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Guiding Light

Most folk who know me, know I lost my father when I was 14 years old.  However, before he passed, he shared a timeless secret with me—a practice that would shape my life in ways I could never have imagined. He didn't teach me meditation in the traditional sense, with incense and crossed legs. Instead, he showed me how to meditate by gazing at a lone light on the ceiling.  When I was very young, I had night terrors that would wake me in the middle of the night. I'm sure it was terribly frustrating to calm a child from that. But my father had the way. I never understood how he came to the practice. But over the years, I've come to understand that my father's unique approach to meditation was, in fact, a profound lesson in mindfulness and presence. In a nearly pitch black room, he would tell me to find a speck of light, not unlike a star. Then focus. He would say, "Just watch the light, like you're watching a story unfold. Be the observer, not the thinker." I
Recent posts

New Life

  It's weird, sad and slightly freeing. I've been headed towards a completely different life for a lot longer than I even knew. It took me a while to catch up to realize it was happening.  Thankfully, I was cognizant enough to see it finally and mostly ready for it. It's amazing when you have the rug completely pulled out from underneath you. The adjustments are jarring.  I made mistakes, but like most I learned from them, adapted, and tried my best to do better. The reason you see that truck next to a storage place? That's the sum of my life right now.  Never take for granted that you will work hard for something or someone, and it will end up meaning very little. You are guaranteed nothing, owed nothing, promised nothing. Anything and everything can be taken away in a heartbeat.  I wrote this to my kids a while back: I tried to be the best father I could be based on what I knew when I knew it and how I could. One of the lessons for your life needs to be: you need to b

Check out my appearance on the The Toddcast Podcast

Click and watch the podcast recording of my appearance on the Toddcast Podcast  Such a fun time! 

Thanksgiving 2020

 

The Necessity of Journaling

I've undergone a radical change in my life recently. I'll leave the details for another time, but needless to say- it was not entirely desired, anticipated, and completely different from the road I thought my life was going to be on for the better part of the last two decades. I've read tons of self-help articles. Watched myriad YouTube videos about self-compassion, self-love, self-care...  Three things have stood out in previous experiences and this one that have made a huge difference from the last time my life diverged as much as it has this time. 1. Mediation, self-reflection, is a total game changer. I did this before and it works. How you do it doesn't matter. There are plenty of places that talk about how, but the first time I knew this and it worked- which is probably why I am relatively sane this time around. 2. Completely different this time. I have my dog. Zuri, the yellow lab. She has been a life-saver in many ways, but the main is to illustrate and remind m

A #New365

Well, I was sort of looking for my NEW 365daysofHappyforTodd. I found it. Today, starts a new clock towards towards the end of another year. A New Year. I'll be kind, but for those that know- please help me celebrate.  I could get all #cliche and talk about #newme #startingover #yadayadayada But, I don't want to. I just want to commemorate. Not a lot of people looked or cared about #365DaysofHappyforTodd That's okay. I was doing it for me.  I would like your best "getting through" song though- that would be cool!  Just like this #NewTodd sounds lame right? 

Working Yourself Out of Job

I wrote this blog post a few years ago:  https://www.toddlyden.com/2011/06/my-job.html Wow, how times have changed. One has graduated from a radiology program is a gainfully employed human being. Amanda, keep doing what you do.  One is about to go to college for a program he loves with friends he loves. Josh, you are going to do GREAT things.   One is entering her second year of high school in one of the most turbulent times of ANYONE's life- and she is still one of the most caring and optimistic people I've ever met. I like to think as a parent I had a role in all of this.  In my old post, I describe being a parent as the toughest job you'll ever love. I love that I can say that these three made it easy.  The sad job about being a parent? You work yourself out of job. That kinda sucks. But look forward to being there for these awesome humans as they continue to do their best.  Will touch up my tattoo soon, but it like these guys isn't going anywhere soon