Turning Straw Into Gold

Gratitude

Appreciating the Kindness of Strangers

Toni Bernhard J.D. on July 29, 2024

Many strangers have been kind to me over the years, but one incident from decades ago is still vivid in my mind.

Many strangers have been kind to me over the years, but one incident from decades ago is still vivid in my mind.

Stress

How to React Skillfully to Unpleasant Experiences

Toni Bernhard J.D. on May 23, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Unpleasant experiences are impermanent. We can even hasten their departure by not feeding them unrealistic and stressful stories.

A Personal Perspective: Unpleasant experiences are impermanent. We can even hasten their departure by not feeding them unrealistic and stressful stories.

Mindfulness

4 Ways to Tame Our "Wanting Mind"

Toni Bernhard J.D. on February 7, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Most people are well acquainted with the experience of wanting more than they need. We can tame that wanting mind—the mind of our desires and cravings.

A Personal Perspective: Most people are well acquainted with the experience of wanting more than they need. We can tame that wanting mind—the mind of our desires and cravings.

Happiness

The Best Way to Handle Regret

Toni Bernhard J.D. on November 7, 2023

One thing I feel certain of is that living in the past is the road to sadness and anger, not the road to happiness.

One thing I feel certain of is that living in the past is the road to sadness and anger, not the road to happiness.

Chronic Illness

What It’s Like to Live With an Invisible Illness

Toni Bernhard J.D. on August 15, 2023

People with invisible physical or mental illnesses often say they live in a parallel universe. I’ve lived in this “universe” for over 22 years now.

People with invisible physical or mental illnesses often say they live in a parallel universe. I’ve lived in this “universe” for over 22 years now.

Chronic Pain

22 Tips From 22 Years Sick

Toni Bernhard J.D. on May 30, 2023

A Personal Perspective: I can’t overemphasize the importance of “pre-emptive rest.” It means resting before you think you need to.

A Personal Perspective: I can’t overemphasize the importance of “pre-emptive rest.” It means resting before you think you need to.

Depression

What to Do When the Blues Settle In

Toni Bernhard J.D. on May 5, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes, I wake up to find that the blues have settled in for no apparent reason. Here are five strategies for weathering them.

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes, I wake up to find that the blues have settled in for no apparent reason. Here are five strategies for weathering them.

Loneliness

You Can Be Alone Without Being Lonely

Toni Bernhard J.D. on March 29, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Being alone in and of itself is neither positive nor negative. It is simply a fact that describes many people’s lives.

A Personal Perspective: Being alone in and of itself is neither positive nor negative. It is simply a fact that describes many people’s lives.

Stress

Disability and Equanimity Need Not Be Mutually Exclusive

Toni Bernhard J.D. on February 27, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Equanimity refers to a mind that is calm and at ease even in the face of stressful and unpleasant experiences.

A Personal Perspective: Equanimity refers to a mind that is calm and at ease even in the face of stressful and unpleasant experiences.

Chronic Pain

How to Cope with Holiday Blues When Your Health Is Poor

Toni Bernhard J.D. on December 17, 2022

Personal Perspective: Those with chronic pain and illness want to participate in seasonal celebrations, but their ability to do so is limited and this can be emotionally painful.

Personal Perspective: Those with chronic pain and illness want to participate in seasonal celebrations, but their ability to do so is limited and this can be emotionally painful.

Chronic Illness

4 Things People With Chronic Illness Wish Everyone Else Understood

Toni Bernhard J.D. on December 6, 2022

A Personal Perspective: It’s hard to respond skillfully to the emotional pain of feeling misunderstood, yet it’s a challenge the chronically ill face at almost every turn.

A Personal Perspective: It’s hard to respond skillfully to the emotional pain of feeling misunderstood, yet it’s a challenge the chronically ill face at almost every turn.

Forgiveness

4 Ways to Treat Yourself With More Compassion

Toni Bernhard J.D. on October 31, 2022

Compassion simply means being kind to yourself and others. To direct it at yourself, think of how you’d treat a loved one in need, and treat yourself that way.

Compassion simply means being kind to yourself and others. To direct it at yourself, think of how you’d treat a loved one in need, and treat yourself that way.

Mindfulness

5 Misconceptions About Mindfulness

Toni Bernhard J.D. on September 28, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Watch out for these misunderstandings about mindfulness.

A Personal Perspective: Watch out for these misunderstandings about mindfulness.

Health

A Guide to Skillful Action for the Chronically Ill

Toni Bernhard J.D. on August 31, 2022

When considering what is skillful action and skillful inaction, pursue actions that ease emotional and physical pain and avoid actions that intensify them.

When considering what is skillful action and skillful inaction, pursue actions that ease emotional and physical pain and avoid actions that intensify them.

Chronic Pain

20 Tips From 21 Years Sick

Toni Bernhard J.D. on August 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

Chronic Pain

21 Tips from 21 Years Sick

Toni Bernhard J.D. on June 28, 2022

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

Stress

How Slowing Down Reduces Physical Pain and Mental Stress

Toni Bernhard J.D. on June 6, 2022

A personal perspective: Slowing down calms mental stress and can also lessen physical pain.

A personal perspective: Slowing down calms mental stress and can also lessen physical pain.

Chronic Pain

How to Move From Resignation to Acceptance

Toni Bernhard J.D. on May 5, 2022

Had I been stuck in resignation, from that dark place, I wouldn’t have seen a way forward.

Had I been stuck in resignation, from that dark place, I wouldn’t have seen a way forward.

Chronic Pain

How Chronic Pain Makes Life’s Everyday Tasks a Challenge

Toni Bernhard J.D. on March 30, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Chronic pain, in effect, disables people from comfortably performing mundane, everyday tasks that others take for granted.

A Personal Perspective: Chronic pain, in effect, disables people from comfortably performing mundane, everyday tasks that others take for granted.

Mindfulness

You Don’t Need to Be Meditating to Practice Mindfulness

Toni Bernhard J.D. on March 3, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what's happening in the present moment. You can do it anywhere—lying down, sitting, even standing in line

A Personal Perspective: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what's happening in the present moment. You can do it anywhere—lying down, sitting, even standing in line