Meeting Mortality with Sarah Kerr

When it's over, I don't want to wonderif I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,or full of argument. I don't want to end up simply having visited this world

Mary Oliver
When Death Comes

This conversation felt very personal in the emotional waves of loosing my mother in law. Sarah’s way of bringing compassion and clarity to the process of dying is beautiful and important.

My partner and I had a long talk about it after I had ended the interview. This is the power of bringing openness to these difficult themes - we don’t have to sit alone with our grief, fears, missing. Death is so foundational to life. And still so abstract. I hope you listen with some care and space around what it brings up for you. We need these conversations.

About Sarah Kerr, PhD

Sarah has been a death doula and ritual healing practitioner since 2012.  Her work helps dying people and their families connect with each other, and with the innate wisdom of the dying process. 

Sarah’s approach draws on nature-­based spirituality, sacred sciences, and the richness of the human soul. She designs and facilitates ceremonies that help her clients to integrate experiences of death, loss, and transformation. These rituals honour the spiritual significance of what’s happening, and bring healing to the living, the dying, and the dead.

As a founder of The Centre for Sacred Deathcare, Sarah is a teacher and mentor to death doulas and others who are called to offer spiritual support at end-of-life.  Sarah’s teachings validate her students’ intuitive knowing about death and dead people, and guide them to meet mortality in ways that are more healing, more whole, and more holy.

Find more of Sarah’s work here:

www.sacreddeathcare.com

https://www.instagram.com/sacred.deathcare

https://www.facebook.com/sacred.deathcare

https://www.tiktok.com/@sacred.deathcare

An ode to blubber; this body is not your battleground

I wrote this post for a site back in 2014. Yet we’re still talking about this. Still asking for the right to be body. To feel safe. To have body, not give you the right to traumatize. There is a long way to go. I have conversations with my three daughters about this a lot. I am sharing this again, as the blog I wrote it for no longer exists. My feelings and experience with being a body still does.

Denmark, 2014

Do you strive for perfection or feel shitty when you look in the mirror?Are you pretty sure that Self-Love is a short drive from Minsk? These are my thoughts on why being called fat in public once again pushed me to change how I related to myself - for the better.  

My weight… just writing that sparked so many thoughts that I have a hard time keeping up. Feeling forced to relate to how I look, what I weigh and most importantly what am doing about it has swung into my life again and again. 

Some have said I am easy on the eye, others say that there is so much of me I am hard to miss. This is a recent story about a personal-space invasion by opinions and the ripple effect of them. 

The foundation of my work is that you belong here exactly as you are. I believe that there is no perfect ideal to strive for. Body image, intellect, beauty, coolness. It has been the work I needed to do with myself to feel free in my life, and it is how I support women to feel content, happy and strong as they are. 

I know that for me not owning that statement has been exhausting. In motherhood I read books, looked at women who wizzed through the challenging parts smiling and looking great, and I felt like a constant failure. Going to meeting with oatmeal in my hair, or saying that i JUST gave birth to excuse the blubber on my belly. 

The art of comparison once again left me feeling less worthy. The foundation of being wrong or less than, isn’t a nice place to be and very very seldom leads to a life with happiness and ease. The self-compassion practice and showing up just as I am changed my life. 

Does this mean that that foundation is never shaken? No. But it takes a bit more to get the earth quaking, and it happened a few weeks ago. 

A little story I want to share.

I was out for drinks with my two sisters. We had a great time and we decided to end the good times with a burger. Now it is no secret that I have put on weight after the 2 pregnancies and what not, but burger it was – YOLO or something.

In the cue some guys felt that we had cut in line, and looked at me and said that I probably shouldn’t be in there anyway considering my weight. Well tears galore and I felt shitty. Reduced to an unworthy lump of Blubber (did you every read Judy Blume’s book? It’s awesome… anyway).

The sense that everyone in there were looking at me deciding whether they agreed or not felt humiliating. I had to get out of there. Shaken by how someone could effect how I felt about myself stayed with me for days. 

Fast forward 2 weeks and my man and I are away for the weekend at a music festival. As I am coming out of the toilet area a woman stops me. She is a scout for a model agency and thinks I would be an awesome model for the normal size/curve department… huh…

All of the sudden someone’s opinion of me steered me in another direction. 

