ever have those times you wonder how it will all get done? I’m feeling that way right now. Big time. This feeling usually hits particularly hard in May, when it seems there’s SO much to do — and not enough time to do it. When my kids were little, the spring and early summer activities seemed to converge on the family calendar all... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
May 2, 2018 at 3:46 pm •

Embrace The Overwhelm. 5 Steps To Help Someone Bypass Depression. Day 15 of 365

About one month ago, I spent time with a lifelong friend. She’d been in great spirits as we caught up on each other’s lives, but then, without warning, she grew distant and quiet. She’s struggled with depression in the past, so I knew enough not to push. Instead, I busied myself and gave her plenty... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 27, 2018 at 2:21 pm •

Finding The In-Between. Day 8 of 365

Which life would you rather live? One filled with connections, activity, and motion? Or one of autonomy, calm, and stillness? Thankfully, we don’t have to choose one lifestyle over the other, since an authentic life isn’t black or white. And yet, what’s been happening in our country strikes me as profoundly so — this visceral sense of “we’re right” and... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 17, 2018 at 10:12 am •

On Becoming A Biographer. Day 7 of 365

For those of you who don’t know, I’m writing a biography about two people who are no longer alive. Though I can’t yet discuss who they are (I will, soon!), I can say it’s been a fascinating journey, researching these remarkable people and immersing myself in their history. I really look forward to sharing the project with you. Writing a biography has... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 15, 2018 at 5:28 pm •

Thank you, Joan Didion. Day 5 of 365

I recently finished Joan Didion’s The Year Of Magical Thinking, a memoir about love, loss and grief. I’ll confess, it might have been the first book I’ve read — word for word, cover to cover — in a couple of years. I’ve never been a fast reader — something I’ve often felt tremendous shame about. And though I love... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 12, 2018 at 8:00 am •

Hiding From A Gunman? What It Felt Like During An Active Shooter Emergency.

At 2:39 pm on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 14th, 2018, the students, faculty and staff of Northwestern University, near Chicago, received electronic alerts of a gunman on its campus. I was there when it all happened. Hours earlier, Northwestern students (and 90% [approximately 3,300] of students from nearby Evanston Township High School) participated in the first National... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
March 15, 2018 at 3:16 pm •

The 1993 Comstock, Michigan Amtrak crash. Reaching out, twenty-five years later, hoping to close old wounds.

I’m mailing the letters tomorrow, and I hope it’s the right thing to do. Twenty-five years ago, on March 10, 1993, I was involved in an Amtrak crash in Comstock, Michigan. One man, Nicholas Bakhuyzen, was killed. Another man, the train’s engineer, James Chiles, received 2nd degree burns on his face, head and arms. Despite Amtrak’s initial... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
January 28, 2018 at 7:05 pm •

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