Tyra Garlington | Tyra Garlington

Moments of Mindfulness: “And They Call it Puppy Love”

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Inspired by the pandemic crisis, this 1970s love song title means something fun and new to me. About two months ago I fell in love. It was sudden and it was powerful. His cuteness came into view about a half a block away. I stooped down on one knee and whispered loudly, “Are you a Westie?” I knew Puppy Otis heard me because he immediately began to run to me, dragging his humans out of their leisurely walk. Puppy Otis panted as he ran, “There is Miss Tyra! She looks like she needs a hug, and I have one. I……
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Moments of Mindfuless: For the exhausted and overwhelmed.

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Sometimes when I feel exhausted and overwhelmed about an inconvenient reality, I search for meaning or perspective or affinity in the thoughts of others. Last week I wandered into these words that worked for me. “Our belonging to each other can’t be lost, but it can be forgotten. The life-giving link between vulnerability and courage has been discovered in recent days of the uncomfortable, We must walk through this crisis of our life together because we can move beyond it: with strong backs, soft fronts, and wild hearts.” – Brené Brown “Not too long ago it was assumed that clean……
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Moments of Mindfulness: Everybody has one, many of us are.

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Although motherhood related celebrations have existed for thousands of years, it was President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 who officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States. Mother is our first intimate relationship, first friend, and teacher. She is created with special powers. She has eyes in the back of her head, can hear through walls, and can catch us before we fall. Her love is the launchpad for all kinds of promise. “Super-her-o” mother understands what her children do not say, makes a scraped knee better with a kiss, and gives hugs that last……
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Moments Of Mindfulness: Back to Normal?

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

So, today I am intrigued by the term “back to normal”. Apparently, a lot of folks are in a big hurry to get there. However, science tells us, humans experience time moving forward. Perhaps the answer lies beyond the words. Perhaps normal is code for what we knew, and back refers to when we were comfortable and in control? What do you think? Regardless, our nation’s normal contains a variety of inconvenient truths. We have veterans who fought to preserve our beautiful lifestyles living in homes made of cardboard. We have children who not only go to school to learn……
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Moments of Mindfulness: History is paying us a visit.

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

This week I received a not so gentle email reminder of the timeless nuance of history. It included newspaper clippings from the early 19th century. Women sat at typewriters working while wearing face masks and gloves. People gathered at a market to buy and sell necessities all wearing facial masks. Of course, I was drawn to the women’s picture- frame hats and how creatively they had fashioned a stylish face mask to wrap around the hat. If was also a reminder of our inconvenient truth of today. But alas, a light in the darkness! The poem “This is Timeless…” was……
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Moments of Mindfulness: YES? NO? MAYBE?

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

I was shocked this week to hear a media personality choose to respond to the devastating number of coronavirus deaths among the elderly with these words, “Well, they were on their way out anyway.” My anger jumped up and screamed at the TV talking head. My behavior reminded me that the pandemic not only steals lives, and that if I am not careful, it can also pierce my peace. I escaped the moment and remembered this reality: YES, we are in this crisis together. NO, our responses to it are not and will not be the same. However, MAYBE if……
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Moments of Mindfulness: In Times Like These

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Today, in my solitude, I wonder about us, you and me. It seems our biggest challenge is how to be here now. To survive, we may have to make room for the new. I’m not talking about cleaning out our closets, I am talking about the transformation of our minds. We can no longer be bound by yesterday. I found words from author Iyanla Vanzant, in her 2001 book, Faith in the Valley, echoing my perceived need for transformation. “As a result of this divinely ordered event, you are no longer held in hostage to what was. All dreams, goals,……
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Moments of Mindfulness: Be Encouraged!

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

I went to sleep one night and woke up to a different world. It’s been easy to maintain the ordered physical distance during my daily walks because my only companion is my reflection in the darkened windows of offices and shops. However, it’s been tough to watch the usually frisky neighborhood dogs walking their humans with gloomy, subdued steps. It’s like this mean old “invisible virus enemy” has stolen their spirits as it tries to take away our lives. But wait! This is a time where our memories can become useful weapons. Remember the fight of your life, the second……
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Reflect, Restore, and Reposition with Nora Neal-Daggett.

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

When Tears Have Voice With fifty years of Nursing experience, 43 in Nursing management, Nora exudes profound, compassion, and, deeply cares for the hearts of those experiencing loss through the death of a husband, parent, child or divorce! Nora exemplifies a story of total transformation! Just imagine the caterpillar… how it is transformed from an ugly blob -into one of God’s most beautiful creatures! Nora can help you transform your current state of mourning, sorrow, pain, and grief into hope and eventually joy! If you have experienced loss and/or are having trouble navigating grief, you will feel empowered, encouraged, and inspired by author, speaker,……
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Moments of Mindfulness: We are isolated, but not alone.

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Today we fight not one, but two enemies. The invisible pandemic enemy and the enemy within. We are stuck between our no longer and our not yet. Stuck looks and feels like anxiety, depression, anger, and emotional isolation. Stuck makes it hard to know who and how to trust. And yet, we are not defeated. We have individual thoughts and words, the most powerful weapons of all. What if we used their positive energy to wage war on the enemy within, the one few are talking about, our mental well being? Someone said, “The virus attacks the lungs, but we……
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