When Did Rest Become Countercultural?

That's a question that we as a society need to seriously ask ourselves. When DID rest become countercultural AND perhaps even more importantly, WHY do we allow that to be the prevailing narrative that we all feel obliged to succumb to?!?! That's quite a big question to address. Plus, anyone who knows me knows that I tend toward being a tad (ok - more than a tad) wordy. That said, I am set to tackle this in as few words as possible in the interest of time knowing that ironically, that is a huge part of the issue. So here goes...

In spite of all our advances in technology and all of the various gizmos, gadgets, and appliances to make our lives easier and to free up our time, it seems to me that it hasn't had that effect. In fact, sometimes I think the pursuit of it all related to the more, better, faster mentality actually causes some of us to pick up the pace, keep going when our energy is waning, and ignore the signals sent by our body, mind, and spirit that we need to slow down, take a deep breath, stretch, or take a short break and walk around - even if it's just to refill our water bottle so we can stay hydrated to better focus on the task at hand. In essence, even our "breaks" are designed to be a quick way to get back into the grind and keep grinding away.

Sound familiar? It sure does to me! Striving for balance has been the on-going story of my life. Yep, it's true. We teach what we have most needed to learn and even keep learning! We are all a work in progress. Thankfully, I have learned a lot along the way out of sheer necessity and desperation, so that is why I'm so passionate about sharing it with others. Maybe, just maybe, something I say will click for you and help you to create a shift. (And by the way, I LOVE to hear about it when that happens, so please don't hesitate to reply and let me know what resonates for you.)

Here's the thing - I have sounded like a broken record since 2005 repeating the same message over and over again: "Healthy self-care is NOT a luxury; it's a necessity." That summarizes the gist of what we need to do to set the foundation to be happy, be healthy, and live a life that matters. So when it comes to putting it into practice, what stops us? And furthermore, what can we do to move past those blocks?

Like so many things in life, the answer is simple but not easy. Many of us are heart-centered people who long to make a positive difference in the world. We find that because of our desire to be there for others, we put ourselves, our needs, and our desires on the back burner. Sometimes, we may actually feel guilty or fear that we are being selfish and letting others down when we take time out for ourselves. What will they think? 

On the other hand, many of us are "Type A" individuals who are driven to high achievement and success. We love to meet new challenges, complete exciting projects, and crave that feeling of accomplishment we get in moving forward with our goals in all areas of life including our career and finances. 

And then - God forbid - there are those of us who fall into BOTH categories. Yep, that's me.

For as long as I can remember, I was an enigma even to myself as I went through life with one foot on the gas and the other on the accelerator. I was the one who ping ponged between the 2 extremes of the stress response. I literally was living in survival mode bouncing from periods of fight to periods of flight. I'd be out there "crushing it" only to find that I was crushing myself in the process and needed to retreat for a period of time to recover. How long of a retreat I needed depended on the level of depletion I allowed to occur before I crashed. Ugh! That is no way to live. I suffered from digestive issues, migraines, frequent infections, aches, pains, and even got mono at one point. The struggle was real!

Why did this happen? Because for a myriad of reasons  - including the real world responsibilities of working, raising a child, meeting expenses, taking care of the house, and all of the other demands of living - I was putting out so much energy without replenishing that I was burning out fast. Thankfully, I was able to come back from this and commit to restoring a strong foundation of healthy self-care which I now know and respect as essential for all I want to be and do! Healthy self-care doesn't stop you from that - it's the path to getting you there! 

I am so far from perfect - and I'm ok with that. As the saying goes, "Perfection is the enemy of the good." However, I do practice what I preach. I incorporate the 4 Keys to Nurture U into my life. I set healthy boundaries around my time and energy to get back into balance. I give myself enough time and space to feel like I have "breathing room." I have daily downtime to help me process the events of the day and renew my energy. I do what I need to do to feel calm, confident, and connected to the greater energy and purpose of my life. I listen to uplifting, transformational audios, including hypnosis and guided meditations. I stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced plant based diet. I enjoy mindful movement, especially my walks in the woods. Lastly, the older I get the more I realize the importance of cultivating joy, whether in the simple pleasures and tasks of daily life like relishing a nice hot shower at the end of the day or the bigger blessings of spending cherished time with family and friends - including my favorite furry feline BFF Bella. It's all GOOD! Now, isn't it time to Nurture U?

