Search Results for: Lauren Jonik

Mary Had a Little Poem: Reflections on Mary Oliver

by: Lauren Jonik The sound of water rushing over the large, grey boulders that dotted the creek just outside punctuated the stillness. A faint light from a room adjacent to the yoga studio was the only source of illumination. As I lay on my back, surrounded by six other people and exhausted by the effort of my practice, my inhalations deepened. My muscles relaxed deeply into the thick, tan beach towel beneath me—I didn’t yet own a proper yoga mat….

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Thank You: Notes

by: Lauren Jonik Autumn is a time of harvest—of gathering up the fruits of the year’s labor. It typically is a time when we come together to acknowledge the nourishment before us. A recent conversation with a friend sparked me thinking about how closely the concept of abundance is linked to impermanence. My friend mentioned that one day, she likely would be going to her children’s homes for Thanksgiving instead of them coming to hers. It would be different. So…

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We Voted. Now What?

by: Lauren Jonik The 2018 mid-term election season in the United States generated a considerable amount of buzz both on social media and on conventional media outlets. The message was clear: VOTE. But, after doing our civic duty, what comes next? Here are several ideas for how to remain an active, engaged citizen long after you’ve peeled off the “I Voted” sticker from your clothes. There is only one team So often, the narrative around politics becomes “us” versus “them.”…

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Interior Designs: How Home Shapes Us

by: Lauren Jonik Dena stood in the corner of the bathroom with a sledgehammer in her hand and a smile on her face. The pale pink bathtub and the ceramic tiles on the wall soon would be gone. As I scrolled through her photos, I wondered if it was a good idea that she and I had become Facebook acquaintances— I didn’t know her well enough to consider her a friend in any real sense of the word. My family…

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Refresh Rewind: Sickness and Health

by:  The Refresh Editors Have you ever rolled your eyes at the health coverage you see in magazines or online? If you’re tired of reading cheery listicles of health tips that don’t take chronic illness into account, or paeans to the latest trendy diet, TheRefresh is here for you with pieces that explore not just how to stay well, but how to live a full, rich life even as you face health challenges, and that honor the personal experiences of…

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