self care

My boss is really a smart woman. Unfortunately, I don't always listen to her. But I'm working on changing that.

She's always whispering to me. A sweet nothing that sounds something like...

"Get up for a 10 min stretch break."

"Go walk the dog."

"Ask for help."

"Slow down."

"You don't have to do everything at once!"

"Breathe."

Some days, I listen to these gentle requests and I feel great when I do. I am able to stay focused and motivated and on task with my work during the day so I can focus on family and fun and rest in the evenings.

But other days, I brush her sage advice away. I work harder. I type faster. I multi-task more. And what happens? I usually end up not getting as much done, work later into the evenings because I think I "should" and am exhausted at the end of the day.

So the question I've been asking myself lately (and my boss supports this question, too! I did run it by her wise counsel) to help me discern when to rest and when to work harder is...

"What will give me the most relief right now?"

Some days, it's absolutely getting up from the computer and walking away for a bit. Or spending time in nature to reconnect to my creative self. Or reaching out to a colleague and asking for advice on a problem I've been noodling on.

But other days, the answer is to focus even more - batch my phone calls, turn off e-mail so I can write an article, make a list (a realistic one) and be able to check off everything on that list by the end of the day. Because then I will feel a sense of accomplishment and my mind will be clear heading into the evening or the weekend.

I find that when I listen to my body's wisdom I always win. The body will always choose relief and feeling good as the preferred choice! I have never subscribed to the old saying of "No Pain, No Gain" I think that's a bunch of hooey!

So the next time you feel stumped at work - perhaps have low energy or feel foggy headed or are just not sure what to do next - ask yourself what's the fastest way to relief? And see where it takes you...!

One week ago today, we were wrapping up another powerful, intentional, transformational retreat weekend. The New Year Solitude Retreat was the second weekend retreat that I have co-facilitated with my new business partner Geralyn Russell who is a gifted yoga and meditation instructor. 

The women who joined us came for a variety of reasons:

- to get a good night's sleep (the mom of a 5-month old)

- to de-stress (a busy professional woman navigating the early stages of a divorce)

- to gain clarity on how to spend her time wisely (a retired grandmother)

And all of the women left feeling different - lighter, more relaxed, more inspired, rested, more creative, more joyful -  than when they arrived. 

Jim Hallett of Washington State told his wife, Joanne who had flown cross country to join us,

"I have never seen you so relaxed. You need to go on retreat more often. Once is not enough."

So the work of Solitude Retreats continues. We hope to launch our new website soon and we are excited to share the message with people far and wide about the benefits of solitude and the gifts of retreat. 

Personally, I have found that taking retreat time allows me to gain clarity and give myself permission to do things I normally wouldn't. And that includes taking risks. So I am going to share a bit of writing (poetry?) that I wrote near the end of our retreat weekend.

Solitude, by Elizabeth Barbour

"Solitude" moo the cows

"Rest" baa the sheep

"Be" cluck the chickens

"Breathe" whispers the wind

"Play" meows Heather the cat

"Love" barks Stormy the dog

"Peace" rustles the oak tree

"Contemplate" suggests the labyrinth

"Restore" beckons the retreat center

"Recharge" peeps the egg

"Renew" sings the bell

"Joy" proclaim the angels

"Celebrate" laugh the wise women

... and they all danced

under the full moon

in the fields

around the dinner table

beating their drums

listening to the heart beat

the pulse of the land

calling them home to

Solitude.

Shopping. Parties. Presents. Food (usually waaaaaaay too much!). Lights. Carols.

This season is so fun and so festive. I love it!

And, this year it's a little quieter than usual. I'm taking to heart the retreat work that I've stepped into this year.

I'm experiencing more quiet.

I'm giving myself permission for more space.

I'm realizing that I could knock myself to be the perfect friend/daughter/coach and extend myself to send cards, write personal greetings, buy gifts for everyone I love and care about (a verrrrrry long list!) ... but instead, I am choosing sanity... and just doing the best I can.