So which “truth” do I go with? A third – my own? How I see myself? How I feel about myself? Or do I let either of their perspectives rule and dictate wether I feel worthy just as I am? Do I wait till I have xx weight to go out again or do I pout my lips and work it like a supermodel? The “you belong here, exactly as you are” reminds me that none of the above is my truth. It is their eyes looking at me. What matters is how I look at me. And this has been such an awesome reminder.

BMI and weight has nothing to do with it. I feel it is relevant for most women. I believe it begins with how you feel. Does the need to shift come from “I am a problem that needs to be solved” or does it come from a deep knowing of worth and compassion and from there asking “So what do I want”. 

This is what we can work on – how you see you. And knowing that you belong here, because hey you already are. <3

Plant Whispering with Rachel Corby ☾ 13

Well well well, back again with a new episode for you. This time with a woman I love dearly. Rachel Corby is a very special teacher, and I’ve had the privilege to have her teach courses 2 years in a row.

In this episode we will be talking about working with plants. About what plant whispering means and how this work is more important today than ever. She is a very experienced and respectful teacher - to the plants and students and her wisdom runs deep.

ABOUT RACHEL CORBY
Rachel Corby is a plant whisperer, medicine woman and organic permaculture gardener. Rachel has been working with plants and their healing properties since having her eyes opened to the incredible healing world of plants whilst working on a volunteer project in Guatemala back in 1998.

Rachel has been teaching remedy making and how to make more spiritual connections with plants since 2006. She runs workshops, online courses and retreats teaching these skills and encouraging the rewilding process. She is the author of the book, Rewilding Yourself; Becoming Nature. 

GO FOLLOW RACHEL HERE:

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE

Gode resourcer til tiden, foråret og nye veje...

Igår delte jeg nedenstående liste i mit nyhedsbrev . Det er nogle gratis resourcer som er fantastisk 'food for thought'. Resourcer som giver næring og måske svar, på de store spørgsmål vi sidder med om klima, natur, bæredygtighed. Især om livet efter denne situation, krise, pause, tid - lige meget hvordan vi forholder os, så er vi på ukendt grund.

Disse film, bøger, mennesker giver mig, håb og lyst til at tænke vores fremtid i et andet lys. Og hvis man ikke er til de store følelser, så er de bare virkelig spændende input. 

Hvad synes jeg så du skal tjekke ud:

1. Filmen 'INHABIT'. Jeg købte filmen. lige da den kom ud og har set den flere gange nu. Da krisen brød ud, så lagde de filmen om gratis. Den vil jeg anbefale! Den er tankevækkende, fyldt med håb og fremtid.
Se den her...

2. Gratis 52 ugers Permakultur kursus hos Permaculturwomen.com - for dig med have, som vil bruge denne tid på at forstå økosystemer, haven, flerårige planter og hvordan du kan skabe en have der er fremtid i, så kan jeg anbefale det KÆMPE arbejde disse kvinder har lavet her. Jeg har fået rigtig meget ud af det. 
Læs mere her...

3. Min veninde Laura Storm har sammen med Giles Hutchins, skrevet bogen 'Regenerative Leadership' og den jeg vil anbefale alle at læse. Nu har de gjort 1. kapitel tilgængelig gratis. Og den i sig selv kan give ny næring til, at se sin vej gennem, ikke kun corona krise, men det der er lige bag (eller foran) klimakrisen. Den ser fremad og jeg elsker det de giver os med deres bog.
Læs den her...

4. Det seneste afsnit af min podcast 'Becoming Nature' udkom igår. Her taler jeg med Rachel Corby om Plant Whispering og rewilding. Hun er en vanvittig vis kvinde og på instagram kan du lige nu deltage i en give away hvor du kan vinde hendes seneste bog 'Plant Whispering and the art of rewilding'. 
Lyt med her...

Jeg håber, der er til timers underholdning og fordybelse til dig her. Det var der for mig. <3

Enjoy :)

C

Regenerative Leadership with Laura Storm ☾ 11

We are back and we kick off season two with a talk about sustainability, leadership.

In this episode I talk to Laura Storm. Laura is my friend, inspiration and, in May, also my partner as we open the ‘doors’ to a retreat we’ve called ‘Rewilding yourself in the Workplace’.

In our talk we take a journey back to where we began moving away from nature and it’s intelligence and more importantly - where we stopped seeing ourselves as nature, a part of this eco-system. Laura talks to how we can take leadership, a new definition of efficiency and creating a language for tapping into nature’s intelligence.