Well, I probably exceeded my intended number of words already, but suffice it to say that if I have gotten across the message that rest and healthy self-care are NOT the opposite of productivity, but rather the prerequisite, then I'm ok with that. I'm guessing that if you are still reading, then you are too.

Please let me know your thoughts on the topic. 

Also, as always, let me know if there's anything I can do to support you along the way. 

Wishing you wellness,

Mary Ellen

 

 

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! 

Sensitive, Strong, and Successful - A Powerful Triad

 As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), I have come to embrace this trait as my greatest gift and it is my hope that after reading this, you will learn to do the same whether for your own sake, or for the highest good of someone in your life.

You see, the HSP trait has been grossly misunderstood. In fact, the inclusion of the word "sensitive" is what leads to the misperception of what is actually a super power once you know how to harness its energy! So, the first thing we need to realize is what it means to be sensitive. While I do not discount the fact that as HSPs, we do feel things deeply, that is only one aspect of being sensitive. We are certainly not a group of individuals roaming through life with tears in our eyes or shying away from challenges. No, we can be found among the movers and the shakers who are committed to taking our lives to the next level and supporting others in doing the same. (Some of us even go so far as to feel like a badass when our confidence is up and we are out there making things happen.)

So, let's explore the definition of sensitive, courtesy of Oxford Languages online. One of the definitions that works for me is "quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences." That reminds me of an instrument that is more adept at picking up what it is designed to as opposed to another instrument that is less sensitive and therefore less able to do what it is supposed to do. Another definition that fits is "having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings." Yep. Those definitions are spot on when it comes to the HSP trait.

So, what's the problem? People latch on to all of the negative associations with the word sensitive. For example, some definitions include descriptors such as easily upset and distressed, unstable, and needing protection. You see? Same word - totally different connotations. 

That's why Willow McIntosh, a global sensitivity expert, came up with a whole new term for the trait: SENSORY INTELLIGENCE. That certainly captures not only the beautiful essence of the trait, but also conveys the power - and that's what it takes to be sensitive, strong, and successful. Recognize the trait for what it is and proceed accordingly!

Are there challenges that come with this trait? Yes, there are but they are absolutely surmountable BUT only if someone acknowledges and accepts being among the 15-20% of the population that has this gift. If you resonate with being an HSP but are put off, or worse yet, scared off (as I once was) by this trait, then you won't take the steps necessary to accommodate your needs and accentuate your abilities. This causes a whole host of negative effects including a great deal of unnecessary stress and wasted potential. It's truly a travesty to allow this to occur!

So, what now? I highly recommend that you learn all you can about this trait to become empowered. Even if you feel like you are barely surviving, trust me, you can get to the point of thriving. Why do I feel so strongly about this? Because I've "been there, done that" and now I have the knowledge, professional training, and the personal experience to help you to do the same. 

You CAN be sensitive, strong, and successful. Yes, you can and I can help. Why wait?? Get in touch with me and we can discuss how Nurture U Life Coaching can help you take your wellness and your life to the next level! 

I can't wait for the chance to connect!

Mary Ellen

Change Your Luck - Change Your Life!

 Wow! Someone once called Michael Jordan "lucky!" To me, that is truly incomprehensible. However, he chose to address the comment with a classy statement of truth. He simply agreed and said, "Yes, and the more I train, the "luckier" I get!" He is known for crediting the number of shots missed and games lost as the keys to his success. He kept on going. He had the determination and the dedication needed for high performance in his sport. Michael Jordan is a great role model for all of us as we seek to continue to grow, change, and improve our lives whether our goal is high level performance enhancement or to take better care of our bodies. It doesn't matter if your goal is related to your health, your career, your finances, your relationships, or pursuing your passion. When it comes to "luck" - success leaves clues.

