MAKE 2022 THE YEAR TO NURTURE U! 

Here are the 4 Keys You Need to Succeed

I always hesitate to use the words "success" and "succeed" in my content or on my website. Why? I couldn't quite put my finger on it until I read Sarah Santacroce's wonderful book, Marketing Like We're Human. After that, it became crystal clear to me that those words are often loaded with meaning and can trigger feelings of pressure, stress, and cringing at the thought that we are somehow "less than" as we are and need to get ahead in order to earn our worthiness. UGH! The word success has been overused and somehow corrupted because so many of us are conditioned to associate the concept as simply a means to a nebulous end that requires that intense driving and striving energy which is NOT what Nurture U is all about. I think you get my point! So let's redefine success right here, right now.

In a nutshell, success is about quality of life! True success is about finding a sense of balance in order to be happy, be healthy, and live a life that matters. Yes, that does indeed require effort, but for many of us, we need to step away from "efforting" and learn how to incorporate more of the "go with the flow" attitude to keep us out of living in a chronic state of fight or flight! Perhaps this all sounds a bit like a "note to self." Yep - you guessed it! It is. Read on and see if you can relate...

I am the craziest mix of characteristics. I always have been. As a result, I never felt like I fit in. (But now I know that's ok and I am blessed with the very best of friends who know and appreciate me just as I am!) On one hand, I am super driven to achieve. On the other hand, I am a Highly Sensitive Person, HSP, who needs a lot of quiet, solitude, and downtime. I also suffer from what I have come to call "TFS Disease" which stands for Too Freaking Serious. My mind is very active. I love learning and taking in new information, especially on subjects I'm so passionate about like plant based eating. I think way too much and oh so deeply too. Yet, I have a quick and clever sense of humor that earned me the honor of being voted "Wittiest Girl" in my high school graduating class. I even showcased my humor at a local tavern with two appearances doing stand up comedy on open mic nights. The dichotomies go on and so could I, but I digress. My point is, that I often feel like I'm going through life with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. I always need to attend to the issue of BALANCE! How about you?

Chances are your challenges are different than mine, but yet it's safe to assume that you know that feeling. You want to do more and be more, but pushing yourself nonstop and regularly beyond your limits is simply not sustainable. That's precisely how Nurture U came into being. I finally embraced what has been the company motto and my North Star (officially since 2005, but the foundation was slowly built for many years preceding that): "Healthy self-care is NOT a luxury; it's a necessity!"

In more recent years, I have streamlined an approach to helping myself and my clients to put this into practice by attending to The 4 Keys to Nurture U as listed above. Here's a bit more about each of these keys. Although I was not able to so clearly define them before, I realize now that the 4 keys have always been my focus.

1) Calm Your Life

This is the first key for a very good reason! If you don't make the time and space for quiet and reflection, you may find yourself stuck in default mode where you are perpetually reacting to the people, circumstances, and events in your life and feeling like a victim. Contrast this with feeling empowered to co-create a life more in alignment with your values and purpose, choosing your responses, and enjoying the freedom of balanced living. To get to that point, you need need to know how to set healthy boundaries around your time and energy. This is one of the first things I help my clients to do in order to attend more fully to the other 3.

2) Soothe Your Soul

This second key is just as awesome as it sounds. It's all about tapping into the mind, body, spirit connection. The word "soul" in this context means the deepest part of you, your unseen essence, your energy, and/or your spirit. Soul encompasses all that and more. It's what some call your "True Self." In order to live as a happy, healthy, heart-centered person, you need to cultivate a sense of calm, confidence, and connection. When I work with clients, the best way I know of to access all this inner wisdom and the highest self is through relaxation and guided meditation. It's a beautiful thing! That is how Nurture U sessions were dubbed "a spa for the soul." I also teach my clients some basic breathing and meditation techniques. We explore other ways of balancing the nervous system for optimal functioning as well including walks in nature, spending time near water, and daily practices such as yoga and journaling. It's all good!

3) Care for Your Body

This third key is often viewed as things we need to add to our ever lengthening "to do" list. In fact, some people view this aspect of self care in such a negative light that is becomes a dreaded combination of shoulds, oughts, musts, rules, regulations, and is quite frankly, completely devoid of joy! But, it doesn't have to be that way at all! In fact, the Nurture U way is a gentle way that incorporates 3 basic categories: The Power of Plants, Mindful Movement, and The Wonder of Water! That doesn't sound so bad now, does it? Here's a brief summary of what I work toward with my clients to put this into action. I share with them how to start to move in the direction of just eating more plants! I call it "Whole Food Plant Based Joy" and trust me, I'm a foodie and that's exactly how I see it. No deprivation, just a yummy healthy way of eating that benefits our health, the planet, and the animals. More on that another time. Mindful movement is all about becoming more active in ways that renew and restore your energy rather than depleting it. It's about moving more, but also feeling good about the how, when, where, and how much you move too. Exercise can become more joyful and less of a chore when approached in a different way! Lastly, water is definitely the best way to hydrate your body and hopefully is, or can become, your beverage of choice - not exclusively, but rather as a primary source. (Yes, I drink some coffee and shhhh don't tell anyone, but I even put a little pure maple syrup in it too!) Water is also a great stress buster. There's nothing like a shower or bath to refresh, relax, and renew your energy. Being by a calm body of water does that for me too. I regularly incorporate water into guided meditations for clients who resonate with its healing and restorative powers.

