Give Thanks Always – Here’s Why

why-give-thanks“Where you are, Just as you are.” The article title from Chip and Joanna Gaines debut Magnolia Journal magazine jumped off the page, as I was standing in line for Thanksgiving groceries. So many times in our American abundance, instant technology replies and social media comparisons, it’s so easy to think that the greener pastures are on the other side of the fence, just beyond our reach. We’ll be happier when we have… That perfect job. A promotion. A new house. A baby. The end of toddler days. The kids to graduate. Prince (or Princess) Charming. Better health. A healing. A raise. Retirement. That finished project. A new ________ (fill in the blank.)

Why is that?! If you’re at all like me (and I’m guessing I’m not alone), so often I’m in a rush for the next thing, that I miss all the beauty, the blessings, the joy, the life around me.

This year has given me a unique opportunity to slow down a bit, shift gears and just…Be. It has gone nothing as I had planned or anticipated, BUT, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The chance to get off the hamster wheel of life, to rest, to enjoy family, to enjoy longtime and new friends, to explore new ventures and new interests, to cut out things that I’ve either outgrown or were no longer “bearing fruit,” to grow personally and spiritually have been…nothing other than amazing.

Yes, I’ve had my days, tempted to stay stuck in pity parties. But, I choose joy. The truth is, seasons change. I can feel this one coming to an end, and I want to squeeze every drop of goodness out of this season of blessings, lessons, growth, rest and newness.

Let me encourage you today. Holidays often can be tough for many: missing dear ones who have passed on, relocations and other continuous life changes. But stop and look around. Don’t forget all the blessings you have right here, right now. Today. And for the dailies, don’t spend your days wishing them away for something that is to come. It will come in time. Gather the lessons of the season. Rest. Be stretched. Grow in this time. Make moments and memories. Don’t miss the precious times you have right now. Because, yes, my dear, things will change.

So on this week to focus on giving thanks, try it out. The benefits are rich! SO incredible, in fact, gratitude just might become a new, life-changing, every day tradition you embrace and anticipate. Check out how Thanks-giving benefits your body, all documented by research:

  • Gives an overall feeling and sense of being healthier
  • Stimulates better health habits and taking better care of the body – exercise and eating well
  • Lowers stress, even dropping cortisol levels by 23%
  • Protects the heart, decreasing blood pressure and heart rate variability
  • Boosts immune system
  • Reduces aches and pains
  • Improves sleep—deeper and longer (spend just 15 minutes focusing on some “thanks” before bed)
  • Promotes happiness
  • Lowers depression
  • Replaces toxic emotions (envy, retaliation, frustration, regret)
  • Inspires more sensitivity and compassion toward others
  • Builds relationships and opens doors for communication
  • Boosts self-esteem (in athletes this is essential for optimal performance)
  • Reduces “comparing to others”
  • Helps overcome trauma (war vets and 9/11)
  • Encourages optimistic outlook
  • Enhances satisfaction in life
  • Impacts brain structure
  • Shifts your focus from “things” to “people”
(Reviewed and summarized from Psychology Today – April 2015 and Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health Letter- Nov 2011. Full references available upon request.)

SO tell me, what are you thankful for? Leave a comment below. Can’t wait to hear your list!

5 Lessons from the Garden – Part 2

I’m still amazed by the depth of these seemingly simply little “life-lessons” from the garden. Wow! If we can simply keep them at the front of our minds and walk them out, they are life-changing! Hope you find them encouraging wherever you are at in your “dailies,” as we continue from last week. Catch Part 1 here if you missed it.lessons-from-the-garden

 

3- Keep the cats out! –Some messes and distractions that come along in life just aren’t worth it! Some events, opportunities, appointments, even people. You name it – They can be toxic as they come into your space and ‘dump their mess.’ They may be good, well-intentioned and even super cute…and sometimes deceivingly so! But, see them for what they are. Either be OK with cleaning up the mess they bring because it’s worth it to you OR choose to make and keep a mess-free, clean “space” by restricting them from your “garden.” (For the record, I’m not anti-cat. I simply don’t have one and don’t want the responsibility to clean up regularly after someone else’s.)

4- Plant seeds! And most are very small! But don’t let the size be deceiving. They hold a TON of potential to produce a large harvest. The same with seeds in our life. Seeds of hope, new ideas, and dreams come to us in seed form. Most of them can seem small, maybe insignificant at first, and sometimes even our hopes start out as a very tiny glimmer. BUT, as they get planted, watered, cultivated and protected, they grow and develop…taking root and beginning to produce. Rarely do they come or start by accident, but it takes time, intention, tending, nurturing, developing. Just like the garden!