I'm spending time in silent gratitude saying over and over every day "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

This has been a challenging year for a lot of people that I know, myself and my family included. But there is so much to be grateful for. We are truly blessed.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and look forward to celebrating an exciting NEW YEAR with you soon! Thanks for reading, for being my friends, colleagues and supporters.

~ Elizabeth

PS If you are feeling ready for some R+R yourself but are also seeking the company of women, I invite you to consider joining me in the next few weeks...

2010...Begin Again - A New Year's Day Retreat on Jan 1st, 2010

New Year Solitude Retreat - A Woman's Retreat for Self Care and Spirituality from Jan 29-31st, 2010

Join me and Geralyn Russell this evening at 8 pm EST for our FREE Teleclass "Dissolve Holiday Stress NOW: 3 Simple Solitude Practices".

You'll take time to...

- BE

- BREATHE

- REST from the holiday chaos

- CONSIDER how you want to do the rest of the holiday season a little bit differently

Click HERE to register for this hour oasis and experience a bit of solitude this evening...

 (Geralyn Russell and I at BPW's Divas & Desserts - what a festive occasion!)

Is this holiday season wearing you out? That's a sure sign you aren't taking enough R+R time for yourself!

It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of life and miss the warning signs that you need to go on retreat NOW.

How do you know if you need a retreat?
~ You are tired or overwhelmed by all you have to do
~ You are scattered or lack focus
~ You can't find peace and quiet at home
~ Your creative juices are all gone
~ You give your time and energy to others and routinely put yourself last
~You have no energy left
~ You are grieving
~ You need new perspective
~ You want to DO less and BE more
~ You are experiencing a life transition (a move, new job, marriage, divorce, the birth of a baby or a new business)

It’s time to nurture yourself. You deserve it AND taking time off will leave you feeling
~ happy
~ grateful
~ inspired
~ rested
~ joyful
~ relaxed

Doesn’t that sound good?

I’m planning two special retreats for you in January 2010...Begin Again and the New Year Solitude Retreat on Jan 29-31, 2010 but you don’t need to wait until then.

~ Decide you're ready for a retreat! (yes, even now as the holidays approach!)
~ Pick a day, time and location (even 15 minutes of relaxation can restore your soul)
~ Choose activities that will nurture your mind, body and spirit (journaling, meditating, walking in nature, dancing, singing, creating art). 

The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activity and demands on your time and attention. You can choose to retreat and renew your body, mind, and spirit. Then you'll enjoy the season a whole lot more! :-)

After the holidays, I’d love to have you join me on retreat January 29-31, 2010 so that you can...

~ Rest
~ Focus
~ Enjoy peace and quiet
~ Explore your creative side
~ Put yourself first
~ Renew your energy
~ Achieve a new perspective
~ DO less and BE more
~ Come away inspired about LIFE!

And if you need a break NOW, join me for my FREE Holiday Teleclass Wednesday December 16th at 8 pm EST called Dissolve Holiday Stress NOW!

It's that time of year again. I don't need to describe it to you. Most people either love it or dread it. There aren't a whole lot of fence-sitters on the topic of the holidays. If you are ready to disembark from the holiday crazy bus, here are three simple steps to help you.

1. Create Space. Pull out your calendar RIGHT NOW and look at the month of December. Are there hours or days that are not accounted for? Choose a few chunks of time - 30 minutes here, 2 hours there, an entire day (wow!) - and block them out just for you. This is the season of giving, but if you don't start by giving yourself some spiritual food in the form of space and time to breathe and think, you won't have anything left to give anyone else!

2. Envision your Ideal Holiday. Take a blank sheet of paper and write 5-10 things that would make your holiday just perfect. Then, talk with your loved ones about how you can incorporate some of these ideas into your holiday plans.

