Archive for category: Blog

We often think of January 1st as an opportunity to “reset” … to begin again in the direction of our goals and dreams… It can be very helpful to stop, reflect on where we are and decide what’s next

And…

Each moment offers us this same invitation

Take a breath

Pause

Choose

As we start our day we can ask ourselves what do I wish to create today

Begin with intention

Finish with gratitude for who you are and where you are

In between

Take a breath

Pause

Choose

… Be present to this moment

 

 

 

…if you are looking for support in learning this process, please call 206.369.6069 ~ currently accepting new patients

Love YOUrself

 

Be a safe place for YOUrself

 

What might this look like?

 

Allow your inner dialogue to be one of love, kindness, compassion and respect

 

Look to see the beauty when you gaze at your own reflection

 

Choose actions that nurture and nourish your mind and body

 

And…

 

Gently notice the impact this practice has on your external relationships

 

When we are experiencing a “slump”…stuck in a rut or have flat out slipped into a hole of despair we often lack the motivation and perspective to transition  into a better space…to move past what is…

It’s at these times therapy sessions, time with friends or family, an exercise routine can be helpful

But what if you can’t encourage yourself to schedule a session, make that call or find your way to class?

Next time life feels joyful, inspiring, easeful create a list…

Place ~ nature? a city walk? a museum? yoga studio?

People ~ partner? family? best friend? puppy?

Activity ~ run? movie? book? barre class?

Where are you? Who are you with? What are you doing?

Use this list as a resource when feeling down, defeated or despondent…pick one thing and commit to connecting with that space, person, or activity asap for at least 20 minutes…that’s it.  Gently say to yourself “just twenty minutes” and check in after the twenty minutes to determine if your state of mind has improved, keep going if you feel uplifted…

Often if we take one small baby step and then another we find our bearings and the ability to move forward

Keep this resource somewhere for easy finding and refer to it in the challenging moments…cultivate your tool box and create change…

My thoughts…our story

 

 

 

I wrote this in October. I am not sure why it did not post but I found it today and wanted to share it with all of you…this is my story.

Recently I was told I could not work out for five weeks. That was five days ago. If you take a scroll through my previous posts or facebook page you might quickly assess that one of my personal “go to” tools for peace of mind has been stripped away for the time being. That last part took a bit of time to process; this is not permanent, you will survive this. Five, very long, days is how long it has taken me to change my attitude. I could not quite accept that I was sidelined.
A glimpse at my external and internal dialogue:
This is hell…
So unfair…
I am going to lose all my tone…
I HAVE to move…
I cannot do this…
Followed by:
Maybe I can get cleared earlier…
I am not supposed to go for walks but if I do 10,000 steps in the house does that count?(reasoning…)
AND to escape my thoughts I spent more time than I care to admit sleeping.

I was grieving. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression.

This process gave me pause. How often does someone come in to my office in this state? ALOT. While I sympathize, until now, I had not been able to empathize. In my “self coaching” I pulled out all the dialogue with myself that I would use with a patient “You have a choice here. You can think different thoughts. You can reframe this. The story you are telling yourself is the source of the pain.”

Until today I was not ready to hear all that. Until today I was not ready to shift. I needed to allow myself the feelings (just like I tell my patients…) and then in MY own time I needed to surrender to what is. The beauty of that process is today I am okay. Good in fact. I still have 5 weeks of healing ahead of me. I am making fun plans between now and then while marking my first barre class, yoga return and run in bright red on the calendar.

What I learned…
Despite this work that I do every day I myself am still in the learning stage
Some people might judge my plight as small and insignificant. Please do not do that to yourself or others. Choose not to minimize your pain. Let go of making yourself wrong or bad for your feelings. It matters. You matter.

We each have inside of us everything we need to find our path; to achieve our desired destiny.

AND

Sometimes we get lost in the forest of our own thoughts.

If you are feeling stuck; let’s create your compass.  I will show you the tools at your disposal.  We will collaborate to add to your existing tool box and recreate your map.

Let’s create you best life now…equip yourself to achieve your greatest dreams.

I am a Thought Coach and Behavioral Health Specialist…learning how to reframe our thoughts; empowers us to change our lives.