Laura is a wealth of knowledge! This is one to listen to.

Listen in on our conversation here:

Laura Storm has spent her entire career working in the intersection between business, leadership, sustainability, climate change policy and innovation leading and creating impact- and purpose-driven organizations, conferences, campaigns and movements. 

Currently she dedicates all her work to Regenerators that she started in February 2018 and is getting ready to launch her book on Regenerative Leadership in June 2019 with her colleague and leadership expert Giles Hutchins. 

For her work, she has been awarded the title World changer by Greenbiz and is selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. She serves on multiple Boards – including the Danish Design Council, World Economic Forums Expert Network on sustainable development and climate change. She holds a Master in Political Communication and Leadership, with special focus on sustainability leadership, Copenhagen Business School.

Find Laura Storm here:

https://www.regenerators.co/the-collective

And our retreat in May here:

http://www.carinalyall.com/rewild-yourself-in-the-workplace

Zero Waste Home with Bea Johnson ☾ 6

I interviewed Bea for the first time four years ago. At that time zero waste was beginning to grow. Today it is not only for the *fanatics* who like? to chill, it is becoming a well known and even more importantly - integratable life style. In our family we are still not close to zero Waste. But we have made many changes and are working our way there slowly.

As you will hear Bea talk about the 5 R's, I know where I still feel challenged - the refuse one. We don't buy a lot. But we say yes to way too much stuff we don't need.

I feel fueled and filled again with inspiration after speaking to her. And even though you may not feel called to go *all the way*, I guarantee you will be called to make a few changes in your home. If we all did just a fraction of what she is doing, I can hardly imagine how it could shift things around.

The 5 R’s:
Refuse

Reuse

Reduce

Recycle

Rot

Listen in here:

Also check out:

Episode 1 - With A Plastic Planet

Episode 2 - 5 Simple Ways to Swap for Plastic free

About Bea:

Bea Johnson and her family have produced a mere pint of trash per year since 2008. Dubbed "The Priestess of Waste-Free Living" by the New York Times, Bea has been featured on TV shows and in publications all over the world. She shatters misconceptions, proving that zero waste can not only be stylish, but can also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings. With her simple 5R methodology and blog turned bestselling book (Zero Waste Home, translated in 25 languages, #1 on Amazon waste cat.), Bea initiated a global movement. She has inspired hundreds of thousands of people to adopt waste-free living, open unpackaged shops, conceive reusable products, and launch organizations. Leading spokesperson for the zero waste lifestyle, she has completed fourteen international speaking tours and given talks in 50+ countries on 6 continents. Her clients include Google, Amazon, Starbucks, TEDx, the European Parliament and the United Nations. She is a Grand Prize winner of The Green Awards, and a French native who currently lives in Mill Valley, California.

The Wise Ones with Stephen Jenkinson ☾ 4

You know those times you listen to a voice, a talk, a something that when it’s over you feel changed? That’s how I felt the first time I listened to Stephen Jenkinson talk.

Even more so after interviewing him. 

I could sit next to him around a fire and listen forever. In the lack of many elders in my life who I go to with my questions, in many ways here is a man who leads the way.

In this episode we talk about

*elderhood and the disappearance of elders in our society

*wisdom and what it is to be wise

*his new book ‘Come of Age’. 

*his work with people facing death

His way of presenting these important themes is not full of fear, it is full of life and hope. 

Enjoy his words. 

STEPHEN JENKINSON is an activist, teacher, author, and farmer. He has a master's degree in theology from Harvard University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Toronto. Formerly a program director at a major Canadian hospital and medical-school assistant professor, Stephen is now a sought-after workshop leader, speaker, and consultant to palliative care and hospice organizations. He is the founder of The Orphan Wisdom School in Canada and the subject of the documentary film Griefwalker.

Find more about him here: 

https://orphanwisdom.com/events/

His books:

Come of Age

Die Wise

His Orphan Wisdom Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/orphanwisdom/

6 Plastic Free Solutions for your Everyday life ☾ Mini Episode

6 Plastic Free Solutions for Your Everyday Life

In this mini episode I present 6 easy swaps from plastic to plastic free you can make in your home. These won't cost you much, some will even save you money. Comfort wise you should still be covered as well... ;) 

Is it full on Zero waste with little selection, no. Is it a good start, YES. This may tickle your curiosity to more changes, more ways to limit your waste. We all start with what and where we can. 