3. Self Care SOS! Make a list of all the things that help you to destress. Post it on your refrigerator and every time you feel the holiday crazies coming on, choose a self care tool that will come to your rescue. Examples: eating an organic meal in a relaxed environment, getting a babysitter for 3 hours so you can go do yoga, meditate for 10 minutes before you start your day, saying no thank you when you really don't want to do something.

If you want more tips and inspiration from me , I invite you to join me for two exciting events in December.

*** For Tallahassee area folks: I'll be the keynote speaker on Tuesday Dec 8th at the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Professional Women's Forum and I"ll be talking about how to thrive during the holidays!

*** For people all over the country: Join me and Geralyn Russell for our Dissolve Holiday Stress NOW! Free teleclass on Wed Dec 16th from 8-9 pm EST. It's sure to be a respite in the midst of a busy holiday time!

Is your list of “shoulds” so long you never have time to consider the “coulds” like rest and renewal?

Who but YOU can give you the permission you need to take care of yourself?

So many women give, give, give ... and they give some more! They give it all away to other people...then there's nothing left for themselves at the end of the day.

Is that you?

Why do you do this? What's the benefit?

Seriously.

Burn out? Exhaustion? Feeling temporarily satisfied for helping others but ultimately sacrificing yourself in the process?

Stop the madness!

Stop right now and make yourself a permission slip.

I Give Myself Permission to  ________________________

(be instead of do, take the day off, slow down, quit my job, pursue my dreams, start my new business, leave my unsupportive relationship, let go of limiting beliefs, take myself on a retreat).

How does that feel?

Post your permission slip somewhere where you can see it regularly.

And actually follow through and HONOR your permission slip to yourself - it's a commitment to your health and well-being and happiness.

Experience the freedom, power and control that comes with choosing something that makes you feel good, something that nurtures you.

Don’t wait. Choose to feel good now. Choose to take care of yourself now. There will never be a better time.

The human mind and body are capable of incredible feats but they are not capable of constant effort without opportunities to rest and renew. It often takes a life transition like birth, death, relocation, job change, or illness to remind us we need to slow down and take some time for ourselves.

You don't have to wait for something bad to happen to start practicing self care!

You are probably adept at multitasking, going, doing, and taking care of things. In light of this, you may be asking
- What does "self care" really mean?
- How can I practice it?
- Why do I resist it?
- How can I incorporate self care practices into my life?
 
I’ll be answering those questions at my next Solitude retreat and I hope you’ll join me.
The New Year Solitude Retreat is January 29-31, 2010 at an organic farm in southern Georgia. It's gorgeous and the perfect place to get away and reflect on self care.

I don’t want to leave you hanging, though. Here are 5 questions to get you moving toward practicing better self care TODAY.

1. Define what self care means for you. List 5-10 actions you could take to practice self care.

2. How do you feel when you give yourself the gift of self care? And how do you feel when you haven't practiced self care in a while?

3. Why do you resist self-care? What are you avoiding in your life?

4. What's one thing you could do today to get yourself back on the self-care path?

 5. Are you ready and willing to return to self care? If so, grab your calendar and write in a self-care date with yourself. Then sigh with relief as you imagine how you'll feel once you give yourself this nurturing and loving gift!

I hope these questions inspire you to take action, to get serious about self care. We’ll be talking about this more on retreat but until then, here are some ways to incorporate self care into your busy life
1. Stop doing things that aren't necessary, vital, or uplifting.

2. Turn off the phone, the TV, the radio e-mail, and the computer for one full day each week.

3. Clear physical clutter from your life.

4. Clear mental clutter from your life, too. Create lists, delegate, or even ignore.

5. Take yourself on retreat for a few hours, a day, a weekend.

6. Just say "no". No is a complete sentence.

7. Create space to allow you to see what you need to give yourself permission to do (or not do, as the case may be!)

Not sure you're motivated to do it on your own? Consider joining us for a group experience to learn how to practice self care- the power of women in community is transformational.
I hope you’ll join me January 29-31, 2010 for the New Year Solitude Retreat.