Here's what I call the ABC's of what it takes to Change Your Luck and Change Your Life!

A - Affirm Your Intention

I like to use the word intention as opposed to just talking about goals. The reason for that is, for me anyway, the word intention helps me to tap into the energy behind the goal. For example, if someone comes to me for help to lose weight - that is the goal, but the intention is quite different. The intention is related to what the person most wants to experience as a result of making positive changes. The intention behind the goal to lose weight is very personal and varies, but generally includes such things as wanting to feel better in their own skin, to have more energy, to lessen the associated health risks that come with excess weight, to be able to be more active and to enjoy time spent with family, etc. Essentially, the "big picture" intention is that the person just wants to feel better and to feel more in control. An empowering intention is always stated in the present and captures the essence of what is most important. Coaching can definitely help you get clear about your deepest intentions.

B - Build the Habits You Need to Succeed

If you want to achieve anything in life, you will need to take action and take it consistently. One of the best ways to take consistent action is by establishing good routines and habits. Just like smoking is an unhealthy habit, exercise is a healthy habit. A habit is something that you have done over and over again so many times that it becomes familiar and somewhat automatic. A deeply ingrained habit is like a program that is the default setting in a computer. That's great if it's a good habit, but troublesome if it's a bad habit. The good news about habits is: If you can make it; you can break it! Habits can be changed. You can rid yourself of habits that no longer serve you and create new habits that will take you in the direction that you want to go!  It's simple, but not always easy. That's where coaching and hypnotherapy can be especially powerful tools for change.

C - Cultivate Confidence

In order to succeed, you need to have confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. This means, you must possess the confidence that you have what it takes to do what you know you need to do and perhaps most importantly, to keep going when the going gets rough. You have to be resilient and have a sense that what it is you want to achieve is not only achievable, but also is available specifically to YOU! That is really important. The belief that you can't do what needs to be done or can't have what you want will lead you to abandon your goals in the beginning stages as soon as something goes wrong. That's when you have the propensity to look at challenges as evidence that "it wasn't meant to be" or "it wasn't meant for me." As Marisa Peer, a well-known hypnotherapist always says, "You make your beliefs, and then your beliefs make YOU!" Confidence is an indispensable ingredient in the success formula. Even if you don't possess that quality now, confidence can be cultivated!

As the month of March draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the areas of my life that I have changed and need to change. Spring is a great time to renew and refresh your energy and your life. The idea to write about luck came to me for a variety of reasons, including the saying about "the luck of the Irish" and as you may notice from the photo, I am Irish ;) But the main reason I thought of it is that I have needed to implement the steps above so many times in my life. One of the most amazing examples was years ago when I wanted to increase my business. I really needed to shift my mindset and as "luck" would have it, I listened to a fellow hypnotherapist, Wendi Friesen, discussing the topic of luck and leading the group through a hypnosis session to improve our luck. It was pretty amazing. Shortly after the session, I had the idea to call the health and wellness reporter at one of the major news networks in Cleveland to ask if they would be interested in doing a story on hypnosis. Well, they were and they did! In fact, the story was over 6 minutes long! I was also featured on other TV shows, radio, and newspaper. How's that for "Lucky?"

Had I not affirmed my intention, built the habits needed to succeed, and cultivated confidence in who I am and what I do, none of that would have happened. I had a holistic approach that enhanced the energy/vibration that I radiated, shifted my mindset, and inspired the actions needed to meet my goal. If I can do it, so can you.

Yes, YOU CAN and I can help.

Blessings!

Mary Ellen 

 

Hypnosis IS Mind Control!

 

HYPNOSIS IS MIND CONTROL!

Well, now that I have your attention, let's talk truth over trash! 