Some of them you probably know, or have heard of, maybe you just forgot or don't have resources for where to get your hands on them. Maybe this is your first time looking into what you can do to decrease amounts of trash and plastic in your household. 

Either Way I hope you will find it helpful and feel free to share with your friends that may need some Inspiration. 

The links presented are NOT affiliate links, just companies I really like or have been recommended. I've tried to link to companies that are located on different continents, so we lower the foot print that shipping World Wide can leave!

Also most big Cities now have stores dedicated to Zero Waste living. Health Food Stores have more and more options for plastic free living etc. And the more we ask, the more they will respond to the demand. Our Dollar is our vote. 

Resources...

The US

https://www.tinyyellowbungalow.com

https://www.greenmelocally.com

http://trashisfortossers.com/zero-waste-shopping-how-to-guide/

https://packagefreeshop.com

Denmark and Europe

http://zerowasteshop.eu

https://www.okofamilien.dk

http://www.ecoego.dk

https://www.loes-market.dk

Australia

https://banish.com.au

https://zerowastestore.com.au

Asia and Africa

http://earthtribe.co.za/about-earthtribe/

http://lavieenmarine.com/zero-waste-guide-for-asia/

Other posts that you may want to check out... 

Bleeding sustainably...

First steps to my Zero Waste Business.

INTERVIEW WITH ZERO WASTE QUEEN BEA JOHNSON

Becoming Nature, Episode 1 - Turning Off the Plastic Tap

Come Spring and Self-Sufficient Success. (Copy)

Last year I tried this thing on going *big* with the blogging. I think I took a dive into it with an off-start point, as I don’t enjoy writing advice and how-tos. I like writing about life, not so much to inspire the masses, but as happens to many I know, things process in a different way through writing, talking and sharing. 

One of the reasons why I enjoy circle work so much, is because things process differently in a setting like that. Where we aren’t there to deliver, put up a show, or put on a mask; it’s a different way of relating to self and others. 

So sitting down here at the computer, I am relating to this in a new way. Many have asked why I don’t blog about life here in the forest. Or show what we do and choices we’ve made. It never really stuck with me … why would that be interesting? However over the past few months I have begun to feel a desire to share a bit more. Realizing, I guess, that we are doing a lot of cool things here. 

My beautiful sister has been my communications woman for a month and she also got the inspiration stirring. So here we go. Attempt number 14 to find a way of creating a blog presence that feels creative and interesting to write. 

Spring here has been a tease for a few weeks. Are you coming? Nope not yet. Patience, people of the north. And there has been a weird energy in the people around me, and myself included, of wanting to get things rolling, and still not feeling fully capable to gain momentum. I’ve felt a long take off ramp is ready and yet my body hasn’t been willing to unfold in the pace that I’ve set things up for. 

Sorting seeds and checking in with the ones I harvested and fermented last year. 

But this weekend it was as if it finally clicked into place and we put on warm clothes and fled into the garden. We got the seeds out, trying to plan what we would like to grow this year. And more importantly, where. 

One of the biggest lessons has been - PLAN - and be realistic in our ambitions. I once was told that after 5 years of getting this self-sufficient lifestyle going, you will have made enough mistakes to begin a route to success. It feels like we may need a little more…

I have a good feeling about this year and our harvest adventure. 

This is what our first real spring garden looks like - mud and more mud. We got most of the early veg ready and have it in a warm(er) space and hopefully we will begin to see little green heads popping out of there soon. 

We’ve had success with onions, potatoes, zucchini, strawberries, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, peppers, garlic, rocket and beans. So this is where we are starting. Hoping to add some cabbages, squash, pumpkin and leeks this year. Cross your fingers. :)

Our idea is that guests at the *Forest Retreat House* can enjoy going out and fetching greens for their dinner. I will write about this space soon. It's an adventure for sure!!! 

Love
Carina

Bleeding sustainably...

Most women are beginning to notice the rise in women owning their blood. Some find it over the top, gross, something that should continue to be private and toned down. 

Others, me included, find the power in knowing how my cycle influences me throughout the month. And more so how my way of living influences my cycle. It is our feedback system if we dare to listen. It tells a lot. And whether you feel like claiming it publicly or not, I can only recommend beginning to explore your cycle. 

This is not only the bleeding time, but the full cycle from pre ovulation all the way around to the days you bleed. 