4) Grow Your Joy! 

Yes, please!! Let's ALL attend to THAT one, eh? My youngest granddaughter who is 9,  has the cutest little go-to text reply which is HEHE. She truly is the embodiment of joy and spreads it wherever she goes and with whomever she is with so it is only fitting that I use that as the acronym for turning your life into a Health Enhancing Happiness Experiment! Doesn't that sound fabulous?!?! And just know, you don't have to quit your job, go on an extended retreat, live on a mountaintop, or even change much of anything other than shifting your perspective and priorities to let more joy shine through. For me, JOY stands for Just the little things, Obligations made more pleasant, and Your special experiences. The little joys of the day for me might include a slow morning reading something uplifting while savoring my coffee and enjoying a big bowl of fresh, colorful fruit before breakfast. (I love pretty food!) I also cherish the time I spend snuggling with my kitty on the couch. Other simple pleasures include sunsets over the lake and watching old sitcoms. Sometimes we just need to make a little extra effort to allow the time to enjoy the little things. An example of how obligations can be made more pleasant might include getting a little more creative in the kitchen, trying new recipes, or even making cooking easier by buying convenience items such as prewashed salads and precut veggies. Think about how you might make the things you need to do a little faster, easier, or even more fun. Put on music or listen to a podcast while you dust. Just try something along those lines. It really does make a difference. Lastly, make sure that you make it a priority to enjoy whatever is special to you! That might include travel, photography, painting, crafts, dining out, boating...whatever it is that lights you up. Make it a point to do more of that!

OK, so that's my take on the basic framework to Nurture U. Let me know if you have any questions or what I can do to support you along the way. Call or email me to set up a complimentary consultation to see if working together would be a good fit for you. Connect with me on Facebook and/or Instagram to keep in touch. Subscribe to my newsletter on the homepage of my website and get a copy of the Nurture U Wheel of Wellness and how you can use it to bring more balance into your life. If you are a Highly Sensitive Person, send a request to join my private Facebook group, TLC  for HSPs. There are so many different ways to move in a new direction. But whatever you do, MAKE 2022 THE YEAR TO NURTURE U! 

Who You Are as What You Do - Heal the Energy Reversal and Come Back to Life

There are times in life when we find that we are living in reverse. It is at those times that our energy is scrambled and we are quite literally doing things backwards. So, in that spirit, it only makes sense that I will address this issue in the same manner. Let's start with the end in mind.

Here's what you ultimately need to know: Who You ARE is the Energy that you can choose to consciously align yourself with and allow to be the determining factor in What You DO. It is NOT the other way around if you want to live a Life of Vibrant Energy, Joy, and Peace. You can choose to live that way in hot pursuit of those things, but you will end up exhausted as it is not a sustainable way of life. To do so is to mistakenly turn Gifts into goals and to place those things at the finish line rather than embracing them as the Source of All that is Good.

Who are you? There are a myriad of ways to answer this question from the surface and share such things as name, marital status, age, gender, job title, family roles, religious and other affiliations, hobbies, etc. But, that's not who you really are, is it?

Ask the question again, this time addressing yourself at the deepest level of your Being. Simply ask: Who AM I? and wait. Again, the typical answers will come as you skim the surface, but wait, as the infomercials remind us...there's more. Much more.

Some of what may surface comes in the form of bodily sensations. Perhaps you are feeling tense or ill or are in chronic pain. Notice whatever comes up. Choose not to judge it as positive or negative. Just let it be as it is for now. All physical conditions change over time and this too shall pass.

Notice too your thoughts and feelings. They arise in conjunction with the bodily sensations and often in reaction to them as you may find yourself labeling your experience. Again, let it be. Notice it, become aware of it, and let it pass through.

Whatever your experience may be, the surface issues will  begin to settle over time, and as this happens, you will notice that you are able to release more and more of the "stuff" you have believed yourself to be. Eventually, you will at some point find yourself in the Silence of Your Heart and it is in that beautiful space that you will be able touch your Inner Core. Some call it the Soul. Some call it the Christ Within. Some call it the Presence of God. And as Wayne Dyer has said, it doesn't even matter if you call it Louise! You will connect with that part of you which is Eternal, that part of you that is the Essence of Pure Love. You will KNOW that what you once heard about being made in the image and likeness of God is True. This is when you will KNOW the Truth that will set you free - in spite of all the dogma and dysfunction that may have clouded that message in the past. You will not just hear the words, you will at last embody the Truth and Oh, what a relief that is!

