Musings Archives - Amy Weintraub

The Courage to Love: An Antidepressant for Our Times

The Courage to Love: An Antidepressant for Our Times

What’s the antidote — the antidepressant — for the fear so many of us are carrying right now? The fear that shows up as anger, grief, or simple exhaustion? I think there are two medicines. The first is the courage to love. The second, in Anne Lamott’s words, is gratitude for all that remains. Lamott writes: “How do we shine a little brighter? Gratitude is brightening. Gratitude for all that remains, no matter how much the locusts have eaten, is a subversive act.” In a time when trust feels shaken and the things we learned about democracy seem less certain, that kind of brightness matters. It’s quiet, but it’s powerful. So how do we shine [...]

The Courage to Love: An Antidepressant for Our TimesAmy2026-02-11T11:54:46-07:00

On Listening

On Listening

As I write, we as humans on this planet are in the midst of holiday festivities—or perhaps a quieter, more contemplative time. As you read this, you may be in recovery from the holidays. I can’t help but notice what my inbox looks like this time of year, when “Primary” feels more like “Promotions,” and “Promotions” feels completely out of control. By sending my monthly(ish) newsletter, I realize I’m adding to that noise. What does that mean? Maybe it points to something universal: a need to be heard. The human cry goes up—just listen to me! (Though right now there’s also a lot of just buy me.) Despite broadcasting my thoughts here (yes, I see the irony), I want [...]

On ListeningAmy2026-02-11T07:58:50-07:00

Gratitude Isn’t Always Simple

Gratitude Isn’t Always Simple

For many, gratitude comes easily this week. For others, this season stirs up complicated memories — and both experiences are real. Some hurts are small and fade quickly; others shape us in profound ways. Even those deeper wounds can reveal surprising gifts when we’re ready to look at them. What Research Tells Us Much has been written about the uplifting effects of gratitude, making lists, counting our blessings, and some research shows that gratitude practices can reduce depression. When compared to neutral writing (journaling), the effect was small, but significant. So, it may help, especially in times of confusion and uncertainty, times like these. Reframing Changes Everything A technique I learned when I read The Goddess Within by Jungian psychologist Roger [...]

Gratitude Isn’t Always SimpleAmy2025-11-28T08:24:41-07:00

Awakening Through Depression ✨

Awakening Through Depression ✨

Who is the “I am” you tell yourself you are? What is your mission—your dharma, your raison d’être? The journey begins by discovering who this “I am” truly is. It isn’t as hard as it seems when you have tools that help clear the constrictions of story and mood. Even for a moment, you can glimpse your own true nature. True nature is called by many names in many cultures. But it is not just a concept. Thoughts and beliefs about true nature are still too small to contain it. True nature is a felt sense—wordless and profound. Paths and Silence My own journey of discovery has followed many paths. What they share is a settling into the silence [...]

Awakening Through Depression ✨Amy2025-10-15T11:13:38-07:00

Dancing Through Self-Limiting Beliefs

Dancing Through Self-Limiting Beliefs

Although I lived by the Atlantic Ocean for much of my adult life, I never learned to surf or sail. My childhood clumsiness created a self-limiting belief that followed me for decades—one I finally released through IFS and Yoga. I CAN'T SO I WON'T As a kid, being picked last for dodgeball was the norm. With athletic parents and an undiagnosed eye-muscle disorder, awkwardness on the playing field felt unavoidable. Labeled the “family klutz,” the safe choice became solo activities where no one else depended on performance—first dance, later yoga. Fast forward to today: in the early 70s, dancing is a joy-filled part of life. After years of believing partner dance was off-limits, Zydeco, Swing, and Salsa now prove [...]

Dancing Through Self-Limiting BeliefsAmy2025-09-07T18:42:41-07:00

When Outer Turmoil Moves Inside

When Outer Turmoil Moves Inside

Managing a Crisis - When Outer Turmoil Moves Inside... In a crisis, do you have a part that rises to the occasion, maybe even garnering praise from others for how well you are managing a major change? That’s certainly the case with me. That manager part kicks into action, and I feel focused and at the top of my game. There is neither time nor the desire for introspection or deep feelings. Then, when the outer turmoil subsides, what happens? If you’re like me, when things finally settle down, and I have the time to go inside, and that’s when the inner turmoil rises to the surface. Boy, it’s uncomfortable! But for me, it’s necessary. This is when [...]

When Outer Turmoil Moves InsideAmy2025-08-11T07:21:27-07:00

Decision Confusion…

Decision Confusion…

Lately, my path has been gnarly and shrouded in clouds, and I wondered if I should write you from a place of confusion. Although my practice keeps me balanced, somewhat focused, mostly grounded and feeling satisfied with my life, I was trying to make a major life decision, and it seemed out of reach. As I struggled not to distract myself too much with feel-good behaviors like dancing and walking in nature, or numbing-out behaviors like binging on chocolate, feelings of loss, grief and confusion revealed themselves. So, who am I to suggest a practice for clear-seeing, when a few days ago my go to's like meditating, praying, and journaling didn’t shine a light through my perplexity? It was already Saturday evening on the [...]

Decision Confusion…Amy2025-07-02T02:43:08-07:00

Testing Ourselves

Testing Ourselves

Are you drawn to test yourself—what’s my attachment style? What’s my personality type? What’s my enneagram number? What’s my astrological sign? What about testing measures like your mood, your memory, your intelligence, your grip strength, your push-up count? I can sometimes be found taking online surveys and consulting books on handwriting analysis and palm reading. It’s universal, I think, this desire to peg ourselves on the board—where do I stand? How do I compare? Self-knowledge is a good thing, if we don’t buy into the labels or let them define and limit us. We are so much more than a number on a scale. And it’s important to remember that no matter our label, our brains are malleable, especially, [...]

Testing OurselvesAmy2025-06-03T09:50:44-07:00

Getting Curious About Our Inner Critic

Getting Curious About Our Inner Critic

We all have an inner voice that constantly chatters in our minds, evaluating our actions, appearances, decisions -- sometimes making us feel unlovable or not good enough. My young Inner Critic was linked to feelings of shame, and as a teen this part named me Shamey-Amy! For most of us, the IC manifests as a harsh and judgmental force, undermining our self-esteem and hindering personal growth. Mark Twain said, “If we talked to our children the way we talk to ourselves, we’d be arrested for child abuse.” As that shamed-based being, I did what I knew to do -- I smiled nervously, and tried to keep my cool and radiate confidence, and I know you know: inwardly there she [...]

Getting Curious About Our Inner CriticLiz2023-08-21T12:51:00-07:00

Summer is Now – Say Yes!

Summer is Now – Say Yes!

Summer is Now! Dear Ones, As I write, I am running last minute errands and readying to depart the Southwest. Summer is NOW and... ROADTRIP! Though I'll miss my Arizona friends, soon I will cross our beautiful country again, camping and teaching and visiting new states... I am delighted with the possibility of new experiences, and nervous about crossing the midwest during peak tornado season. Yes, I take my practices with me; my favorite chants clear the way to meditation and prayer, and they prepare my days for wherever I find myself. Here's one for you to enjoy - short and simple: "the essence of summer". This bhavana meditation, incorporates sound and easy movement with garuda mudra. See if [...]

Summer is Now – Say Yes!Liz2023-05-16T17:14:57-07:00