Tuning into emotions, mood, physical sensation, energy. In this post I share a little more on tracking your cycle. Take a read…

For this post I wanted to bring attention to the less-waste approaches I’ve made when it comes to my cycle. 

It is very simple actually, I stopped buying pads, tampons (only used those when I was a teen) and have invested in 6 fabric pads and a luna cup. That is all I use. 

It is easy. I have a little wet bag for used pads. Wash them with towels etc. No smell or a bloody mess… haha. 

But the thing that brings me true joy is what it saves me money wise and Earth wise. 

The Numbers

Meet Jaluna Red ;) . She’s 50 and just had her last period. She had her first when she was 12. She has 2 children and with both kids her cycle began again 10 months after giving birth. 

The past 2 years her cycle has been a little irregular.  So taking all of this into calculation, she has had around 408 bleeds in her life time. 

Jaluna used to bleed 5 days on average and used 4-5 pads or tampons a day. (You can do your own calculation. I have 3 girls so I will experience fewer.) 

Jaluna has used a whopping 8160 pads/tampons in those years!! That’s a lot going down the drain or in the trash! 

She used a common brand, non organic etc. 1 pad cost her around 20cents.* So in her life time she spends roughly 1600USD on pads/tampons alone.

It’s a lot really. 

My calculation
So let’s say I have to buy three cups in my bleeding years. Each cup lasts around 10years = 17USD per cup.

And then 3x 6 cloth pads (those who can make them themselves can save even more) = 25USD for a 6pack.

All together it has cost me roughly 126USD with the zero waste version. 

A lot of math, but worth doing! 

So there are a few motivation pointers to look at when it comes to choosing what you use. And more and more are coming up: underwear was recently launched for example, so you don’t need any of the options above, sponges and more. 

Glancing at these numbers it gives me the sense of the scale of our choices. 

Little me may not make a big difference… we think. But let’s say that I get 4 friends to join me. We’ve already saved the world from 32640 pads/tampons. Each of those 4 inspires 4 more etc. and all of the sudden we are making an impact. 

Numbers will vary no doubt. Cost will vary no doubt. But the amount of trash we generate continues to rise. Where it goes. What it means to our Earth will also be discussed, for me my consumption and consumer habits is in my power and worth looking at 1 million *little me* actions is no longer insignificant! 

I hope that this post will inspire you to do your research and what is out there, and maybe find a way to bring the number down of what we throw away or flush out into our water. 

With Love
Cx

For inspiration on zero waste action in your business check out this post... 

*I ran it through Google and these are prices on average in Europe. See links below. It will vary from country to country. But the amount of pads being thrown away is the same, regardless of the price. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AFMJMPQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B01AFMJMPQ&pd_rd_wg=pX95O&pd_rd_r=MQ44JXCKV8B8PQZHRFZ7&pd_rd_w=0Looe&th=1

https://menstrualcupreviews.net/go/MeLuna-Main

What are you hungry for? with Rachel Cole (Copy)

What are you hungry for?

This interview moved me. The reflection of what I am hungry for still ripples during my day. You are going to love Rachel and her work is so important.

Rachel Cole is a certified life coach, celebrated retreat leader, and women’s empowerment expert. She has spent ten years guiding women to identify, understand and feed their truest hungers – at and away from the table. As an eating disorder survivor herself, Rachel speaks with great wisdom, sensitivity, and authority about what it takes to live as a well-fed woman in the modern world.

She has traveled across the United States and internationally speaking and teaching to sold-out gatherings of women on how they too can find ease and fulfillment in their lives simply by honoring their own hungers. Rachel holds a Masters Degree in Holistic Health Education and is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Simple Pleasures vol. 1 (Copy)

Simple pleasures, but why not aim for the big mind-blowing out of this world experiences. I like simple. I find joy in the small(er) things, as they bring me to where I already am. What is right here. What can be enjoyed, seen and felt here. It's not hunting sensation or avoiding pain, it is waking up to the pleasure of life.

When I was at several anxiety attacks a day, keeping myself indoors, afraid of living because it felt too painful - one of the things that supported the transition into feeling alive again was opening up to the "little" things. A nice shower, a song I fell in love with, a kiss, a hug, a good laugh, the sun, silence, sounds.

Funny thing is, I haven't felt the need to move away from those things, they are what life is to me. Simple pleasures happen everyday, and they make me feel full, content. Big bursts of special occasions are cool, but not what I live for. They do not make my daily life rich.

