Loaded. This word has several meanings. It can convey a weight or bias on a particular outcome. It is also a term we use to describe someone who has consumed drugs or alcohol in excess. And more commonly, it is used to describe a gun with ammunition, ready to fire. The word can feel visceral and threatening in some way.

I am blessed to have grown up with two parents who are amazing cooks. Family meals were not always appreciated at the time they were consumed, but now I remember them as one of the highlights of my childhood. We consistently gathered around a table while being nourished by food that was lovingly created and provided for the family almost every night. Now that I have two college-age daughters, I understand the enormity of this task. ‬

Meditation and mindfulness have been part of the zeitgeist for some time now. But it can feel like mindfulness is for people with a lot of time on their hands. However, this is a myth. You don’t have to be an enlightened yogi to participate in these practices on a regular basis.