I'm excited to announce two upcoming retreats that I'm hosting that I think are going to be fabulous!

The Solitude By The Sea Retreat is going to be a weekend of luxury!!! You'll want to start planning now for this October 15-18 weekend. I'm co-facilitating it with my fabulous friend Geralyn Russell who is a yoga instructor, DOGA instructor and meditation teacher. She is amazing and together we are going to co-create an experience that participants surely won't forget!

We've rented a 5 star retreat home on St. George Island, FL and are planning a magical weekend for all who come! We expect people will be traveling from all over the country because St. George is renowned for it's beaches and who wouldn't want to be in Florida in October, perhaps the most glorious month of the whole year here? Click here for more details!

I work with clients all the time on their negative thoughts and limiting beliefs - whether it's about money or relationships or work or family... you name it. But now I'm working on some of my own.

I've been working on some health issues lately and one of the important components to regaining my health is daily movement.  I thought if I was doing something 30 minutes 3 times a week, I was doing pretty well. But my doctor is encouraging me to do something active every single day.

Here is my inner battle to shift my stinkin' thinkin' about exercise:

"I hate to exercise!"

"C'mon, E. Is that really true? You don't hate all exercise and you don't hate it all the time. There are some parts you like sometimes."

"Oh yeah, like what?"

"Well, you like being out in nature when you walk Andy in the woods."

"Um, yeah, I guess so. But I hate to sweat!"

" Yes, but remember that guy you dated in college who thought that sweat was sexy? Try to remember that."

"Uh, OK. But I get so tired when I exercise."

"Just think how tired you get when you don't work out for several days in a row. Exercise actually helps you to feel better and have more energy, even when it's hard to get motivated."

"Yes, you're right. OK so what can I think so that I can have a more positive attitude? I don't want to say stuff that isn't true for me!"

"Well, try these affirmations:

- I feel great after I exercise.

- My body gets healthier each time I work out.

- Andy needs to be walked anyway!

- I am learning to appreciate the important role of exercise in my life.

- I sleep better when I exercise.

Everytime I catch myself thinking 'I hate exercise" I immediately stop myself and say "WAIT! that's not totally a true statement. What is true for me?"

Try it and see what works for you... let me know what habits you are trying to change.

This past weekend, my beloved husband went to Charleston, SC for a bachelor party. He had a great time with all of his college buddies partying until the wee hours of the morning. He came back exhausted.

I, on the other hand, feel refreshed and invigorated as a result of this weekend. Why? I gave myself permission to have a retreat at home.

Originally I had planned to make the trip with him and visit a girlfriend but when I realized that I wasn't feeling so hot and desperately needed to simply rest, I decided to stay home and create an intentional sanctuary for myself.

Highlights of my retreat weekend:

- I didn't drive my car for 2 full days.

- I didn't turn on my computer for 1 full day.

- I turned down an invitation from a friend for a walk because I wanted to be alone.

- I napped three times.

- I watched 4 hours of really bad TV on the Hallmark Channel and 2 hours of OK TV on the Lifetime Channel.

- I journaled, went for a hike with my dog, swam in our pool and read magazines.

To plan a retreat at home, follow these simple steps:

1. Determine how long you have to indulge yourself. It could be just a few hours or, as in my case, two full days.

2. Tune in to what you are craving. I realized that I was craving three things: a) rest b) quiet and c) alone time

3. Engage only in activities that make you happy. You don't have to force yourself to grow spiritually or eat super healthy or anything else you don't want to do.

4. Set boundaries. You can decide not to answer the phone or turn on the computer or even leave the house.

I'd like to encourage you to check your calendar now and see when you can schedule your next at-home retreat. Think about what you need - dancing, yoga, a bubble bath, read a novel just for fun - and go for it!