5- Give it time! – A crop requires a lot of work and TIME! I’d really rather have an instant fix and instant results. We live in a fast-paced technology, microwave, fast-food, 140-character-Twitter culture… but (sadly!) that’s just not how it works. This is such a good reminder, especially for me, when I get in a hurry and am very impatient! So much happens in the “process”…character development, skill development, stretching, roots go deep and solidify the “structure,” new ideas, new pathways and SO much more! Sometimes we can’t even see or understand what’s actually happening in the growth process until much later. Then…WOW! Look what has grown and even multiplied into being! Keep waiting; trust the process is doing good things and will bring great results!

 

So tell me about your garden! Any “cats” you need to keep out of your garden?? What seeds do you want to plant? What seeds need a little extra tending in your life? Where do you need to relax, take a deep breath, be patient and let the “process” have its way?

Be sure to share with a friend today who needs these little reminders!

Happy Gardening!

5 Lessons from the Garden – Part 1

lessons-from-the-gardenFall! It’s finally (mostly!) here! Don’t you just love the change of seasons?!  After the long HOT AZ summer months, I’m LOVING being back outside. AND it’s finally time to plant the garden! I certainly don’t claim to have a green thumb just yet, but I’m working on it and learning a ton in the process! It truly amazes me how our great-grandparents could survive growing the majority of their own food! What a lot of hard work. TOTALLY worth it with the flavor and nutrient quality; in fact, I’m spoiled! But I’m still surprised every season by what it takes to make a thriving garden!

More than just the fresh air, free (sweat) sauna and the excitement and anticipation of fresh produce, gardening always makes me ponder life. The parallels and visuals between the two are so incredible! Let me share just a couple I’ve been contemplating (and living out!) over the last few days and months…and how they can affect many areas of our lives!

1- Clean out the old season! – To make room for the new plants and new life requires ripping out last season’s plants, digging up old roots, and preparing for the new. SO true! So many times before we can move into new jobs, relationships, projects and adventures, we have to clean out from the last season: things we no longer need (clutter, files, equipment, books, clothes, etc.—cleaning our offices, storage room, garage, closets, pantry, kids rooms). It doesn’t just stop there, but also means letting go of past disappointments, regrets, guilt, resentment, comfort (oh my!), and sometimes even relationships and jobs. It’s those things that clutter our lives or no longer serve us and that will only hinder us and keep up from moving into the “new.” It’s amazing how deep and how big the roots can grow beneath the surface. Leaving them there will simply choke out the room and life of new plants trying to grow and be established in their place.

2- Prepare and re-nourish the soil – Healthy garden growth and nutrient-dense produce needs to grow in good, rich soil that can nourish the seeds and allow for good water drainage. Sometimes we get wiped out from our last season or we’re just not quite prepared for the new to come into place. Either way, it often takes time, effort or focus to get ready to go into a ‘new’ season. It can mean re-nourishing our body, soul and spirit, resting and recharging to be re-energized to focus on new projects, ideas or assignments. Sometimes, it’s even healing, recovering and softening from life’s circumstances, events or even traumas we’ve just lived through. Once replenished, it makes for an easier, more productive and healthy new season and harvest.

So tell me about your garden! What are you planting? What needs to come out of your life before you can move into your new season? What the state of your “soil”??…What kind of tending and TLC does it need to be ready for the “new”?

Seasons are usually for a window of time! Take advantage of it…and look for Part 2 next week.

Share these tips with a friend and “get ready” together!

 

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – #12 Give

give 12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – #12You were made for a purpose!  Part of this includes giving to others the gifts, talents, personality, perspectives, style, humor, wisdom, gems and resources that have been placed and grown within you from life experiences, education and training, as well as genetics and Divine Design.  These were not meant just for you, but to be shared and poured out to enrich the lives of others.  Blessings will flow and result in a life of fulfillment beyond your imagination!

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – #11 Speak Wisely

speak wisely Take some time to hear what you are saying and carefully filter what others say to you.  The power of our words and those spoken over us have a profound influence on our lives.  Because we speak what we believe, our own words and even the words of others can be easily planted, growing in the soil of our mind and heart, resulting in a “harvest” that we may (or may not!) want.  We must realize their power.  You have the choice to shape your life and your future with the power of your words!

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – #10 Listen

Listen 12 secrets to living your healthiest year yet

Pay attention to what you’re listening to.  The power of music and sound has an incredible impact on the body, with an amazing ability to heal and refresh.  Make a conscious effort to listen to music, stop and hear the beauty of nature, be still and hear the quietness … or even try singing! When used appropriately, you’ll be in awe at the balancing and healing you experience!

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – #9 Supplement

supplement

Take a good, whole-food-based (or pharmaceutical grade) “multi,” and be sure to supplement and support any weakened body systems (GI tract, blood sugar levels, heart health, hormones, thyroid, etc.)  Boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation is also essential. With today’s nutrient-depleted soils and our busy lifestyles, it is difficult to fully meet the body’s nutritional needs from food alone.