Once you Know Who You Are, you are Guided in all you do. Your intentions and inspired actions will at times almost effortlessly spring forth from the Everlasting Fountain of Wisdom and Love and all that is Go(o)d. Love is now properly reclaimed as the Source rather than the goal. You will know the Joy that comes your way when you choose to live a Life of Love, so that Love is extended as a natural outcome, rather than shouldered as a burdensome obligation that weighs you down as you strive to prove that you are who you already are. And that, my dear, really is all you need to know to heal your energy reversal and come back to Life and Vibrant Living.

Stop living life backwards in pursuit of the Good that is already yours. Live from Love as the Source of All and Who You Really Are and you will be taking the most Powerful Action for the Highest Good of All Concerned - including you!

As always, I trust that these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and Highest Good.

With Blessings, Love and Light,
Nurture U

The Basket or The Backpack? Powerful Paradigms for Processing Pain

The issue of pain and suffering is one that has undoubtedly plagued human history perhaps more than any other since the dawn of creation. I know that it surely has been that way for me. That said, I humbly present a perspective on pain that is a useful analogy for me in the event that it may provide something helpful for you as well.

Pain is often viewed as an unexpected and unwanted guest. We are unprepared for arrival, unsure of ourselves during the visit, and wondering when it will end. Rather than willingly accepting the inevitable once this guest has entered our house, we get steeped in the thought that what is happening in our house is wrong, so we send the guests away before we get to know them. We never allow ourselves to be open to the gifts they may come bearing. Just get them out of my house. Out of sight, out of mind. Or are they?

It seems that our guests have left some things behind. Now, even though they are gone, we are left to deal with the aftermath. What in the world is all this stuff? Why do I have to deal with it? I don't have time for this! It's not fair...etc. etc. etc. So, what do I do now? Clearly, this is my responsibility now. I cannot leave it unattended. I now, seemingly by default, must carry this with me wherever I go. That way, at least I stand a chance of sorting through it all and letting it go.

Here's where it gets interesting...

What happens if you put all of this "stuff", this pain, in a backpack?

You have quite literally taken it upon your shoulders to lug around, but at least you are attempting to deal with it by putting it behind you. You carry the weight of it rather easily at first. This makes you feel strong and proud. But, you notice that after time, it begins to weigh you down. The extra weight makes it difficult for you to get around and to do what needs to get done. Perhaps if you were stronger it would help, so you make attempts at building your muscles. This does help, but you realize that in the process, you allowed yourself to take on even more weight. Again, you can handle it. Again, you just need to continue to get stronger and stronger and to be able to bear more and more weight as time goes on. In addition, you begin to realize that perhaps your greatest challenge is maintaining your balance with this ever-increasing load. But that's ok. What choice do you have but to learn how to balance it all and still function? Some day, when you're not so busy, you will sort through it all, but not today. Today you just need to keep moving.

What would happen if you chose instead to put all of the same stuff, AKA "pain," in a basket?

Here you are with all this unwanted stuff to lug around. Oh well, how about finding a beautiful basket to put it all in? At first, you carry the basket with you wherever you go. You just don't know what to do with it all, but it is right there in front of you. Each time you pick it up by the handles, you can see at least some of what is in there. This allows you to literally "handle" its contents. Although the contents are indeed heavy, you realize that you can set it down. You also learn very quickly that if you do not choose to set it down, your shoulders round, your head is drawn forward, and your heart is closed but not really protected by the contents of the basket before you. Although you are busy, when you have the time, you choose to spend it looking through the basket to determine what to do with the contents. Some of what is in there you simply inherited from someone else and it has no value to you at this time. You remove it from the basket. Clearly this is not something that you would choose to continue to carry. Some of it, you realize, is not useful to anyone, and you choose to get rid of it. The basket continues to get lighter each time you set it down and sort through the contents. When you finally reach the bottom of the basket, or perhaps well before you get there, you find the unexpected treasure - the "gift in the garbage" as it has been called. You feel blessed that you had the opportunity to carry this basket on your journey, in spite of the temporary discomfort it may have caused you. You are grateful for what you have been given. You leave the rest of it behind.

In this lifetime, we all face a certain degree of pain. It is part of our earthly existence. Rather than carrying it like a backpack that weighs you down for the rest of journey, place it in a beautiful basket that you can sort through with full awareness and at your own pace. You too will be blessed with gems of compassion or wisdom or whatever your soul needs to find. You too will be able to lighten your load, live with grace, and move forward into the life that is your potential to lead. Don't get bogged down by pain. Carry, sort, and discover the treasure. Repeat as often as necessary. Joy awaits.

As always, I trust that these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and Highest Good.

With Blessings, Love and Light,
Nurture U