Click here to read the Time magazine story about clutter and simplifying your life.  A Guy Named Dave is on a personal quest to scale down on "stuff" and has received a lot of media attention lately because of it. You can read all of his 100 Thing Challenge ideas at his blog. 

I know that I do not choose to reduce all of my personal possesions to 100 things. What about my books? My photos? My jewelry? Those are all beloved and sacred to me!

But do I have too much stuff? Yes.

Does it feel good to get rid of stuff no longer used, wanted or loved? Yes.

Does releasing stuff create space? Yes.

So I have embarked on my own 100 Thing Challenge which is to release 100 Things from my posession. Decluttering always feels good and if I have something that someone else could enjoy that is no longer serving me, that makes me even happier.

So far, I have released 43 items. 10 pieces of jewelry, 19 articles of clothing, 5 pairs of shoes and 9 other random knick-knacks. It felt good to donate some to a church yard sale (all proceeds went to our church) and some to Goodwill.

I would have written about this sooner, but I've been busy releasing my 100 Things...

Anyone care to join me? I invite you to comment!

Ah! Sweet retreat! I've just returned from 10 days out West and I'm feeling the expansiveness in my body, in my spirit, in my mind! I co-facilitated a one day retreat in NM and then attended a 6 day retreat in CO. I suspect I'll be writing in the coming weeks about some of my a-has and inspirations on my sojourn out west. But for now I want to encourage you, wherever you are, to take yourself on retreat ASAP!

My joyful co-facilitator, playpal, soul sister and dear friend Licia Berry and I recorded our second radio show 5 Elements for a Kick Butt Getaway! on The Celebration Station on Blog Talk Radio.  We did this after facilitating our retreat at Ghost Ranch and then experiencing the magic of the Echo Ampitheatre in Northern New Mexico (photo above). If you have 30 min to listen, click here and enjoy!

Or if you just want the quick skinny so you can start planning right away, here are the 5 key elements for retreat we highlight in our show:

1. Determine your purpose – why are you going? What do you need? To rest? To be in nature? To be alone? To connect with others? What are you craving?
2. Choose a great location – it can be your backyard, a local park, the beach or half way across the country. Make sure it’s a place that feels really good to you and will nourish you for a few hours or a few days.
3. Make it a multisensory experience – have yummy food, beautiful scenery, great music – or listen to the birds. Be aware of all your senses when experiencing retreat.
4. Create sacred space – create a little altar – something to mark the occasion. It can be with a candle or a rock or a pile of leaves – it doesn’t need to be fancy – but something to mark that this is sacred time and space for you to retreat
5. Pick a retreat process – retreats are more meaningful if you have a process to focus your energy – it can be journaling, hiking, collaging, focused conversation, walking a labyrinth. Something to focus your attention so your mind’s not wandering all over the place.

What is your favorite place to take yourself on retreat? Or where would you like to go on retreat? I invite you to comment below...

Yoga has been such a gift in my life since I moved to Florida last summer. I had done yoga on and off over the years but with no real "practice" to speak of. Now I attend classes twice a week at Namaste in Tallahassee - Mondays with Kathy and Geralyn and Thursdays with Charlene - and feel dynamite as a result!

If you are seeking:

- Clarity of mind

- Connection to Source

- A strong and fit body (relieve tension, improve flexibility, strengthen your core)

- Community of like minded people

then I highly recommend yoga - no matter where you live or what you do or who you are. It's important to find a style that works for you and a teacher that you can trust. I like the non-competitive style of classes at Namaste... my teachers emphasize over and over again "do what's right for you!"

Yesterday Kathy and Geralyn taught us the three A's and as I've been contemplating them for 24 hours, I realize that the three A's can be applied in all areas of your life - not just in yoga class!

1. Awareness - Notice how you're feeling. Notice your body. Notice your environment. Simply pay attention and listen for messages.