As a hypnotherapist, I have always tried my level best to take every opportunity to educate people about the wonderful benefits of hypnosis in the most professional manner and backed by scientific research and information. In my career, along with frequent speaking engagements, I have had the good fortune and pleasure of being featured on TV, radio, and in the newspaper as an expert in the field. Yet, in spite of it all (and I mean it all), there still remains a great deal of misinformation regarding this amazingly effective way to enjoy the process of transformation as changes occur both faster and easier than with using coaching alone. Why would anyone fail to avail themselves of this evidence-based methodology for success???? One word: FEAR! 

So, now I hope to address that block.

It is a universally observable desire that people want to be in control, right? This is self-evident. Well what is clearly NOT self-evident is how to increase your ability to be in control and change the things you can. Of course, none of us can control everything - including other people, circumstances, and the events that happen all around us on a daily basis - BUT that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to control anything! The one thing we CAN CONTROL is how we respond to what happens in our lives. That response includes the thoughts we allow ourselves to focus on, the words we choose to speak, the actions that we take, and the pictures in our heads that we give our attention to. 

Can we control our response to what life brings us? If so, does that affect our ability to bring into our lives more of what we want and less of what we don't? The answer to both questions is a loud and emphatic YES! Then why does it sometimes seems so hard? Because of all that has been programmed and conditioned into our minds.

The mind is made up of the conscious, thinking, critical, analytical mind.  While we all like to believe that we are able to function solely from logic, that just isn't the case. The conscious mind is only running the show for about 5% of our lives! That's where the subconscious mind comes in. The subconscious mind is not an UNconscious mind, It is simply operating automatically below our conscious awareness and quite frankly, that's a good thing! The subconscious mind takes care of our on-going bodily functions like our breathing and the beating of our hearts and the digestion of our food. Could you imagine if we had to allocate our attention to direct all that? So, the subconscious mind is functioning 95% of the time and always on our behalf. However, since the job of our mind is primarily to keep us safe and alive, that's where it can get a little dicey. If simply allowed to remain unexamined or unchallenged, the negative experiences of the past can be a destructive force in the present causing people pain, fear, and undue frustration as they seek to live a life of happiness, health, and success.

That's because the subconscious mind is a running record of all that we have heard, seen, and experienced and unfortunately, that is always a mixed bag of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Naturally we want to avoid pain and move toward pleasure, but what the subconscious mind has been conditioned to believe to be the means to do that is often faulty at best. A further complication is that the subconscious mind learns both explicitly and implicitly, so we absorb a lot more than what was perhaps passed on to us intentionally. Much of what we have learned about how to survive in this world was downloaded into us (before the age of 7) simply by observing the people around us. In addition, the more frequent or intense our exposure to something, the more of an impact it has on us. 

For better or worse, all this shapes our reality. But, the good news is: that's not the end of the story. The story of our past need not define the potentiality of our future. And that's where hypnotherapy and hypnosis come in. They are powerful tools that we all can use no matter how, when, or why a problem or habit started and that's a beautiful process to behold. It never gets old and never ceases to amaze me. How blessed I am to facilitate this process for others! 

By allowing the body and mind to relax, a person becomes more open and receptive to all the suggestions that help to create the desired changes. Hypnotherapy also helps people to tap into the power of their own inner wisdom to gain the necessary insight they need to heal and move forward. Through hypnotherapy, people are able to connect with their own sense of power, not over anyone else, but rather over their own lives. This is reinforced during sessions as people begin to see themselves in a better, brighter future.

So, the shocking headline that Hypnosis IS Mind Control is not so shocking after all, is it? 

Rather than living by default, by choosing hypnotherapy and hypnosis, it is you that can regain control over your own mind and therefore, your own life. You can heal the past, enjoy the present, and co-create your future!

Yes, you can and I can help. 

The combination of holistic wellness life coaching is a fabulous option for not just change, but transforming your life. 

There - now you know the truth! Let me know if you have any questions or would like further information. Have a Blessed Day!

https://nurtureulifecoaching.com/

 

The Myth of Blooming Where You Are Planted!