So for inspiration I will be sharing a simple pleasures series on the blog, and welcome to vol. 1. Grab what resonates or use the direction to open up to the things in your life.

Here we go.

Moving to the tunes...

I have fallen in love with a young woman from Tennessee. Valerie Junemakes me wanna move, fills my body with ease, touches something deep inside. Music has always done crazy things to me, and I love to dance. This week this song has done the trick. Enjoy.

For fun...

David Lynch Weekend

A lonesome evening, when the kids were finally asleep and I found myself bored - I ran through Instagram and found the funniest # ever. I laughed till I cried which can be weird when you are on your own.

It is #whymysoniscrying

Now the funny thing is not the photos of crying children.

What makes it so funny are the reasons they are crying. The situations where you as a parent feel you have dropped into the closing scene of a David Lynch movie - What, why, where, I don't get it (still have no clue what Lost Highway was about).

Like when you give your kids the snack they specifically asked for, but placed the plate an inch in the wrong direction and it is mayhem for about 15 mins. Or you walked into a room, not knowing it was going to ruin their day. Or you breath too close to them etc. It is funny because, thankfully you realize you are not alone, and that the frustration seems to be universal.

If you need a laugh check out that hashtag on instagram.

For stillness...

Sitting outside...

...closing your eyes and feeling the air and wind against your face. Sensing the crispness of winter. We don't have to make it formal and call it mediation, or set ourselves up to all sorts of things. Just that moment when you allow yourself a moment of stillness, to just be. Letting your body sink a little deeper to where you are. Knowing that space has nothing to do with time. It can be for one in breath or 100. How does it feel.

Stillness simpel pleasures

Episode #20 with Kendra Kentor (Copy)

Kendrakentor

Listen in here

Kendra Kantor is a  Wellness Mentor and Guide for creative women who are looking to embrace their self discovery and improve their mental health wellness. She helps women take action toward becoming the person they want to be and living a life they have created to enjoy. Kendra wants to live in a world where mental and emotional wellness and self care is a top priority. And her big life goal is to travel in an RV full time with her husband and son.

She guests us for a chat about wellness in motherhood and how this can be a challenge. Kendra shares her vulnerable story - something many women can relate to but maybe don't talk about.

You can also find her here: 

Facebook

Website

Blog

Mama Bliss with Kathy Stowell (Copy)

kathystowell

LISTEN IN - CLICK HERE

Meet Kathy. For years here she been helping mamas simplify their family life and now Kathy also helps with simplifying their business.

Kathy stopped by for a chat about her coaching school, her passion for supporting moms, and her popular blog and why she does it all.

These days she especially loves teaching mamas how to share their experiences on their blog then serve others by turning these passions into a side, or full-time, work at home gig.

She runs the Mama Bliss coaching School, training mamas to become coaches and become self-employed. She is a wonder with her words and her workbooks alone can transform your biz. I did here training, and I really really liked it.

Check her out, the lovely Kathy

http://www.blissbeyondnaptime.com/mama-bliss-coaching-school/

Facebook - BlissBeyondNaptime

We have gone crazy (Copy)

Mouse

My clients always tell me how frustrating it is that their thoughts are ruining their attempt to meditate. Thoughts make so much noise that it blocks the inner peace they set out to feel.

I'll get back to that...

Well, us city people are feeling the sweetness of country living in a, well lets put it lightly, challenging way… We have mice EVERYWHERE.

The first day, we tore the house apart stuffing holes, cleaning, pulling our hair and finally collapsing in the middle of chaos trying to find energy for the clean-up…

Really happy and satisfied with round 1 of the war against mice - we went to bed. We woke up and there was MORE mouse droppings all over the house - say what? How did this happen.

We discussed the same procedure as yesterday neither of us had the energy. We discussed moving - seemed like less of a deal then the clean up. And setting the house on fire was up for a while too.

The kids looked scared, so we went with cleaning. And the past week has continued in this fun little dance. My partner wakes up looking manic and angry. I have gone into everything is so weird it’s funny, which is calming no one.

Last night the little pain was back again. The kids are finally (jinxed?) sleeping through the night, but last night our ol' pal Mr. mouse sounded like he was rearranging walls... So there I was banging on things at 3am in the morning. Couldn't find my glasses, so with a lack of visual I was making random noises with no clear plan and talking in tongue to myself.

