Showing posts with label Wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wellness. Show all posts

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Start Feeling Better Now

 

 

September 30, 2023

Regenerate Your World 

Build the future you want to live in.


I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis.

Let's Get Empowered!

R.A.I.N.

My everyday mantra
 

Dear Empowered Reader,


A few weeks ago I was preparing for a presentation and that familiar wave of anxiety started to creep in. Those nagging voices – "Is this enough," the "should'ves," and "would'ves" were hard to tune out. Time was ticking, and doubt was playing its part too, drowning out my inner strength. Just when I thought there was nothing I could do, something interesting happened. Raindrops started pattering against my window. 


The soothing sound of rain invited me to pause and listen to a quieter inner voice saying, "Slow down, take it easy, be present." And then, I remembered a different kind of "RAIN" – a practice crafted by mindfulness teacher Michele McDonald over two decades ago. It's designed to help us face life's challenges and emotions in a more constructive way.


McDonald coined the acronym R.A.I.N., which stands for "Recognition" of what's happening, "Acceptance" of the experience, "Interest" in understanding it, and "Non-Identification" to detach from it. Tara Brach, another mindfulness expert, has added her touch by changing the "N" to include "Nurture," emphasizing compassion in the process.


Here's a detailed breakdown of the mindful R.A.I.N. practice I used that rainy day. It helped me tackle my tough thoughts and emotions and showed me a more authentic and resourceful way to deal with them. 


Note that you can use this R.A.I.N. practice during formal meditation or whenever you're faced with intense emotions or overwhelming thoughts.


R.A.I.N.: A Mindfulness Practice for Navigating Life’s Challenges


Whether you're practicing R.A.I.N. formally or informally, start by easing into your body. Feel your feet on the ground, connect with the earth, and let go of tension. Take a few deep breaths and tune into your body's natural rhythm.


R – Recognize: 


Acknowledge what's happening without judgment. Shine a light on your suffering instead of pushing it away or reacting impulsively. Simply note what's on your mind. Example: "I'm feeling anxious right now."


A – Accept or Allow: 


Let the emotion and experience be as they are. Allowing isn't passivity but a brave willingness to embrace what's there. Pause amid strong emotions and create room for care.

Example: "It's okay to feel this way."


I – Investigate: 


Explore how the emotion manifests in your body, mind, and heart. Without overthinking, observe how emotions change and flow. Emotions often carry wisdom. Example: "Where do I feel this anxiety in my body?"


N – Nurture and Non-Identification: 


Start the process of letting go. By holding emotions in mindful awareness, you realize you aren't defined by them. Humility helps us acknowledge our vulnerability and resilience. Example: Offer yourself kindness, like comforting words or placing a hand on your heart. Then, extend that compassion to others.


After R.A.I.N., take a moment to appreciate your presence and rest in the space of awareness. You can journal your experience or share it with a trusted friend. When dealing with challenging emotions, remember, you're not alone. Seek support from friends, family, or professionals. We all need each other for guidance and growth.


So, next time life's challenges pour down like rain, try a little R.A.I.N. You might find it helps you weather the storm a bit more gracefully.


How can you apply the R.A.I.N. mindfulness practice in your own life? Reflect on specific situations where recognizing, accepting, investigating, nurturing, and non-identifying your emotions could make a positive difference in how you respond to challenges.

What are some common triggers for your challenging emotions, and how might you use the R.A.I.N. practice to navigate them effectively? Take a moment to identify recurring situations or thoughts that often lead to strong emotions. Consider how practicing R.A.I.N. could help you handle these triggers in a more mindful way.

Have you reached out for support during challenging times, or do you tend to handle things on your own? Reflect on your own support network and how comfortable you are seeking help when facing difficult emotions or situations. Are there steps you can take to lean on others for support and guidance?

Additional resources:

In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10) I would like to revisit a conversation I had on the You Need a Counselor Podcast. To listen to the episode click HERE.


Take care, dear reader,

Julie

 
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To Persist

Author Unknown


one teaspoon
at a time,
the rain turns
mountains
into valleys

 
 

In the Media

Where can you find EMPOWER Possible?

Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs. 

I was recently on, Not Just A Daydream with Kristi WinfreeIn this episode we covered a lot of topics including:
* Recognizing and honoring the multidimensional aspects of your identity outside your job.
* Seeing the impact of living in alignment with your core values.
* Harnessing your personal power to shape the path to your future.
To listen click here.


Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being.

https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/ 

Upcoming Events

  

1) October: Better Together Series. Integrative Health and Well-being for Practitioners Series hosted in partnership with the University of Minnesota.


2) October 10, 6-7 pm CST, Turn the Tide: How to Thrive as a Business Owner,

 Discover how to establish work-life harmony, set boundaries, and implement self-care practices that enhance your overall health and fulfillment. Get ready to turn the tide in your entrepreneurial journey. Learn and practice the tools you need to maximize your potential, thrive amidst challenges, and create a sustainable, successful business that aligns with your values and aspirations.