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet: Week 3

Re-frame. Perspective. (hmm…stop and think on that a moment.) Could your Perspective change your Health? So many times what we see, feel or even experience in life is not a true reality. So often we look at life through colored glasses of our past, life experiences, family and cultural backgrounds, and many others. All of these lenses tend to shade, color and (quite often) distort our view. BUT, when we change our point of view, our perspective, it becomes a whole new ballgame.

As a formerly Type AAA person (I’m changing!!), it’s been easy for me to get incredibly task-focused, overly driven and onto the performance treadmill, missing the fun and enjoyment of the journey and daily life. BUT, as I slow down to breathe :), re-focus on what’s REALLY important to me, remember who I really am and just BE myself, pressure lifts, I can laugh at the perceived pressures, hamster wheel and even myself! Then, I’m free to enjoy the moment, seize the adventure and just have fun…and it’s a WHOLE lot less stress on the body!

Even exercise, re-framed, can really be FUN! I LOVE to be active, be outside and enjoy fresh air, but when the perception or talk of exercise, a gym, weightlifting or running 5 miles comes up, I cringe! Mention hiking, walking in outdoor beauty or playing tennis and for me, it’s no longer exercise but play! Funny, so often it’s all about perspective!

SO, with that in mind, here’s Week 3’s 12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet. Maybe all it takes for you will be a change of glasses to make these a reality and for your body to enjoy these benefits (and results!).  Plus, YOU get to have a lot more fun in the process!

6. Laugh!laugh friends health benefits

It affects the entire body, making it an essential and one of the most FUN components of wellness. Laughter strengthens the immune system, relieves depression, brings hope, boosts energy, oxygenates and detoxes body, reduces pain, offers benefits comparable to exercise, builds relationships, makes you more beautiful with a smile….and it’s free! A joyful heart really is good medicine. Lighten up. Don’t take life too seriously!

7. Be

butterfly transitions

Often, women especially, feel we must measure up…to standards of culture, Hollywood, social media, a career and more. That somehow we must constantly pe

rform, compete and look and act a certain way, keeping us on an exhausting hamster wheel.  Know you are OK just the way you are! Believe it and live from that place of actually liking yourself. It can be uncomfortable at first, but SO freeing! Just Be. Be free to be yourself. Not everyone will “get” you. That’s ok. That doesn’t change your unique, marvelous Divine Design, inside and out!

8. Exercise – errr Go Out and PLAY!play exercise

The “E” word … with endless benefits:  boosts the immune system, increases metabolism, relieves stress, improves moods, gives energy, strengthens bones, slows aging, removes toxins, promotes better sleep and regulates blood sugars – just to name a few.  Find something you really like to do … make it fun … and get moving!

 

Your turn! How can you Laugh, Play and BE this week? What 3 changes will you make?

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And be sure to share these tips that have helped you with a friend!

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – Week 2

Are you like me? Do you get tired of the monotony of some of the things you know are good for you? Anyone else get bored with brushing your teeth?! (Random, I know! And you’re probably laughing and rolling your eyes, as I am.) Really, I’m SO very thankful for my healthy pearly whites, but come on, let’s be real, brushing gets very…redundant!! And seriously, drinking water?!! Especially in Arizona. YES, It’s so wonderfully refreshing, but sometimes, it just seems…sooo…blahhh!

I was reminded this week, sometimes just the smallest tweaks that switch things up a little can make the biggest difference, especially when they become a regular part of our everyday living. While writing, I’ve been challenged to re-think and re-examine my daily habits to tweak and hone to get a few more benefits. I’ve realized I’ve gotten bored with water too (meaning I don’t drink quite as much as I’d like to.) Without really thinking, I pulled out a cute, plastic tumbler from a friend, complete with colorful straw, started filling it with cold water (though I usually drink room temp water!) and wow….all of a sudden, water seems just a little more exciting than it did last week. Funny! It was such a little tweak but it really made a world of difference! Now, I’m drinking more water again, and I get a reminder of a precious friend; so thankful!

Speaking of really breaking routines, my new favorite: vacation…stay-cation…whatever! And ‘tis the season! Amazing what a little change in routine, a day off, a change of scenery, a day off of make-up and “real” clothes and a change from the norm can do to refresh, renew and recharge the body! It’s a must and I’m learning to be even more intentional about making sure they happen regularly, not just once a year.

So here’s Week 2’s fun 12 Secrets continued. Be thinking how you can be inspired, knowing results can come through even the smallest changes and improvements.

hydrate3- Hydrate 

Water is essential to life, making up 75% of your body. It helps keep your entire body healthy and hydrated, transporting nutrients into the cells and clearing out toxins.  How much should you drink?  Your weight ÷ 2 = ounces needed daily.  Add extra to compensate for exercise, warm temperatures and when drinking coffee, tea or soda, which can be dehydrating.

4- Rest, Relax and Refresh – Now, this one is FUN!!!rest relaxation sleep

Most illnesses are stress-related, throwing off numerous hormones throughout the body.  Endless “to do” lists press our limits, but we need rest, daily and weekly. Rest and sleep unwind, rebuild and rejuvenate the body, enhancing creativity and performance, boosting moods, strengthening the immune system, helping us process life…and even learn! Be sure to take time to relax. Be still. Reflect. Read. Pray. Choose something fun to do. Build relationships. Pursue your dreams and hobbies. Get enough sleep. You’ll find the invaluable stress-relieving effects for your entire body!

sunlight vitamin D5- Soak Up Some Sun

Be sure to get a daily dose of sun on bare, exposed skin (think beach, even if you’re in the city!!!). Increasing research shows just how vital Vitamin D (made in your body from sunlight) really is for boosting the immune system, preventing cancer and diabetes, maintaining weight and the health of every cell of the body.  If you live in a place with lots of rain, clouds, primarily stay indoors (because it’s SO HOT!), or are super sun-sensitive, consider taking a supplement and getting your blood levels checked regularly to monitor your progress.

Now, it’s your turn!

What 3 tweaks are you going to make this week?

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What will you do this week to break up monotony, stress and routine in your life?

 

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Hellooo August! Guess what?! You still have 5 full months to hit your goals!! You can do it!!!

 

And, how’s your progress from last week’s tips? Update me! I want to know what’s working and where the struggle is real. (Missed Week 1 Secrets? Catch them here.)

I’ll be back next week with Week 3’s tips…and a new flavor of toothpaste. 🙂

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – Week 1

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Though we’re just days away from August, it’s not too late to still meet our health goals (resolutions) for the year. Yes, I know, most of them could be long forgotten, BUT there’s still hope! With 5 months left of 2016, there’s still plenty of time to make some real progress!!

16 years ago, facing my own health crisis, I finally had to come face to face with “what really is health?!”  With horrible cystic acne, miserable digestion and food sensitivities, fever and unable to work (and hardly even function!) for 3 months, extreme fatigue and a host of other symptoms, I knew health was waaay deeper than I understood or had been trained in college and professionally. Especially when doctors gave me an anti-depressant and told me to go live my life! Though I can’t share my full story here, I’ve been healed and my health restored. With it came a whole new understanding and appreciation of health, wellness and wholeness…as well as a tool chest full of gems I want to share with you to encourage and support you on your journey! …and hopefully make it just a little bit easier for you.

SO, whether it’s shed a few pounds, build some muscle, find the root issue(s) of symptoms that have bothered you for too long, “eat better,” lower your cholesterol, manage your blood sugars, or do a complete makeover… following these 12 steps can lead you into a whole new place of health! We’re so phenomenally put together that we just can’t separate out the physical, emotional and spiritual components of our lives. As we nurture our body, mind and spirit, and bring them into a place of balance, then we can experience full living and real health.

Now, let’s get back on track.  We’ll start with 2 biggies that make a HUGE impact. Be looking for what you can implement to help you towards your 2016 goals. Come on! You can do it!

1- Nourish – (Even I need a review on this now and again!)

Give your body the building blocks it needs for life and health. Explore nutrient-dense, delicious options that naturally eliminate lifeless, empty-calorie foods. Enjoy the beauty, benefits and endless possibilities of foods in their most natural form: lots of fresh, green leafy,  colorful veggies & fruit, nuts & seeds, good oils (omega 3s & coconut oil), beans, whole grains, and lean, quality (antibiotic & hormone free) protein. Add in flavor-packed herbs and spices, loaded with extra antioxidant and healing properties. Make the investment now and enjoy good health for a lifetime! It’s easier to “maintain” health than to “regain” it.

2- Detoxify your lifedetox cleaners environment emotions

Eliminate the “junk” from all areas of life.  This may be food, but think just a little deeper to household products and cleaners, synthetic bath and body products, pollution, clutter, unorganized stacks of “stuff,” a job you don’t enjoy, unhealthy relationships, etc. Going just a bit further, this even includes toxic emotions you’ve held on to—fear, guilt, bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, negativity and unthankfulness.  Let it go!  Work through the hurt. Let it heal. You won’t miss it and you’ll be healthier! This is a step you can’t rush…and it’s often on-going!

Two simple tips, yet very profound and FULL of healing potential, as you walk through the depth of what’s loaded in just these concepts. Much more to come on each of these in the weeks and months to come.

Now, it’s your turn:

  • What one thing will you do/add/change this week to nourish your body?
  • What one thing will you detox from your life this week?

Be looking for Week 2’s Secrets!

Want some personalized accountability and support for your goals? You don’t have to do it alone!