Author: Laurie S. Jacobson

A graduate of Boston University with a degree in psychology, Laurie S. Jacobson is a writer and Certified Health Coach fascinated by the Buddha’s teachings. At age twenty-six, she traded city life for the peace of the rural Pennsylvania mountains, and opened Lifetime Wellness. Her work in the natural health field has been featured on television, radio, and local and national magazines and newspapers. Currently, she enjoys a quiet, simple life in Virginia. Her new memoir, Unexpected Awakening: 22 Days at a Buddhist Monastery is available on Amazon. You can find her at www.lauriesjacobson.com.

Golden Days, Golden Years of Gratitude

Throughout my life, spring was by far my favorite season of the year. Until now. This year, for a reason I don’t completely understand, there’s been a shift in my perspective. The grandeur and magnificence of fall with its vivid, spectacular foliage—seemingly more brilliant and glorious than the year before—has captured my heart and changed my mind.

A Neglected Key to Longevity

At this point in my life, my number one health goal is longevity. It’s the most frequent health topic I Google. (How to reduce postmenopausal belly fat comes in a close second.) Being a health-conscious midlife woman and Certified Health Coach, I make it a point to keep up with the current research, advice, and science regarding nutrition, exercise, and emotional wellbeing. The current expert health advice for us midlife women is to consume more protein and build muscle for metabolic health and longevity.

The Ebb and Flow of Starting Over

I’m finally returning to myself. It’s been a long, painful, and exhausting several weeks. The day after my birthday I woke up coughing so violently I thought I was going to throw up. Not a pleasant way to welcome age 65! For someone who hardly ever gets sick, this was a rude awakening. My first response was a mixture of irritation and incredulity. How could this have happened to me? I make it a point to take care of myself. I eat a healthful diet. I’m an active woman. In fact, I’d just started a structured exercise program after healing from an injury, and was feeling strong and energized. I manage my stress (as best I can during these unprecedented, chaotic, and divisive times.)

Cultivate the Opposite

Many years ago, during a terribly dark time in my life, I traveled to a Buddhist monastery searching, hoping, and praying for answers to end my suffering. I spent hours at a time meditating on a hard cushion, and listened to monks explain the Buddha’s teachings. Unexpectedly, I left with clarity, an open heart, and the courage to forge a new and better life.

The Magic Power of Walking

I’ve maintained a loving relationship with walking my entire adult life. I can’t identify what it is exactly that draws me so strongly to move my body through space, but it’s akin to the feeling of hunger.

Lessons from the Great British Baking Show

I've pretty much given up making New Year's resolutions. They never pan out long-term, and I usually end up berating myself for failing to reach my annual self-improvement goals. I blame my lack of discipline, my inability to finish things, my laziness, or my lackluster commitment. This year, however, I'm taking a radically different approach.

Focus on What You Love

Recently, a headline popped up in my news feed that made me think seriously about a possibility I'd considered only once before in my life: moving to another country.

Flex an Often Neglected Muscle

When I decided to publish a web site, I wasn't merely skeptical about my ability to accomplish this seemingly impossible technical feat, I was absolutely certain there was no way I could do it myself. I am not a "tech-savvy" person nor do I have a desire to be.