I use these skills to embrace the reciprocity of life. This “Needs Compass” helps me stay regulated rather than clenched/stressed.

As I take a risk, I cannot imprison my sense of 'good enough' inside external conditions—we have, culturally, done this for far too long.

Learn the language of the body and tap into a biointelligence beyond your wildest imagination.

Demystifying nature-based practices. Try this New Moon journaling practice.

Wisdom comes with repair, even though breaking is painful.

We share DNA with trees. They are brilliant and ancient allies standing around us like pillars, holding the earth together.

Perspective is helpful. I want to call your attention to the long arc of time and remember that change happens in a thousand tiny footsteps.

In an embrace, we soften into our strength.

I was sitting at the helm of a small canoe, a swollen moon glittered across the open water….and suddenly…

I thought this summer was going to be magic, turns out I have to redefine magic.

So often we think of communication through words and content — yet around 70% of communication is nonverbal!

I want to share a practice of mine: Mindful receptivity: to intentionally open  – and be nourished by – the existing support around us.

Ignoring intuition is never the answer. OR when I do ignore it -- the universe seems to give me just what I need (and sometimes knocks me on my ass:). In this instance, it was a little bit of both

Sometimes the gestation of a seed is years and others a few short months, so plant them with intention not expectation.

To allow the soft fingertips of the sunset to touch those hard to reach places inside myself, and from there making room for the inevitable dark aspects in everything else.

The brilliant sun reliably rises too consistently to doubt the infinite intelligence of the cosmos. In 20 years of mental health practice, I have seen too much suffering to doubt the resilience of the human spirit.

More than one thing can be true at once.

To build a life that is open hearted and values ridden, it requires me to make space for internal fear, doubt and uncertainty. 

I often wonder, where along the way did humans forget their exquisite beauty and belonging? Why did we turn to structures that asked us to control and contort ourselves?

As I emerge from winter I feel like a teeming nurse log, a fallen decomposing tree with new growth bursting forth. Soft dead bark falling away, turning into soil, new ways taking form in my life as I grow and learn.

I return from my travels changed, yet more myself than ever. Isn't that strange? Peeling away the conditioning of stress and scarcity, allowed me to come home to my body.

My heart is currently demanding courage of me. It keeps whispering, and sometimes shouting, “Rest Woman!” Yet, I often notice a quick rebuttal from my mind, "But how? When? There is too much to do!" 

I am listening to my heart's pain, “what are you trying to tell me?” 

Whenever you change a system, it tightens it's grip. This is normal, change is hard. When you strengthen a muscle it has to rip before it can be re-built, growth requires a break down.

To momentarily release the perils of our world and see what is right under our nose. Breathe, soften your shoulders, settle.

It's hard to surrender to the simple mystery of being alive. To realize we are already here; there is nowhere else we can be. We get caught in the illusion of some “there” being better than here.

With all we have been through, along with individuals bravely disclosing their struggles, we are slowly realizing that mental health is part of being human. 

On the dichotomy of right/wrong and adopting an acceptance-based mindset

May you take a moment to admire your own resilience.

Your energy follows your awareness. What you pay attention to, matters.

Build psychological flexibility and strengthen acceptance and compassion for ourselves and others.

How do we lay down our defenses and openly accept ourselves, in a world where judgement is reinforced? 

One of my teachers always says, “logic makes poor medicine”. A reminder that we can’t think our way out of emotional experiences (try as we might!)

“I'll just tell you this: only if there are angels in your head will you, possibly, see one.” 

~ Mary Oliver

Our breath transforms itself in support of our survival. This Post has multiple links to support and deepen your understanding of breath and body.