Consistency in an Inconsistent World

Consistency

Awareness, Contemplation, Action, Outcome
 -REPEAT

Do you feel like the change you desire is out of reach?

Do you feel exhausted and defeated?

I have certainly answered YES to the above questions many times in my life. What I continue to realize is that creating the change I desire is based upon Consistent Personal Care Patterns. (CPCP). I certainly have been known to lose my way and my own personal power. I may look for someone to blame, wallow in self -pity or just sit in a slump. In the words of Dr. Seuss- "Un-slumping yourself is not easily done."

The only thing you can truly change is yourself

This is the Lesson!

STEP 1- Awareness
What personal care patterns help you be more aware of your emotions, behaviors, thought patterns, desires? Are you ready to "un-slump" yourself?
STEP 2- Contemplation
Do you set aside time and space to contemplate how to create what you desire?
STEP 3- Action
What helps foster motivation in you? Who is part of your support team?
STEP 4- Outcome
Have you achieved the change you desire? If not, be patient and forgiving with yourself and repeat the process starting with awareness. Strive for a Growth Mindset- be curious, explore, open your perceptive lens.

"You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting
So.....get on your way!
-Dr. Seus

What Personal Care Patterns are consistently part of your regular routine?

Services at ReLeaf Bodywork Therapy are designed to help support you in establishing consistent, personal, healthy, care patterns. Checkout the offerings listed below to learn more or schedule a FREE Discovery Call.

Finding balance with seasonal and life changes

Finding balance with seasonal and life changes

The photo above was taken in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.  I love the dichotomy of the mighty Juniper finding a way to obtain the resources it needs to thrive in the harsh, high dessert environment by reaching its roots down into the rocky earth while stretching its branches to the sky.  The tree has found the balance it needs to survive. 

The season of Spring is represented by the Wood element in Five Element Acupressure. The Wood element is symbolized by the tree, rooted in the ground and reaching up toward the sky.

Excerpt from Archetypal Acupuncture- Healing with the Five Elements by Gary Dolowich, M.D. 

"In observing nature, we can appreciate that a tree needs to maintain flexibility and be able to yield in the wind.  The tree that becomes rigid and hollow, unable to bend, is the one that gets blown over in the storm.  Especially true when young, even in the case of the mature tree, the branches need to retain this characteristic.  This, then, provides insight into the process of growth, showing us that all living things need to be adaptable and change with the times.  And yet, throughout its life, the tree stays true to its inherent potential, thereby striking a balance between an inner directive and the outer environmental forces as it struggles to carve out a place in the world".

 

Here are some key words that can help you explore the Wood Element in your body,mind and life this spring:

leadership, self-esteem, self-respect, integrity, optimism, commitment, self control, self motivation, organization, planning, decisive, willing to change and take charge. 

___________________________________________
Taking time for reflection:
Grief and Gratitude

January into the end of March was a time of increased grief and sorrow in my life. I experienced the loss of our family dog, death of a dear friend's young daughter and the death of my father-in-law. I did my best to allow time to feel the grief and sorrow while also tending to self and family needs. There is a beautiful quote from Kahil Gibran from The Prophet-

"The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."

Gary Dolowich states that the symbol of the tree is a call to wholeness, encouraging us to embrace the darkness as well as the light.

I have begun to explore grief and gratitude. I realize how grateful I am for the time spent with our furry, friend Ziggy who taught me many lessons over the time we shared together. I am so very grateful for my dear friend and for knowing her daughter. And I have gratitude for the gifts my father-in-law shared with our family.

I am reminded that finding balance in life is about having an awareness of how we feel, acknowledging our feelings while exploring a feeling, attitude or thought pattern that provides a more heart based feeling. As HeartMath ® teaches- acknowledging a more depleting emotion such as grief and inviting in a more renewing emotion such as gratitude to help us find balance. With practice and time we can move from the ability to survive like the juniper tree. We can continue to grow and explore how to thrive in our body, mind and life.

Wishing you health, growth and balance in your life this spring season and always!

Lisa

What if it was EASY??

Personal Reflection and Exploration

What if it was EASY??

As we enter 2022, I have been reflecting on patterns in my life.
What feels good, true and aligned with how I want to be and live in the world?

What components are not as aligned as I desire and how can I creatively explore ways to grow towards my desired intentions?

How can I set intentions for what I want more of in my world while factoring in a variety of life dimensions such as: personal life, family life, social life, career goals etc.

During this process I have discovered a myriad of feelings I don't find pleasant to experience, yet they all are periodically part of my body mind experience. Frustration, resentment, sadness, anger, anxiety and of course I would be remiss to not mention fear.

A little glimpse into my life:

Over the past 20 years, I have experienced numerous barriers to achieving the life work balance I desire. I find myself complaining about not having enough time to fully build the business I desire. Family commitments frequently pull me off track from doing all the tasks needed to successfully run my own business. I focus on my immediate client-based tasks and not on future marketing, networking and business development. I find myself hesitant to jump into these additional business development areas as I am often unable to find the time and energy available to fully dedicate myself to these endeavors.

My husband and I have 2 daughters who are now in their early to mid 20s. In 2015 we were beginning to feel like we were rounding the corner in terms of the more time intensive years of child rearing. We were beginning to look forward to a return to a more individual and couple focused time period in our life.

Then life took a little detour when we became grandparents as our youngest daughter entered her freshman year in high school and our granddaughter's mom turned 20. It soon became apparent that my husband and I needed to step into a place of support for our granddaughter that went above the traditional role of grandparents. We love our granddaughter dearly and cherish our time with her. AND we also have to acknowledge that we are once again in the time intensive stage of child rearing.

I recently pulled out an Inspiration Card set based on the work of John F. Barnes authority on Myofascial Release. The deck was given to me by my oldest daughter for Christmas.
The card said:

WHAT IF IT WAS EASY?

Such a great question, one that leaves me a bit speechless and perplexed. I have to admit that if IT was easy, I would not be the person I am today. I would not be challenged to grow, to explore my full potential, to be more compassionate, more grateful, more understanding, less judgmental.

I invite you to explore your own answer to WHAT IF IT WAS EASY?
What do you discover within and about yourself?