Alana Fiander, Author at The Mindful Word

artists hand with brush, palette and oils

STARTING OVER: The art of letting go

Alana Fiander·April 21, 2016

The art of starting over can also be known as the art of letting go. You could study it for years, observe it in others…and yet, when you yourself are faced with it, it still feels as if you’ve been thrown out of an airplane without a parachute. It’s terrifying

THE BEAUTY BATTLE: Physical pressures in the 21st century

Alana Fiander·October 5, 2013

We’re living in a world where celebrities become famous by being physically beautiful and popular print and digital media outlets...

Glass of champagne - celebrating the little things

CELEBRATING THE LITTLE THINGS: Life itself is a reason to celebrate

Alana Fiander·September 11, 2013

“Can I get you a beverage while you decide what to order from the menu?” the waitress asks in a...

APPRECIATE YOURSELF: Learn to balance your social life to give time to yourself

Alana Fiander·August 16, 2013

I can’t remember the last time I took a vacation day from work to just sleep in. Don’t get me...

LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING: The power of dance to uplift and heal

Alana Fiander·July 2, 2013

You’re driving to work. You didn’t sleep well last night, and coffee just isn’t cutting it. You’re listening to the...

DISTORTED SELF IMAGE: How we see ourselves is not how others see us

Alana Fiander·June 2, 2013

Surely I’m not the only one who winces when viewing what I think is an unflattering photograph of myself that’s...

GUT INSTINCT: The inborn warning system you should heed

Alana Fiander·January 19, 2013

Being naïve is one of the rites of childhood. Checking underneath your bed for the boogey man, camping out on...

UNATTAINABLE GOALS: The beauty of the impossible

Alana Fiander·January 3, 2013

The start of a new year brings with it mixed feelings of renewal, hope and excitement. People are eager to...

FRIEND OR ACQUAINTANCE: When to stick by a friend and when to let go

Alana Fiander·December 30, 2012

I collect friends like some girls collect fancy shoes. There’s nothing more exciting to me than meeting someone with some...

THE ETERNAL STUDENT: Love what you do and do what you love

Alana Fiander·December 16, 2012

You watch your 5-year-old child as they play with Tonka trucks in the corner… making the trucks pick up small...

MEMORY BOX: Write a different kind of love letter to spread kindness and sincerity

Alana Fiander·December 8, 2012

As a female, I find that I have not-so-subtly fallen into many patterns that are deemed “girlish” and sometimes completely...

FINDING MY HAPPY: A 12-point everyday “happiness” checklist

Alana Fiander·December 1, 2012

I’m an awful cook. I’m one of those people who mix up the terms “teaspoons” and “tablespoons” on practically every...

THE ENDS NEVER JUSTIFY THE MEANS: Gandhi’s radical lesson for today

“MY RELIGION IS KINDNESS”: 10 mindful living tips inspired by the Dalai Lama

BEWARE OF BAD ACTORS: 3 steps to take if you suspect someone’s “gaslighting” you

ALASKA WINGS: Soaring across the mountains while releasing fear and doubt

INEFFABLE: A visitation from a beautiful soul I’d never forget

POEMS BY CAROLYN CHILTON CASAS: Essential Language, Metaphorically Speaking and more

MINDFUL LEADERSHIP IN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: Empowering leaders to create positive change

HANAMI DREAMING: The start of spring in Japan

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S POLITICAL REALITIES: We can prevail over ignorance, lies and Trump

IMPEDIMENTS FACED: A safe return home from La Paz, Mexico

TYING UP LOOSE ENDS: One last—and glorious—day in La Paz, Mexico [Part 7]

NIGHT SEA JOURNEY: Buying back sanity in La Paz, Mexico [Part 6]