Imagine if you will, the most beautiful, lush hibiscus with vibrant scarlet blossoms and verdant dense foliage. The plant is uprooted from its tropical paradise and transplanted in the dry, desert sand. A nearby cactus with its blossoms in full splendor is taken and transplanted in the tropical paradise location. 

Both the tropical paradise and the desert as well as the two plants are magnificent creations. Each is miraculously designed to be unique, adding to the beauty and wonder of the universe. However, a short time later, each plant is barely surviving whereas they were both once thriving! The hibiscus is dry and burnt. The foliage is sparse and the blossoms have all withered away. The branches are dry and cracking. The cactus blooms are also gone. The cactus itself is spongy and rotting.

How does it happen that the two once beautiful plants are now dying?

The answer is quite simple and yet profound. No matter how beautiful the plant or the environment, the two must be matched to encourage each to not only survive, but to thrive! There is nothing intrinsically wrong with either plant or even the two different environments. And furthermore, passing judgment about the devastating results and bemoaning what has already occurred would be futile and a waste of energy. The fact is, the divine design must prevail, thus the myth of blooming where you are planted must be laid to rest.

Each of us is a magnificent creation capable of radiating our beauty, joy, and love out into the universe through our own special skills, talents, and abilities. This can only occur if we acknowledge, respect, and appreciate ourselves for the divine beings that we are and honor our own unique needs. As we choose to do so, this benefits not only us, but all those around us as well. How we care for ourselves impacts all that we think, say, and do. In other words, if we want to be happy, be healthy, and live a life that matters, we simply cannot afford to live any other way.

So, if you are feeling like you are just (or barely) surviving rather than thriving, there is a way out and up. We need to tune into our thoughts and feelings as important barometers that measure whether we are in alignment with happiness, health, and purpose. If you are having a variety of chronic health issues, that's your body's way of alerting you to pay more attention to nourishing your body, mind, and spirit in ways that add to your well being. If you find that your moods are negative and heavy, again, that's a signal that you are off track and need to head in a new direction. We really do get these messages each and every day and if we ignore them, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the messages can and do get louder and often result in conditions that demand our time and attention.

That's why, the number one message of Nurture U has always been that "Healthy self-care is NOT a luxury; it's a necessity!" You are the only one that has the power to make the decision to give yourself what you need to flourish and yes, that means if what you are currently doing and experiencing is not working for you, then it's time to change. It's time to Nurture U! 

Yes, YOU CAN and I can help! Together we can help you get clear about what it is that you DO want, set positive intentions, and choose the inspired action that will head you in that new direction. Perhaps, most importantly, you will experience and learn the incredible power of tapping into the mind-body-spirit connection in the process of change. That is truly "the difference that makes the difference!"

Why wait? Find out how Nurture U Life Coaching can be tailored to help you to meet your unique challenges. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.

If you or someone you love would like to keep in touch with the latest News to Nurture U, please sign up here and you will receive a copy of the Nurture U Holistic Wellness Self-Assessment Tool. That is a great first step toward the healthy self-care that you not only need, but deserve. 

Trust me, it's a process; so let's get you started. 

Be well. Be blessed.

💛Mary Ellen 

 

Get Out of Your HEAD and into Your HEART

I love walking in the woods. I will freely admit however, that this time of year it is much more challenging for me due to the cold. But, if the sun is out, it makes all the difference in the world! My solitary walks help me to get out of my head and into my heart. Just to be clear, I'm not saying that being in our head is always a bad thing. It's only when we get caught in a downward spiral of negative looping and feedback that we need to recalibrate.

I'm a big fan of acronyms as anyone who has followed my work over the years probably already knows. So as I was preparing to write this post, the acronyms for HEAD and HEART flowed right to me.

Let's start with what happens when we get stuck in our HEAD: Hijacked Emotions And Detours. I have a feeling just reading those words may create some resonance with the message already. 

When we are stuck in our heads, it really does feel like our emotions have been hijacked and are out of control. We often end up wandering off the path leading to our best and highest good and end up in some dark, desolate, and dreary places that we would rather not ever visit let alone get stuck in. How does this even happen so fast that we get so far off track before we even realize what is happening?

