Happy New Year! As you begin 2019, do so with a strong dose of self-compassion. After all, there is science that says it's worth it... http://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/the-scientific-benefits-of-self-compassion-infographic/
I came across this simple and powerful activity that was posted last year by Smile FM and I was struck by the positive spirit it conveys. While our struggles and pains are real and valid, I believe we can all find one thing each week to be grateful for. This can be as small as feeling the warmth of the sun on your face or as large as winning the jackpot in the lottery. I love this idea and I encourage all of us to put…
We can so easily get caught up in the emotional frenzy during the holidays - sometimes as we swirl along in it and sometimes as we look from afar and wish we were able to participate. At times like these, I find it helpful to focus on small things that I know to be true and this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson captures what the holiday season (and all of life) is really about for me.
As the Easter holidays have just passed, it's a good time to contemplate the role of faith in our lives. Although the specifics of faith can take many forms, having a belief system is a strong source of hope when we are struggling. Just as we benefit from surrounding ourselves with supportive people, we also benefit from faith that there is a bigger picture even if we don't know what it is right now. Having such faith provides much needed motivation to get through the dark…
I love this simple truth... May we all honour the story that has borne us to today and the new chapters about to unfold.
I know that the holidays can be both joyous and yet also stressful, regardless of your health status. For those of you readers who have diabetes, I offer you a lighthearted link today to hopefully bring a smile to your day. Type 1 Diabetes Memes The wonderful folks at Type 1 Diabetes Memes have a tumblr blog as well as a Facebook feed with posts that frequently make me laugh out loud. It's nice to poke a little fun at the condition that can sometimes feel…
In today's Live and Learn video, I guide you through a visualization of a peaceful place. This may be any place that evokes comfort and calm for you. It might be a real place you have been or it might be a place you have only imagined. This calming meditation may be helpful to draw upon if you find yourself caught up in the bustle of the holiday season. The busyness of December can be both joyful and stressful and I encourage you to make time for moments…
In keeping with the August theme of vacation and relaxation, my recommended reading for this month is to take time for something light and non-work, non-health related. Pick something easy that is already on your bookshelf and you have been "meaning to" get to for awhile! This is an opportunity to take a break from the heavier tomes of the rest of the year and allow yourself to enjoy the ones you keep putting off because you have "more important" things to read. Taking time to read something purely…
While the holidays often carry a strong emotional charge, either good or bad, most of us find ourselves back to our routines in January. This can come with it's own set of trials whether we are dealing with health concerns or not. The holidays may be fraught with challenges as we strive to balance energy with social obligations that come through December. We may feel emotionally taxed as the variability in day-to-day life overwhelms functioning that is already difficult because of health concerns. It can…