“We can talk about mindfulness – intentionally paying attention to the present moment – conceptually for days but you have to experience it to really understand its essence,” I explained. [Shayna Kaufmann]
Being Mindful as the Havdalah Candle Flickers Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I’m answering emails and half watching the 2024 Emmy Awards on TV, mostly to see the fancy dresses and gorgeous humans. I gaze up from my laptop as Niecy Nash-Betts accepts her trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actress, proudly raises it to the sky, and yells “I’m a winner, baby!” Now, I am watching with my full attention. I see Niecy give a powerful, emotional acceptance speech, which includes a loud shout-out to an unusually recognized person. [Shayna Kaufmann]
Own Your Accomplishments; Give Yourself Credit Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USASo, what is the New Year’s wisdom from my fig tree? Its seasonal variations remind me that change happens gradually; that nature takes patience and time to produce its fruits – its goals. The tree is not making a resolution to produce a certain number of figs. It cannot. It is unable to control how much water it receives, unforeseen weather patterns, or the quantity and sweetness of the figs it will eventually yield. [Shayna Kaufmann]
New Year’s Wisdom from My Fig Tree Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Event organizers remarkably balanced an evening of much needed joy and community, while remaining present to and not diminishing the heaviness and heartbreak of the ongoing war in Israel. People swayed with their arms around each other during Havdalah and as we sang Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem. [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
Federation Fundraiser Mixes Sorrow and Joy Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Shayna KaufmannI almost chickened out doing a bucket list adventure which was right within reach. No, it wasn’t skydiving or bungee jumping (those will never ever be on my list). It was hiking up a river in sometimes waist-high cold water, on uneven rocks and boulders, in a magnificent gorge in Zion National Park (aka, The Narrows). It was on my must do list for years, long before two knee surgeries and the onset of my knee arthritis. This was not a knee friendly hike. Enter Fear 1: Would my knees handle the terrain? [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
Conquering Fears at Zion National Park Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Travel and Food, USABy Shayna Kaufmann, PhD SAN DIEGO — Four years ago, my now 20-year-old daughter Tara declared (not asked) that she was postponing college to do a gap year in Europe. She intended to work as an au pair in France in order to speak French, expand her horizons and have a culturally immersive experience. I
Embracing Your Heart’s Yearnings…Before It’s Too Late Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann
My “baby” daughter Maya graduated high school on a recent Friday. Woohoo! On Monday, she flew solo to Europe to visit her sister. Double Woohoo! In two months, she moves to Berkeley to start her next chapter as a University student. Woo…. Wait! What? Moving out? Completely launching? My husband and I becoming actual empty nesters? I’m not sure if I’m ready for this. I mean I knew this day would come but it always seemed so far down the road. And yet, here it is. Around the corner.[Shayna Gothard Kaufmann]
Cutting the ‘Umbilical Cord’: Letting Go Because You Have To Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann