Water is a powerful force that has been revered and celebrated by cultures around the world for centuries. From the ocean to the bathtub, water has the ability to soothe, heal, and transform us in ways that are both physical and spiritual. As a pregnant woman seven years ago, I went through a period of intense vulnerability and uncertainty. It was during this time that I discovered the healing and transformative power of water. It was the first time in my life that I deliberately sought solace in the bath and developed a deep connection with water to nurture my emotions.

Over the years, this connection has become the cornerstone of my personal religion. In a moment of crisis, I am just as likely to drop to my knees and pray as I am to humbly submerge myself into a deliciously-warm tonic laced with salts, oils, bubbles, and herbs. I’ve also found that being near the ocean has a profound effect on my physical and emotional well-being. These revelations (and many others) have empowered me to create self-care rituals centered around water, whether they are simple or elaborate.

Consciously engaging with water can help us heal deeper emotional pain, if we can cultivate patience with the process and muster enough faith to give it a try when we’re feeling low or stressed. Water can support us in soothing trauma responses and integrating challenging aspects of reality by nourishing our somatic system. By vocalizing our intentions and consciously selecting how and where we seek to reprogram our automatic beliefs, we initiate the transformation of our relationship with ourselves and the world around us. Even in a pinch, we can speak “love,” “health,” and “happiness” over the water we drink and serve to others.

For those of us who are blessed to be able to physically visit a lake, walk alongside a pond, or meditate near a gurgling brook, we are in for a calm but potent treat. Bearing witness to the power of water in nature can bring about a sense of physiological calm or even spiritual awe. Some of us will more easily attune with the presence of Spirit while beholding a body of water. Personally, I know that when I feel burdened with an unsolvable puzzle in my life, I can truly count on the inevitable hush in my thoughts and renewal in my heart; all I have to do is bring myself face-to-face with a body of water that stretches across the horizon. These effects that both I and many others experience in the presence of natural bodies of water can be partially explained in scientific terms, and I anticipate further definitive explanations in the future. But for now, I am grateful to understand that God is all around: in the skies above, in the mysteries below, and in the dreams in our hearts.

Should I find myself tired or stuck at home, I’ve got a myriad of tricks up my sleeve that can morph any drab bath into a ceremony fit for a queen…or for a child, depending on which emotional needs warrant tending. I always ring a bell over water running in our bath or shower and visualize a cleansing light infusing every surface that the water touches. Sometimes I pray aloud and declare my intentions over the water, before the flesh of a single toe penetrates the water’s surface; it feels like I’m stepping through a portal into a more righteous reality when I finally cross that threshold. If muscle or joint pain has been nagging at my consciousness, I heave epsom salt and sprinkle mint or eucalyptus oil to my heart’s desire, recline, close my eyes, and smile. When romance is fluttering around in my chest, I clear my mind of anxiety by reaffirming my worthiness and set my point of attraction to receiving mode with a dramatic pink bath, using candles, rose oil, flower essence, and even fresh flower petals.

And in those inevitable life moments when grief or sadness strike, I know that showing up is all that is required; a stoic bath with no accoutrement at all can be the perfect remedy. There is great value in the quiet descent into, and tender embrace of, this sensual and transparent element. Engaging in these practices allows us to cultivate a profound awareness of water’s influence and access its inherent healing properties.

Moreover, the act of consciously bathing and envisioning oneself in the womb of the Goddess can be a profound experience for consciously reprogramming deep-seated beliefs and healing from negative childhood experiences. It offers an opportunity to address subconscious beliefs about gender, intimacy, worthiness, our connection to the Divine, and other aspects of our early conditioning. By immersing ourselves in the sacred waters, we invite transformation and establish a mindful rapport with the nurturing power of water, allowing us to emerge renewed and reconnected to our true selves.

My utmost desire is for those in need of motherly love and strength to embrace these insights, facilitating healing and emotional integration, and grounding their personal power on a foundation of deep love and stability. I believe that self-care is essential for overall well-being—not only for our sense of security within ourselves, but also for buoyancy and stamina within our connections with others. Incorporating simple practices like engaging in conscious communion with water can have a profound effect on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

By fostering a deep awareness of water’s influence, we can nourish our somatic system, transform our relationship with ourselves and the world around us, and perpetually discover a greater sense of peace emerging from the depths of our being. Whether it’s through taking a bath, spending time in nature, or simply speaking positive intentions over the water we consume, there are many ways to establish a mindful connection with the transformative power of water and harness its healing properties. So, take a moment to connect with water today and see how it can support your emotional healing journey.​

With each sunrise, we have the opportunity to improve upon the choices that we’ve made in the past in order to live a more balanced life in the present. The key ingredients in this process are a carefully curated mixture of dedication and surrender. In my opinion, adding a dash of introspection and meditation even if you only have 10 minutes per day, provides a sense of renewal in your life that may have become stagnant or stale.

While on your spiritual journey, it’s important to understand that life is a series of natural ebb and flow movements and it’s in these periods of change where we become awakened to the flavorful, creative and infinite possibilities that are available to us. Here are a few areas where I’ll be adding a fresh perspective to my spiritual practice this month.

Parenting: 

My daughter turns 4 years old this year and it amazes me how fast she’s growing up. Her ability to perceive and reason is like nothing that I’ve seen before. She challenges me everyday to keep things fresh as it relates to learning, discipline and play. I am dedicated to instilling a strong sense of value, honor and truth into her while also knowing that she has her own personality, thoughts and feelings.

My goal in April is to take on the role of a “loving guide” and witness how my approach affects her behavior. The way I see it, parenting is a great big experiment and the ability to teach and connect with a child on an intellectual level builds self esteem and creates a highly functioning future world leader. 

Career:

I took a risk last Summer and left a corporate career where I had spent a vast amount of time working my way up to a desired title and pay. However, I was not fulfilled in my soul and knew that it was time for me to transition into the world of entrepreneurship. This new found bravery came with its fair share of bumps and bruises but taking the plunge was the best thing that I could have done.

Now that the foundation of my company has been set, I am more inspired than ever to get creative and produce my best work. Starting something new requires patience, dedication and structure but after that comes the fruits of your labor and the sweet taste of victory. Maintaining flow in this area has been key for me and is paying off nicely!

Self Love: 

I am an avid fan of carving out time to focus on the self. Oftentimes we hear the word “selfish” and it immediately evokes a negative connotation. However, I’ve found that being able to fill up my own cup is what allows me to be of service to others. Knowing when to rest and when to act, maintaining healthy sleep patterns and spending time with my inner thoughts all contribute to a more stable life experience.

The art of self love is a practice and it requires a willingness to implement boundaries while maintaining balance in a tumultuous world. For me, this goes beyond bath bombs and manicures. It’s acknowledging areas in my life where I need to grow and also encouraging myself when I see the blooms of progress tied to a new project. I am looking forward to creating a fresh vision board as we go into the second quarter of the year based on new aspirations, hopes and dreams for myself.

Be open to receiving what the universe has for you. Draw comfort in knowing that you can always revise and refresh your approach to life. Each day is a unique opportunity to journey towards total abundance! 

When we experience a traumatic event our bodies create reactionary responses towards anything that looks or feels like the original trauma we experienced, in an effort to keep us safe from reintroducing further trauma. There is wisdom in our bodies efforts to protect us. This wisdom should be recognized and our bodies thanked for their efforts in trying to shield us from further harm.  If we are engaged in our integration process and are open to reframing our thinking around our trauma responses, over time, they will become less pronounced.

Our trauma responses can’t be treated like the ugly red headed step child that we all wish we could disown from the family! they have to be embraced and integrated. When we are able to hold space for our trauma and the responses that stem from it, we are able to create a space for a deeper acknowledgement of it and any emotions surrounding the trauma. When this is done, we create sacred awareness and mindfulness around our actions and in doing so begin to integrate our trauma responses. By thanking them for their protection and wisdom thus far, we are able to sooth the screaming toddler that is our trauma and allow responses that are in alignment with our higher self to emerge and take root.

The goal isn’t to heal because healing implies that there is something wrong with you. There is nothing wrong with your bodies attempt to protect, however that may have manifested. It is simply out of alignment with further authenticity and as such needs to be welcomed in, not pushed away. Whatever we resist persists. Holding space for ourselves and our experiences isn’t always easy and it doesn’t necessarily begin in a feel good place, but the journey of self discovery, towards your destination is a life changing experience that you don’t want to miss out on!

Plantar Fasciitis can bring foot pain, especially near/in the heel area that can bee very uncomfortable and debilitating.  If you have been diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis, here are some simple but effective steps you can take to permanently heal your heel 🙂

Do note that I am not a doctor and it is important to listen to your body and intuition, do your own research, and check with your doctor as appropriate when implementing these recommendations 🙂

Three steps to heal Plantar Fasciitis:

1. Get better shoes ~ Shoes with good arch support can be an important part of healing Plantar Fasciitis.  When I had this come up for the first time, I spoke to a shoe expert at a sporting goods store who pointed me towards walking sneakers that were specifically made to help this issue.  There are also other specialty shoe stores with experts on this topic for other types of shoes.

2. Manage inflammation ~  Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the fascia in the heel region of the foot.  It can be brought on for many reasons including pregnancy or other weight gain, improper shoes, and more.  Dealing with the inflammation can be an important part of healing.

I love topical Australian Eucalyptus Oil for natural help with inflammation and pain relief.  You can also make diet modifications to reduce foods that bring inflammation and/or take supplements known to help with inflammation like Fish Oil (Here is my favorite brand, Omega3 Innovations) and Turmeric.  If you use the Turmeric, make sure you get a kind with black pepper, as it helps absorption and utilization of the active ingredients in a big way.  I love this one by Gaia Herbs.

3. Standing Mountain Pose in Yoga ~  This pearl of wisdom was given to me by a dear friend, Celeste a’Leah.  Doing this pose regularly, and also doing a version throughout the day when you are sitting by planting your heel and bones under big toe firmly into the ground and then holding them firm as you spread the rest of your toes out like a webbed foot, grabbing the ground with the bones under your pinky toes helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles, fascia, and tendons associated with Plantar Fasciitis.  This strengthens the arches of your feet and can bring great permanent relief from foot pain when committed to as a regular practice.

I am holding the vision with you for your healed heels and happy feet 🙂

“What if I fall? Oh my dear, but what if you fly?” – Unknown

Did you know our brains are neurologically wired to over-focus on the bad, and constantly scan for those things that can threaten or harm us?  This is known as the “Negativity Bias.”  This bias causes us to gloss right over the positive things happening in our lives or even miss it altogether.  Unless…

If you’ve read some on my other blogs (here and here) you may have noticed that my focus is on the ways in which I can use coaching and assessment tools to help shine a light on your dormant strengths and potential and help you to unleash a more empowered and positive self-concept and set of beliefs that align with the future state you desire.

How do I accomplish this?  Together, we look for the good, and then go deeper and look for more good. And, we keep going.  Why?  Because.  What we focus on grows.

Let’s peel back this onion of positivity a bit and try a reflection activity.  Get some paper and a pen or markers.  Turn the paper the long way, like this:

Step 1: Give it a title, such as “My Life Highlights.”

Step 2: List 6 or so turning point events in your life (i.e. births, deaths, health concerns, major life transitions, etc.) and note your age, like this:

Step 3: Draw a timeline in the bottom half of the page and place a “0” to the far left, like this:

Step 4: The zero at the beginning of your timeline represents your birth.  I’d like you now to think about how long you would like to live and place that number at the other end of the timeline.  Please be adventurous and free about this.  If it anything were possible, how long would you like to live?  I went with “125” because I have a lot I still want to accomplish! 😊

Step 5: Place your current age on the timeline and then place the ages of your significant life events up until now on the timeline as well.  You can draw little tick marks or dots and note the age.

Step 6: Place a bracket or circle around this first period of your life that includes all these significant events up until now and…give it title!  That’s right.  How would you sum up your life to date?  My title was “Hardship and Joy, Learning to Let Go, and Lessons of Self-Worth.”  Go with what feels right for you.

Step 7: Place another bracket or circle around all the open space that comes after this point in time.  Take a moment to let that soak in.  There’s likely a lot of life you have left to live.  Such potential.  What will you do with it?  Now, go ahead and give this future phase of your life a title as well.   I chose “Deep Spirituality That is My Life’s Work, Ease, and I Have All I Need & Want.”  Not exactly movie-ready titles, but that’s ok!

Your Next Action Step:  Based on the title you chose, what are three key actions you would like take going forward?  Then choose your top one out of the three.

Remember, what we focus on grows.  This activity is one way to get clear about your vision for the future and go after it.  Now that you have your key action, the next step would be to start breaking that big action down into manageable bites and setting some target dates.  I’ll share some best practices for that next month.  Until then…find at least one good and positive thing that is happening in your life today and savor it!

My mantra for a long time was…go as fast as possible at ALL times! 

So, let me start by saying “go slow to go fast” has been a learned behavior on my part.

Our capacity to grow and change is enormous and… it’s within our control.  In learning how to slow down and reflect and savor the good feelings (and also learn how to be with the not so great feelings) I have found that I can ultimately move faster towards to my goals and dreams for one reason.  I have a clear vision of what I want.

But, when I don’t take the time to get clear on my vision, well, there can be a lot of floundering around.  Though, it’s not necessarily easy to recognize that you’re floundering around, because you may be running around, doing this and that, and generally feeling productive and busy and happy with yourself.

There’s a couple of things you can do to check yourself and determine if you are, in fact, on track.  Ask yourself the following questions:

1. “Where am now on a scale of 1-10 with my vision?” Where 10 means that I have completely reached my vision and 1 means the opposite.
2. “If I were to move up just one step on this scale, what would be different for me?”
3. “What is the one specific action or step I can take this week to help me get to the next step?”

Here’s the key thing to remember, if you’re on the lower end of the scale, then there is only ONE thing to do, go slow to go fast and get back to your vision.  When our vision is murky, our actions follow and they too can be murky and undefined.

This is the perfect time of the year to go slow to go fast.   Forget the platitudes and resolutions and forget the list of all the things that are wrong with your life.

Focus on your vision.  What’s next for you?  In your life, your work, where you live, how you live, your relationships.  What does that look like and feel like?  What are you doing?  Who are with? You can journal, doodle, create a vision board, or just think about it.   Don’t overcomplicate it.  But, once you have your vision, write it down.   You want to see your vision and read it on a daily basis.  You’d be amazed at how well this works in bringing your vision to life.  Use the questions above on a weekly basis to check your progress and keep adjusting and redefining your actions as needed.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to be your authentic self.  You are the expert of your life. 

Our life experiences and choices become the laboratory for our own investigation of what is and isn’t working in our lives.  If you don’t take the time to investigate, you may wake up one day and find you are living someone else’s vision.  Maybe that’s happening to you now.  It has definitely happened to me.  And then I decided it was time to bet on me and be the expert of my life.

When we align to our vision, we feel good about our lives and we are in a better position to help others. Each of us has the ability to ignite positive change in our lives through our work, through our buying decisions, through our friendships and partnerships, and through our communities; which all translates into making a positive impact in the world.

Even simple conversations go off the rails.

Here’s me calling my mother.

Me: Hi mom, how are you doing today?

Mom: OK.  How are you? Did I tell that two of your sister’s friends were diagnosed with cancer, so and so’s house burnt down, and that I need a $1000 for some car repairs?

Me: (silently to self) BREATHE!!!

So what’s a person who’s just trying to live their best life, in the present moment, with a calm, centered focus to do?

I noticed something a while ago.  When I ask different questions, in particular questions with a positive, strength-based orientation that help me to see the best in myself and others, I don’t just get different answers.  Life ignites!  New doors, new paths, and new possibilities open up before my eyes.

When I coach others to focus on their strengths and capabilities, the environment becomes one that is conducive to experimentation and exploration and “what if” lines of thinking.  This is how dreams and goals ignite and come to life.

Problem talk leads to problem thinking and generally includes variations on the Big Three: blame, fear, and guilt.  The Big Three perpetuate the negative energy that is lurking around the corner, or in our minds, just waiting for us to engage.

Let me be clear about one thing.  My approach is not an invitation to put on your rose-colored glasses and just call it a good day.  Everything isn’t good and perfect at all times.  And…everything isn’t all bad and negative and doom and gloom all the time either.

To ignite positive change in your life, you’ll need to actively counter the negative energy that may be coming your way, whether intentional or unintentional, and whether it’s from those around you or your own self-talk.

Here are four steps to ignite positive change in your life!

1. What’s Good – today, in my life, about me, about my partner, about this moment right here and right now?

When you exclusively focus on “doom and gloom” and “here’s what’s wrong” you will easily see weakness, lack, problems, and negativity.  When you change the question to “what’s good” you easily see and hear and feel possibilities, strengths, optimism and miracles.

2. What’s Wanted – now, soon, this year, the next five years, in my life?

You may have heard a few times in your life that first clarifying what you want is a good idea.   But here’s the thing, it’s way more than a good idea – it’s the path to your ideal future, it’s what generates energy and excitement and motivation, it’s how you know what’s important and what to align to.  And there’s another thing it is – it can be difficult to define by ourselves.

3. What’s Appreciated – in myself, in those I love, in my work, in the various aspects of my life?

The questions we ask create our realities.  Think that sounds a bit much?  What were you thinking about this morning and what was happening around you?  What are thinking about right now reading this?  Yes, we live in one world AND we live in worlds of our making.  Our questions direct our attention and cause us to focus on one thing over another.

