Haragei: The Art of Unspoken Understanding

Haragei is a Japanese concept that gives us a lens through which we can view what is communicated silently between us. This profound non-verbal communication flows seamlessly in Japanese culture, defying easy translation or definition in other languages. Haragei embodies something deeper: a subtle art of feeling each other out without speaking, a means of “fitting each other” with eyes closed, in a darkness where … Continue reading Haragei: The Art of Unspoken Understanding

crisbiecoachNovember 16, 2024November 6, 202410 Comments

Creativity

The Gift of a Backstory

Disney announced they are releasing, Mufasa: The Lion King at the end of 2024. December 20th, to be specific. More than thirty years since the first release in this beloved series we are getting the backstory on Mufasa. How did he become one of the greatest leaders of the Pride Lands? Why was Scar so angry and cynical? I love backstories. They help me understand … Continue reading The Gift of a Backstory

Wynne LeonMay 1, 2024May 1, 202417 Comments

Random Thoughts

SnapDragon Speaks: On Knowing.

There are many things I do not know. Like what it takes to make a light switch work; or how many species of bird reside in my home state. I do not know advanced mathematic formulas; I do not know why the daffodils come back each spring. I’m just one person, with a single, yet unbelievable brain. Yet there is limited capacity. And I mess … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Knowing.

formerwritersMarch 23, 202155 Comments

Uncategorized

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Used.

I have a real thing about utility. When I lived in the city, and spent all my time at my boyfriend’s apartment, it bothered me that my own four walls just sat there, waiting. No one home. Cups and cookbooks, sweaters and bags of loose-leaf tea just sitting still, perhaps wishing for a sign of life. And now that we’re married, and have officially shared … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Used.

formerwritersNovember 3, 202027 Comments

Uncategorized

SnapDragon Speaks: To All The Friends I’ve Lost.

To All The Friends I’ve Lost: I simply want to say hello, although it’s been so many years. Because even as time performs its cruel, relentless dance, I still remember you. I remember us. I still laugh when I think of all our ridiculous jokes; how many fears, dreams and secrets we shared; how many times it felt like Us Against The Big Bad World. … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: To All The Friends I’ve Lost.

formerwritersOctober 12, 202036 Comments

Uncategorized

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Space Between.

I think there is great beauty in the space between: The space between sleep. The space between our brown-bagged lunches. The space between radio commercials. Life. It clicks by: In the flashes of headlights. The clanking of spoons. The aching of hands and feet. And no matter how hard we try, there is never enough time. If only we had a chunk of guaranteed solitude/money/focus/energy/inspiration … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Space Between.

formerwritersJuly 20, 2020August 19, 202054 Comments

Self-awareness

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Unwritten Page.

What is with us humans? Why do we have a tendency to trivialize other people’s problems, but when they happen to us, it’s the end of the effing world? We compartmentalize for our friends: Hey, at least you don’t have to worry about: the political nature of Academia; gas prices; sibling rivalry; no buffer zone; working in retail; limited vacation time; being too skinny; student … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Unwritten Page.

formerwritersMay 22, 202026 Comments

Self-awareness

SnapDragon Speaks: On Starting Over.

If I could start all over again, I’d only focus on my body being strong. The hell with the numbers. If I could start all over again, I’d go into meetings with confidence. I have a right to be here. If I could start all over again, I’d make more time for reading. For crafting. For being in bed. If I could start all over … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Starting Over.

formerwritersMay 9, 202054 Comments

Uncategorized

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Mess.

I interrupt your regularly-scheduled blog reading to say: SnapDragon is not okay. Well, wait. That’s an exaggeration. I’m all right. I guess what I mean is: I get scared. I get overwhelmed. I get burned out. Don’t get me wrong. All things considered, I live a very privileged life. Security. Love. Comfort. Creativity. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have worries, or that I don’t … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Mess.

formerwritersMay 1, 2020May 1, 202039 Comments

Random Thoughts

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Moment.

Yesterday I ate a piece of chocolate. Just a single square, wrapped in a golden foil. It had been chilled in the fridge. I like sweets this way. The cold and creamy sweetness danced on my taste buds. I savored it. For it was just another fleeting moment in time. . . . SnapDragon is an educator, writer, painter, and fan of life’s simple pleasures. … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Moment.

formerwritersApril 24, 202030 Comments

Self-awareness

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Mirror.

Like an elusive vapor, my reflection floats, then gently fades before my eyes. Like a favorite novel, its binding and its pages warp with the inevitable passing of time. Yet its story–its spirit–stays the same. . . . When I look in the mirror I see a woman on the cusp of her 34th year. I see curls. I see green eyes. I see skin … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Mirror.

formerwritersApril 4, 202015 Comments

Uncategorized

SnapDragon Speaks: On Being Vulnerable.

(sighs) Life. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. But there is beauty in the struggle, my friend. My greatest fear in life is to be misunderstood. I know, I know. Kiiind of wishful thinking on my part. Because really: who hasn’t been misunderstood at least once in her life? In fact, who hasn’t experienced this on a relatively frequent basis? I know I have. … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Being Vulnerable.

formerwritersMarch 20, 202047 Comments

Self-awareness

SnapDragon Speaks: On Jealousy.

Why do we get jealous? It’s inevitable, really. Because for a time, in one way or another, we all feel it. She’s so much skinnier than me. *pout* He has a summer house he never even uses. *scowl* They pop out a kid every other year. *eye roll* Why, Dear Reader, can’t we simply be happy for other people? Why does the success of others … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Jealousy.

formerwritersFebruary 24, 2020February 24, 202037 Comments

Self-awareness

SnapDragon Speaks: On Self-Love.

Greetings, friends! As you may know, I took a short break from the blogosphere for much of September. Shit happened (as it does) and I needed to turn off and unplug as much as I could, for the sake of my weary mind. But I’m back, baby! So this first dive back into the pool will explore this very idea: the idea of self-love. We … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Self-Love.

formerwritersSeptember 27, 2019May 22, 202024 Comments

Wise & Shine

We exist to help people understand themselves.

Tag: authenticity

Haragei: The Art of Unspoken Understanding

The Gift of a Backstory

SnapDragon Speaks: On Knowing.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Used.

SnapDragon Speaks: To All The Friends I’ve Lost.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Space Between.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Unwritten Page.

SnapDragon Speaks: On Starting Over.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Mess.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Moment.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Mirror.

SnapDragon Speaks: On Being Vulnerable.

SnapDragon Speaks: On Jealousy.

SnapDragon Speaks: On Self-Love.