It dawned on me in all the madness, as we were working ourselves up to crazy, it is the same way with thoughts.

We fight them like mouse-busting. The more they stay, increase and drop(ping) in our mind, the more frustrated and desperate we get. So I get that the mouse has to stay out of the kitchen, but I don’t want them gone off the face of the earth. I feel they are gross in my food, but cute when I see them jumping around outside.

As with thoughts they have the right to be here, they have a function and aren’t the enemy. They do however have a place, and nor the whole picture or defining factor about how you feel about your "house".

So how do you relate to your thoughts? Do they overwhelm you? Do you feel you have to run with or after every thought that floats by?

I believe that there is such freedom in allowing our thoughts to come and go, and not feeling that we need to tend and kill every single one.

Episode #18 with Adedayo Fashanu (Copy)

The art of being alive

 LISTEN IN HERE

Adedayo Fashanu is a millennial who refuses to play small and is ready to be a game changer in her generation. A writer, mental health and wellness advocate. She lives on the one philosophy that we are all designed to live a thriving life regardless of our backgrounds, resources available, locations or anything we might feel as an existing barrier to rising above our status Quo.

She is a Nigerian born twenty-three year old who is a goal-getter, a dreamer and a visionary. She began college at the age of fifteen and was recorded to be the youngest attended student and graduate with her associates at seventeen and her bachelors in psychology at nineteen, currently in her masters to be a psychotherapist.  She is also a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition NYC where she studied holistic health and nutrition.

An emerging social entrepreneur; her self-started company LifestyleWellbeing Co. LLC is a growing new business which she aims to use it a platform to promote mental health and holistic wellness.

Her latest undertaking is a coffee-table book she is creating titled “The Art of Being Alive.” The book project is a collection of stories from people all over the world that explores what it means to come alive and to live fully. She believes that by sharing people’s come alive stories in this book, the reader will be pumped up to go live out fully alive because the art of being alive is on the other side of fear.

Social Media Links:

www.facebook.com/lifestylewellbeing

www.facebook.com/feelalivemovement

www.facebook.com/AdedayoFashanu

instagram @AdedayoFashanu

3 ways you can be a part of the evolving of the project: 

1.Be in the book or a part of the movement by using this form to submit your inspiring story: http://www.formget.com/app/form/share/WFbK-93375 (every submission will be used either in the book if submitted early or in the social media feed to promote the movement)

2.Watch the youtube trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w3XvuKACOc&authuser=0

3.Like us on facebook to support the project : www.facebook.com/feelalivemovement

Watch out for our possibly indiegogo campaign to push this project to the next level…

Episode #17 with Patricia Mauerhofer (Copy)

Mind Body and Business with Patricia Mauerhofer

Today's guest is a wise woman who guests us to share your passion and knowledge mind body and business.

Mind-Body Success Mentor, Patricia Mauerhofer empowers women in business to making money and making a difference without harming their own health or sacrificing close relationships.

A certified project manager and professional coach, she is living her purpose and empowering others to find theirs. As a practicing Buddhist, she is mindful to talk her walk. Part of her mission is to spill over the happiness and joy she found within during many years of a debilitating disease and after healing herself in 2011 from this 'incurable' condition.

Patricia is guiding, coaching and teaching women who want to step into their power and live their best life in English, German, Swiss German and French.

Patricia's Website: http://patriciamauerhofer.com/

Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciamauerhofer.mindbodysuccess

Life status: It’s complicated… (Copy)

Simple living

I know complicated! Yet I have never dealt with it well. Every time someone says “It’s complicated” I feel heaviness in my body - no thank you, never mind.

I am in many ways simple minded. I loose the storyline in sci-fi movies. I feel confused 3 lines in... “In a galaxy far far away, xanax-3000 was moving himself through time using a vibrator on fire. Humans on planet shiatsu were threatened as they had started becoming so full of themselves” Huh… ?? After 30 minutes of my boyfriend trying to explain it,  we both accept that I will catch 1/3 of the story and enjoy falling asleep to it instead.

I could never concentrate for more than 5 minutes reading anything scientific.

The harder the better. The more the merrier... not so much for me.

I feel that secretly, we glorify busy - doing more. Not out loud, no no we hate busy - but someone who say “Oh this week, yeah I went for a few walks and read a book”, it doesn’t really stir up a lot. Someone who has 2 jobs, runs the family neatly, looks great, works out, flew across the world in a day, volunteers for 3 charities, and does her husband 6 times a week, is awesome.