4. What’s Inspiring – and lights me up, makes me feel strong and empowered, where I know without a doubt that I am or can become a confident and knowledgeable expert?

When we focus on developing and cultivating our own creativity rather than competing with others, there is a chemical reaction occurring within us and around us.  When you’ve reached this step, you are experiencing what I like to call the “Dark Chocolate Effect.”  What’s the Dark Chocolate Effect?  It’s the feeling of authentic sweetness in your life.  There is nothing artificial or fake or contrived in this life.

Try this tonight with your friends, partner, family or a stranger while you’re at it.  Ask “What’s good in your life today?” and see where the conversation takes you.

Come join me in the lab!  

Ayurveda – Wisdom of Life

Ayurveda, a holistic system for wellness rooted in India, translates to the Wisdom of Life. I love this definition because it highlights the truth that our health and well-being cannot be separated from the larger whole; we are intrinsically connected to the environment we live in and what is outside of us is also within us. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, there are three Doshas or constitutions/body types. They are Vata (made up of air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). By the month of October, here on the east coast of the U.S., Vata (air and space elements) season is in full swing.

During the fall season, as the weather becomes cooler and dryer, the elements of the Vata dosha dominate. The qualities of Vata are: cool, light, dry, mobile, subtle, erratic, and changeable. During the transition from Summer to Autumn, “change is in the air” as people shift their routines and schedules and get back on track so to speak, preparing for the months ahead. People who have the qualities of Vata dominant in their body makeup (e.g., you get cold easily, your skin tends to be dry, and you are drawn to movement) may feel ungrounded and, even, anxious now due to the feeling of change (note: if you are a healthy Vata person you will be less affected, however if you have a Vata imbalance you will likely feel ‘thrown off’ during this time). For others, with Pitta and/or Kapha dominant constitutions, the change of weather and routines may be welcome and refreshing.

According to Ayurvedic teachings, opposite elements and qualities create balance while the same ones can send us further out of balance. For example, if you have a predominance of Vata in your constitution you will, as I noted above, be more likely to feel thrown off balance now and, therefore, it is wise to focus on bringing into your daily life the opposing qualities of Vata, such as steadiness, a slower pace, routines/structure, warmth, and moisture. You can do this through food choices (e.g., increase warm and wholesome food, such as stews and grains and cooked veggies, and take it easy on salads and raw/cold foods), daily yoga (or exercise) and breathing practices (but nothing too intense; slow and steady wins the race right now). Some signs that you have a Vata imbalance are: light-headedness (you may feel space-y or dizzy), inability to focus (i.e., mind is scattered and jump-y), low energy/tired/drained, a feeling that you can’t warm up easily (e.g., cold feet and hands), erratic appetite (i.e., you may forget to eat or not feel hungry), bloating and gas, constipation, interrupted sleep/insomnia.

Solutions for Vata Overload

For those who are experiencing Vata overload, it’s crucial to bring more structure into your life. You can do this by creating a consistent daily schedule, such as going to sleep and waking at the same time each day, eating your meals at about the same time each day, etc. Eating a bigger/more substantial lunch and a smaller/lighter dinner is a wise idea for everyone and, especially, if you have indigestion and/or trouble sleeping. Meditation and yoga connect the body, mind and spirit, metaphysically speaking, and create a feeling of harmony and well-being (note: even if you mediate for just 4 minutes each morning you are doing something significant–consistency is the key with Vata imbalances).

Autumn can be Balancing for Kapha and Pitta

If, on the other hand, you are Kapha (earth and water) or Pitta (fire and water) dominant, you may, as my mother says, be “feeling your oats” during the Fall season and relish in the lively feel of change. Pitta people run hot by nature, so the cooler temperatures are balancing for them. Pitta, similar to Vata, likes to be “on the go” and so a steady, slower-paced routine, as we transition into Fall, is balancing for both Pitta and Vata. Kapha dominant people are steady, grounded and slower moving by nature, and when out of balance they feel lethargic, so the Fall may feel invigorating for Kapha folks, putting some pep in their step.

The way you handle the change of season depends on your natural constitution (i.e., the dosha(s) you were born with; most people are born with one or two dominant) and any imbalances you are currently experiencing (this is your current state of being and may or may not conflict with your dosha). In general, it is beneficial for everyone to slow down a bit now in order to take stock and reflect on what you would like to create and shift going forward.