2. Acceptance - Don't judge yourself! Stop worrying about "do I look funny?" or "he's doing it better than I am" or "I'm not good enough". Start acknowledging that you're perfect exactly as you are and with what you're doing.

3. Adjustment - Move toward what feels good. Making subtle changes can give you great rewards. And sometimes, stopping what you're doing and trying something completely different is  the answer. Experiment and see what fits for you.

My first instinct today was to run out and buy bushels of flowers! The uber-sunshine and crystal blue skies of a Florida winter are intoxicating! I love wandering in a nursery and choosing my favorite new spring flowers. It's so refreshing and joyful and makes me feel ALIVE.

But then I had a sobering thought...

Flowers sure would be pretty right now but what about all those weeds? Wouldn't I be smart to take care of those first and then plant new happy flowers?

Weeds

- take up space

- look unattractive

- steal vital nutrients and water from other healthy plants

- can strangle or overwhelm other plants

Weeding is a good metaphor for life, I think. Getting rid of what is old, dead, bothersome or in the way is healthy ...for your plants and your life!

After you weed, you feel great, right?

- Your yard and garden look clean and inviting.

- There's space for your current plants to flourish and new plants to be introduced.

- You feel a sense of accomplishment for ridding yourself of unnecessary excess.

What do YOU need to weed out of your life?  Is it paper clutter, old clothes, unhealthy relationships, less-than-optimal foods, negative self-talk, limiting beliefs that hold you back from living your best life? Sometimes it's something mundane and simple. Sometimes it's something bigger and more profound. Whatever it is, it is likely holding you back in some way and addressing it NOW will help you feel cleaner, clearer, lighter and stronger!

If you're not sure what it is, I'd suggest getting out in your garden and get your hands in the dirt. As you let your body do the work and remove physical real-life weeds, your mind will wander and suddenly it will be really clear really fast just what other figurative weeds (thoughts, things or both!) need to be removed from your life.

After the garden, I'm heading to my closet...!

I've talked with several clients in the past few weeks about this notion of self care and I'm amazed at how many of us resist this idea. We are programmed to take care of others, put others' needs and concerns before our own, give, give, give until it hurts and then give some more.

What's the end result usually? We end up wearing cranky pants! We become tired, overworked, overwhelmed, under appreciated, resentful, unhealthy, cranky, crabby and noone wants to hang out with us and then we don't even want to hang out with ourselves anymore because we are miserable.

That is not a fun way to live and if you recognize elements of this in your own life, I encourage you to stop now and take a hard look. You can make some changes right now that will benefit you for the short-term and the long-term! 

Claiming Elizabeth's Year of Extreme Self Care reminds me that I deserve to treat myself with love and attention.  What are the benefits? 

- I am balanced, happy and whole

- I feel solid and confident about my life and who I am

- I am able to be fully present for the people in my life (family, friends, clients, colleagues) who need me

- I'm more fun to be around because I am enjoying life

- I'm more productive in every area of my life

- I'm a more insightful coach, a more loving wife, a patient and caring friend, an enthusiastic networker who enjoys meeting new people

What if you claimed this year as YOUR year of Extreme Self Care? How could that change your life?

How about you? Do you have a problem relaxing?

The crazy thing is, I thought I was doing a good job of being relaxed. I've been eating healthy and going for walks and spending time with my husband and friends.

But I think it's more than that. It's bigger than that. I think I need to be looking at the bigger picture of my life.

I think this is probably going to be my theme for 2008. Or at least a sub-theme!

I just started teaching the January Jumpstart Program this week and in the first module, I'm asking participants to tease out their goals for the year which will utimately lead them to their "theme for the year".

As I was pondering the homework I gave the class the other day, I realized that I need to remind people to look at not only what do I want to accomplish this year? ("the norm" for goal setting) but also

What do I want to EXPERIENCE this year?

How do I want to FEEL?

How do I want my life to be DIFFERENT and more ____________________(joyful, playful, loving, creative, dazzling, peaceful, etc) than it currently is?