Free Webinar

To register go to https://www.successfulbusiness.org/event/501430034/turn-the-tide-how-to-thrive-as-a-business-owner 


3) October Coffee Chat: Freedom From the Clock

 

4) Winter 2024 New Course, Career Crossroads Launch Stay Tuned for Details!


Sunday, May 7, 2023

When Life Gives You Lemons

 

 

May 7, 2023

Regenerate Your World

Build the future you want to live in.


I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as half-full, instead of half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis.

Let's Get Empowered!

Change Your Systems

Team Alicia Celebration Dinner
 

Hello, Regenerate Your World Readers!


I would like to welcome Andrea Patrick to the EMPOWER Possible community!

Below are her thoughts on how to make lemonade out of lemons.


When life gives you lemons, it’s important to know what you need to make lemonade. I recently experienced a difficult and challenging time with my family and understand the importance of this first hand. I was faced with my past, and had to confront the baggage THAT PAST produced. Thankfully I was up for the task. I was able to navigate those trying days without the emotional, psychological and physical reactions that would have made my experience unbearable.


I know my circumstances are not unusual, but my reaction, and how I got there, is. Hello, my name is Andrea Patrick and I consider myself the B-U boss… Whether you’re an entrepreneur, professional, or a stay at home parent, the ability to be unapologetically you is what makes it easy to live a life you love. As a Personal Branding coach & Marketing Strategist, I coach my clients to unlock their past, analyze their present and create a strategy for achieving goals and securing a life they love living.


My methods may be considered unorthodox, but because I’ve lived every second of them, I know they work. Before reading any further, take a moment to document your current thoughts about self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-preservation. Your mindset helps you manage your emotions, motivations, and perspectives better. Becoming the CEO of you means adopting positive mindsets that help you do and be your best in every situation you may find yourself in. My goal with this article is to give you the tools you’ll need to make the appropriate adjustments to your mindset, and that it be a catalyst for positive life changes.


Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”. It doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes, quite the contrary, we all make mistakes. The difference with those who are more self-aware is that they look for, and learn from, the lessons those mistakes illuminate.


Self-Awareness

My research for this content led me to an article by Tchiki Davis, Ph.D, where she mentioned a lesson she’d learned writing her book, Outsmart Your Smartphone: Conscious Tech Habits for Finding Happiness, Balance, and Connection IRL. She found that our lives can get out-of-control pretty fast if we don’t know how and under what circumstances our emotional nature is triggered. I believe knowing what triggers you, what motivates & inspires you, and what your non-negotiables are opens you up to the WHAT’s, WHERE’s, WHY’s and HOW’s of living your best life. Clarity comes from knowing what motivates you, knowing where your sensitivities lie, knowing why you do what you do, and knowing how you apply what you know about yourself to achieve your idea of happiness.


Most of us are running on auto-pilot, we take things as they come, and react to what happens to us. Our minds are so busy with our daily routine we don’t even think about what we NEED until a situation jolts us out of our fog.. Instead of getting defensive, making excuses, or blaming another person, becoming more self-aware helps us understand our successes and failures better. Answering the The WHAT’s, WHERE’s, WHY’s, and HOW’s should be an exercise in honesty if you want to develop a solid and sustainable foundation for the dream life you want. This honesty becomes the beginning of the confidence we often feel we lack.



Self - Confidence

Confidence comes from being in an environment that fosters positivity and can be considered a learned behavior. The KEY to confidence is CERTAINTY. The key to certainty is self awareness, and the key to self-awareness is understanding how to manage change, knowing what’s really important, minimizing your choices & optimizing your options, and putting structure around the chaos that will inevitably come your way. As I see it, the relationship between confidence and certainty makes SELF-confidence, and feelings of self-worth, easier to obtain.


CONFIDENCE: is a state of being clear-headed that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Self-awareness gives us this clarity.


CERTAINTY: are the beliefs which a person has no rational grounds for doubting.


Answering the The WHAT’s, WHERE’s, WHY’s, and HOW’s is how you get there.


In my opinion, confidence is about taking outward actions while certainty is about internal trust.


Your level of certainty drastically affects your ability to be confident. An article, found in Psychology Today defines confidence as ..."How strongly you believe in your capabilities to learn new skills, perform at a certain level, attain a goal, or achieve your own definition of success." Achieving confidence is much more difficult when we try to do so echoing the actions of others. It’s important to construct a personal framework and use that framework to translate what we see others doing into a language that reflects our authenticity. This can be a daunting task, but when you have the right team, you’ll be successful more times than not.. Self preservation happens by choosing the lens through which you see yourself and the world around you. The people you surround yourself with help you keep that lens clean and clear.



Self - Preservation

Self-awareness and self-confidence are the building blocks to self-preservation. When you know yourself and what you need to do and be your best, you can teach others how to treat you and manage expectations, yours and others. In recent videos on my YouTube channel, I described the importance of setting boundaries, using your CEO Mindset to lead and how valuable it is to have the right team members in your circle of influence. These videos emphasize the need to become the CEO of you. Finding your voice and communicating your needs save you from the stress, frustrations, and overwhelm associated with just about everything in life. Preserving your ability to walk through life authentically isn’t a gift given, it’s an intention accomplished.