I am not devaluing any of it, but I do feel we in some ways as a society we have put complicated on a pedestal. The more complicated, the more value. The more praise and awe. But is there a shift happening here?

The most complicated for me was when worry became anxiety and darkness took over. Trying to manage the future, my thoughts, my identity crisis, people’s misunderstanding and disappointment, work, money, wanting more (of everything), the city, stress, relationship, body, health, exercise, getting better, faking it and making it, family, meditation, business, my own demands…. argh someone hit the stop button. So many choices, that it almost numbs me.

I have done complicated.

This year we chose to move from the city to the house I have talked about a few times. We wanted more simplicity in our life. We wanted to reduce the costs of living. We wanted to work less. We wanted our kids to see us more. We wanted to filter out some of the constant noise and stimulation of the city. All the doing was robbing me from what I was actually working so hard to have - happiness.

I am not perfect. It is a transition and complicated still get’s to me. I do however feel a HUGE shift in energy and ease when I choose simple. When I let it all drop and look at what makes my life rich - it’ s not more stuff or moneto.

Simple isn't for everyone. We need the people who can do the science and work out complicated stuff. I too like to dream and admire the academics who I have no clue what are saying half of the time.

But HOW MUCH of it ALL do we ALL need, ALL of the time?

Simple to me is freedom.

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My 1:1 Intensive is a one to one 90 minute session for hardworking women who want to simplify their daily lives.

Working alongside me, in those 90 minutes we will look at what hasn't worked in the past, work towards sustainable ways to simplify, and most important look at the patterns that are no longer serving you.

At the moment, adding more into an already demanding schedule probably isn’t working for you; when can you really fit this in?

Let me show you how.

Read more...

When the stress releaser, becomes the stress increaser (Copy)

women and stress

I can’t begin to count how many times I have heard “I should meditate at least 20 minutes a day” or “ I have to do yoga in the morning or it won’t work” or “ I just failed at it this week”.

We embark on these journeys with great intentions, we know it feels good when we slow down and tune in, or we hope it will - the article said so.

Then we roll up our sleeves and get to it the practice. The first week was great. You felt the benefits, it was nice to take the time for yourself, your family were good with it (maybe to your surprise). 

Then week two, "shit, the meeting was moved" and you didn’t keep the momentum going that day, your kid got sick and you feel asleep on the only night that you really could have worked some practice in. 

Oh no, now a little stress sets in, now it won’t work, you failed and it was just too hard to fit in. You feel that you should be doing and that the commitment you made just is more stress, then actually benefits of meditating, doing yoga, going for walks in nature etc. This was not the point AT ALL.

Do you recognize the essence of this? 

First thing: you can't be meditate wrong!

Second, there are a few things in play here; life, impatience, maybe the stretch from 0 to 45 minutes of meditation every day was too big. Shoulding which almost never motivated pleasurable and simple action.

I really want to help you create a sustainable practice, to expand presence in your life, without creating more stress in the process.

Join me for this free tele class

Mindful Woman

I will share 3 tips to support you to begin and create a sustainable meditation practice in your life, without increasing stress in your life. If you can't join live, no worries, a recording will be sent within 24 hours, to everyone who signs up.

You can do this. You aren’t doing it wrong. We will look at how to simplify to create a sustainable path for you.

Sign up here

Email Address

First Name

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Episode #15 with Ellen Nightingale (Copy)

ellennightin

Ellen and I share a favorite quote. I knew as soon as I saw here website that I had to interview this woman.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” 

~Maya Angelou

She works with moms to support communication skills and attachment skills. She works with moms who have children with special needs, and focuses on helping her clients find their voices and tell their stories.

Ellen Nightingale is a speech-language pathologist, coach, and writer. She currently leads workshops and retreats for moms to help them find their voices and tell their stories.

She stopped by to talk about speaking our truth, the importance of story and motherhood.

Check her out here:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

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Join me for this free tele class

Mindful Woman

I will share 3 tips to support you to begin and create a sustainable meditation practice in your life, without increasing stress in your life. If you can't join live, no worries, a recording will be sent within 24 hours, to everyone who signs up.

You can do this. You aren’t doing it wrong. We will look at how to simplify to create a sustainable path for you.

Sign up here

Email Address

First Name