I think if we focus more on the desire of BE-ing and less on the DO-ing that it eliminates stress and expectation and we have more freedom and passion to pursue our goals and dreams!  

I think I'll go relax now...

In our "Get Off the Holiday Crazy Bus" teleclass last week, Licia Berry and I had a terrific group of wise women who shared some wonderful strategies for practicing self-care during the hectic holiday season.

1. Honor How You Feel. This time of year is touted to be festive and fun and yet a lot of us experience complex emotions like grief and sadness and depression. Allow those feelings to be part of your experience and seek professional help from a therapist or personal help from a friend or family member to support you if you need it.

2. Spend Time In Nature. As one participant explained it "My whole system relaxes. I get away from the 'doing' and focus on the 'being'. I get to soak in what's real and I feel centered and grateful." So whether it's a hike in the woods or simply sitting on your back porch for a few minutes each day, time outside can do wonders for the spirit.

3. Be Playful. Be intentional about seeking fun and laughter during this time of year. Watch the Comedy Channel, go to a comedy club, see a silly play, spend time with children and/or pets and just laugh. It will boost your spirits for sure!

4.Thursday night bubble baths!

5. Get regular massage.

6. Meditate and stretch. Daily.

7. Listen to good music. Whatever makes you feel VIBRANT.

8. Enjoy good food. Whether you are cooking it or eating it, make eating healthy, yummy, nourishing food part of your holiday season. Bless your food and express gratitude for the fuel that keeps you juiced up and alive!

And just for kicks... the one that had us all rolling with laughter... when all else fails...

9. Eat ice cream out of the carton! :-)

Self Care Strategy:

Turn off all the lights, make yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy the warm glow of a Christmas tree late at night while others are asleep

Gift Giving Strategy:

Shop locally! Buy gifts that you can't get at the mall. That way, they'll be unique and you'll support local businesses.

Gift Receiving Strategy:

Tell people exactly what you would like or need for the holidays. Make a wish list. Be clear. You help your friends and family know what to get you ... and you get something that will make you happy!

Holiday Card Sending Strategy:

In each person's card, share with them the following: "What I really appreciate about you is..."

Decorating Strategy:

Only put out what you really really really love. Go through the rest and donate to your favorite charity so you don't have to store it or unpack it again next year and groan.

Family Strategy:

When gathered with relatives, ask everyone to share their favorite holiday memories. You'll probably learn some things you never knew (asking grandparents to participate in this is always special) and be reminded of holiday traditions that you may choose to resurrect.

Care to add any of your own? Please comment!

She's a wise woman. She knows I am very conscious and well-educated about my health issues and the choices I make. (I've been receiving acupuncture and other forms of alternative medicine for a decade or more.)

Once again, I was defaulting to our society's familiar notion "Ask the experts. They can fix me. " instead of relying on my body's own wisdom and innate knowledge.

I've had my head in the sand for the past few months, eating foods that "comfort" me but don't bode well for my digestion. I've had my head in the sand choosing to lay on the couch and watch mindless soap operas instead of taking my dog out for an afternoon walk. I've had my head in the sand avoiding seeking medical support and hoping that my health issues would "just go away".

How refreshing to have a health care practitioner who essentially said to me in very polite and professional terms "Get your head out of the sand and look at what you're doing! Trust your body. Stop ignoring the signals! Trust yourself! Listen to your intuition!"

That's one thing I love about holistic health care. By and large, these practitioners partner with you to cultivate the wisdom in your body to promote healing. They don't feign to be "experts" or to "know it all".

So... I do know what to do... how to eat well, how to exercise properly and how to nourish myself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

My head is out of the sand once again and it's so much easier to breathe up here! :-)

What do you have your head in the sand about?

(By the way, the photo is of our dog, Andy, with his head in the sand at Cape San Blas this past weekend. He was actually digging for a sand crab but I thought this photo seemed somewhat appropos...!)