1. MINDFULNESS: THE POWER OF AWARENESS

MY NINE-YEAR-OLD HAD SAVED UP her money for roller blades. When we were at the sporting goods store, I got inspired too and purchased a pair of oldschool white roller skates with pink wheels.

I was thrilled to share this new pastime with her and we spent the afternoon in blissful mommy–daughter union. We were learning together, it was outdoors, and we were away from screens.

It was all great until the next day, when I caught my toe in a crack, fell, and torqued my knee in an awful direction. Alongside the excruciating knee pain, I was filled with equally painful self-recriminations.

What was I thinking, what a stupid idea, I can’t believe I screwed this up. Summer’s ruined! If I got hurt, what’s going to happen to her? I’m such a terrible mom. On and on it went.

Until I remembered to be mindful.

Then I saw I was caught in a painful cycle of self-blame, guilt, and judgment, all intensifying the physical pain and making me even more miserable. I paused and brought compassionate attention to my breath and body. Noticing the thoughts and emotions that were arising, I calmed myself down and found my center. I remembered I was human, definitely fallible, and I would get through this. And I did (although my knee