If we work our way backwards, we find that what we are feeling was likely triggered by a disempowering thought in response to something or someone in our environment. Continuing to work in that direction, the thought may have arisen from a cluster of thoughts that were repeated over and over again and became solidified into a deep-seated  attitude or even a long held belief. Beliefs are formed over the years through all that we observe and experience, especially when accompanied by an intense emotion. Unfortunately, before the age of 7, our beliefs are simply downloaded into the subconscious mind without our ability to pick and choose according to the filter of what is in our best interest. That's why we often refer to that as our "programming' because it is running in the background of our lives at all times until we actually do something to change that. Of course, not all programming is negative, disempowering, or undesirable. In fact, much of it helps us to lead productive lives. It's only the disempowering programs that cause us to sit up and take notice.

When the negative programs rear their ugly heads, that's when it's time to get into our HEART: Healthy Empowerment And Receiving Truth. When life gets out of whack, that's exactly what we most need. (It's rather unfortunate that far too often we let it get to that point before we realize what we need.) As alluded to by the acronym, to be in our heart means that we need to s l o w down, stop thinking so much, and get into a quieter, more receptive state of being. When we are running around (and that can be physically or even mentally) on default mode, we miss so much of the inner wisdom that is always available if we can just find our way back to that innate connection. We can do this eyes open or eyes closed, in solitude or even in a crowd, in silence or not. It's a silence of the heart that we are looking to cultivate.

This takes practice. If the only time we try to tap into the fountain of intuition is when we are desperate and fried, it is going to take a whole lot more effort to stop spinning and start grinning. That's why a daily meditation practice is so very important. You literally teach your brain and body how to disconnect from chronic stress and develop new habits of calm and clarity. This allows you to build healthy neural networks in your brain and positively alters your biochemistry. It's not rocket science! It's even more exciting than that; it's neuroscience! And the way to help your head has been proven to be through your heart. Why? Because it's your heart that has the strongest electromagnetic field of the entire body. Did you know that more information is sent out from the heart than from the brain? It's true! Isn't that amazing? 

If you are interested, I can teach you a heart-centered meditation technique. It's based on research, fast, and effective! It's a great way to get started with meditation. In fact, in honor of February being Heart Health Month, I will even send you a complimentary copy of my "cheat sheet" that explains how to do SIMPLE Meditation! This is a technique that you can't learn anywhere else because it is a Nurture U Exclusive. 💘 If you are not yet a subscriber, just CLICK HERE so you can get started learning and practicing this powerful and uplifting meditation. Just send me an email requesting the SIMPLE Meditation PDF and I will send it to you. After trying it out, you are also welcome to call me with any questions you might have. 

That brings me to the last and perhaps the most important point of all. You may so desperately want to bring about change to allow yourself to cultivate that calm and clarity but feel like every time you sit down to meditate, you feel like it should be called "agitate!" Believe me, I get it! That's why as a coach, I went on to get certified as a Hypnotherapist. I needed a tool to help my clients (and myself!) to get unstuck and that's exactly what I learned!

Honestly, I feel that when we get stuck, Hypnotherapy is THE BEST TOOL for healing and insight, and then mediation can be used for maintenance. Sometimes we just can't forge ahead on our own. We need some support to move forward, to release blocks, to tap into the mind, body, spirit connection and then once we have done that, we are better able to continue on our own. Hypnotherapy can help you to "marry a positive intention with an elevated emotion", as Dr. Joe Dispenza puts it. Without the ability to do that, you will not be able to achieve the Heart-Brain Coherence needed to make the changes that you desire. Hypnotherapy helps you to do just that! It's a beautiful, healing process that I am so passionate about offering to others.

For more information, please visit the Nurture U Life Coaching Hypnotherapy page. You are also welcome to contact me with any questions you may have related to your specific challenges as well.

As always, wishing you wellness, love and light, and all that is good.

Mary Ellen