Part 1- Why I Shit with Purpose I’m not religious, at least not anymore. I grew up in a Modern Orthodox Jewish home, learned in Jewish Day Schools, and spent summers and holidays in Israel. I did rebel against some of the rules, but my faith in God (the Holy One, blessed be He), was … More Sh!tting with Purpose
I became a classroom teacher in 2000 and a personal trainer and weightlifting coach in 2007. Through the years, I have worked with adults and children, helping them meet various and multiple goals. It’s always rewarding, and my experiences have informed the way I approach formal instruction. As parents and educators, we want our kids … More Student Success: Stress, Tests, and Mindfulness
This month has been on FIRE! Books: Vincent and Theo was a revealing look at the younger years of the esteemed artist. I learned so much about the role religion played, the extent of his mental distress, and the unfailing support of his younger brother, Theo. Deborah Heiligman did her due diligence while researching this fabulous … More Get Lit with Kit – July 2019
Earlier this month, I attended a conference at The Running School in London. The topic was biomechanics + neuromuscular repatterning as it relates to movement and pain management after injury or trauma. What was interesting was how multi-faceted the process is, especially considering the role that nutrition and sleep play in recovery. These are two … More Holistic Health: Applying Best Practices to Optimize Performance for Students
This month’s fiction is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. It was one of those rare novels that actually made me pause before turning pages for fear of what I might find on the next one. If you are a fan of Pearl S. Buck’s The Good Earth, then I highly recommend reading Pachinko, set in Korea and Japan in … More Get Lit with Kit – Best of December
This month required me to make some big decisions. One piece of guidance I used was Peter Drucker’s article Managing Oneself. It is an excellent article that demands introspection. If you are in a transition phase, or if you want to improve your current state, read it. An interesting follow-up is this interview discussing Bullshit Jobs. If … More Get Lit with Kit – Best of November 2018
“There is no fate but what we make.” – Terminator 2 The hope for someone who was predisposed to development of disease due to early stress/trauma is emphasized through the concept of neuroplasticity and human ability to adapt throughout life. Exploring epigenetic mechanisms of the reconsolidation process has led to the understanding that “repeated [memory] … More Red Pill, Blue Pill
I’ve been hearing about the benefits of transcendental meditation for years. This month I finally read Jack Forem’s book on the subject. I fully intend to explore further. Will keep you posted. (Along similar lines, this article on focus and attention can help you find the sweet spot and get things done in flow. It’s long, presumably to … More Get Lit with Kit – best of July 2018
“There is no such thing as bravery; only degrees of fear.” – John Wainwright In her work Man Crazy, Joyce Carol Oates depicts the stunning journey of Ingrid, the prodigal daughter, as she conquers the harrowing journey from death to rebirth. Internalizing all that is violent and self loathing in her youth, Ingrid understands the … More A Version of Myself
This world breaks my heart. I simultaneously think “No one understands” and “I know I am not alone”. Chris Cornell. Chester Bennington. Suicide. The statistics from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reflect that more than 15 million American adults are affected by depression. There are various treatment options ranging from lifestyle changes through … More When suicide is the only option…
Find the balance. 