I have coached many individuals and seen my fair share of them struggling with imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs, and negative self-talk. With the help of my proven system, many have gone on to save thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenses and energy while others have made millions by utilizing their personal framework to guide their decisions..


A CEO mindset makes evaluating, increasing confidence and sharing your value much more organic. How much easier would your life be if you were confident enough to be UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOU?!


If you’re ready to have similar outcomes, join my email list to learn more about my challenge, The Search 4 Success. I’ll help you find your authentic blueprint and start creating success strategies that help you live the life of your dreams.


A special thanks to our guest writer Andrea Patrick for sharing her wisdom.


 
 
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If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!


By BerthdduSuit Jul 2008


You can take what life throws at you,
And let it turn you sour,
Or hold on tight and enjoy the ride,
Make the most of every hour.

You can always play the victim,
Feeling sorry for yourself,
Or learn from these experiences,
Put the trophies on a shelf.

What happens to us makes us who we are,
Experiences good or bad,
If you let bad times drag you down,
They slowly drive you mad.

Seize all of life's opportunities,
Make the most of your lot,
To you it may seem pitiful,
To others it's all they've got.

 

In the Media

Where can you find EMPOWER Possible?

Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.

Most recently I was a guest on The CEO Mindset.

Check out the episode linked HERE to learn more about reaching your goals.

Upcoming Events

1) Join me at The RINK Pitch Competition!


The RINK Pitch Competition is a catalyst that connects our start-up funders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and creative talent to help them showcase ideas and bring their ideas from paper and their garage tinkering into reality and real businesses! Innovate 218 is the Arrowhead region's Launch Minnesota hub, a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation!

Date: May 9th

Where: Rustic Pig Chisholm, MN

Time:

5:00-5:55 PM -Social and Appetizers
6:00-7:00 PM - Presentation of (5 pitches- 5 minutes to pitch, 5 min for judges to poke holes & ask questions)
7:00-7:30 PM - Judges deliberate and more socializing for crowd
7:30-8:00 PM - Awards & judge feedback (Crowd pleaser vote)
8:00-9:00 PM - Mingle and Network
Join our Live Studio Audience: https://bit.ly/LSAtherinkmay2023


2) May 27th, LeanIn MSP 10 Year Celebration, 9am-10:30am CST, Ridgedale MN Library

Have you wanted to envision your life in 10 years, but never found the time to do it? Join the Lean In Together community on Saturday, May 27th and we will make your wish come true. #community #leanin To Register email info@empowerpossible.com


3) June 6th, Women and Leadership Symposium, Madison Wisconsin

Myths of Happiness, for more information email info@empowerpossible.com


4) August, Building Our Strengths Online Course

The interactive workshop will begin by identifying your strengths and offer the opportunity to discuss and reflect on your strengths. By the end of the workshop, you will have a clearer understanding of your personal strengths and how you utilize them in your work and personal life.

To register go to Building Our Strengths


5) September, New Course Launch Stay Tuned for Details!


Join me!

Connect with me on social media!

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Copyright © EMPOWER Possible

4912 Idlewild St., Duluth, United States, 55804


EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.


info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission


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Monday, January 2, 2023

Transformation and new beginnings

 

 

January 2, 2023

Regenerate Your World 

Build the future you want to live in.


I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as half-full, instead of half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis.

Let's Get Empowered!

Greetings! Happy New Year to You! Below is a guest post from Magdalena Jensen.

Magdalena Jensen - is a certified transformational coach, NVC conflict mediator, Women’s Circle facilitator and ceremony/sacred space holder. She previously launched two commercial companies and co-founded a pan-European NGO in the music industry. Magdalena now coaches unique, ambitious individuals - leaders who believe that change starts with themselves - towards their dreams and desires, opening up new possibilities and perspectives. 

I met Magdalena after she replied to a post about my transitions project. Magdalena was kind enough to chat with me about her life transitions. During our conversation, a lot of what she said resonated with me. We ended the conversation by brainstorming ways we could keep in touch and collaborate. One of the ways was for her to write a guest post for the newsletter. I hope you enjoy Magdalena's post.  Also, new to the newsletter this week is a freebie section. I created new digital downloads and would like to share them with you!

Take care this week and always. Thank you for your readership!

Together we can regenerate our world,

Julie

Below is where you can find more information about Magdalena.

Website: https://www.magdalenajensen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magdalenajensen_coach/

Magdalena Jensen

Hello dear readers, 

 

Allow me to introduce myself, today’s guest collaborator in Julie’s inspiring newsletter: I am Magdalena Jensen, a transformational coach, conflict mediator and sacred space holder and I have really been feeling like 2022 was one of the weirdest years of my life. 

 

It was meant to be a breakthrough year - outta the pandemic (finally!) and into a new… something. Yet, 2022 was like that never-ending hangover that has you questioning your very existence, your purpose and why you do the things you do… and why everything around us is the way it is. 

 

Perhaps you feel something similar? Like this past year was some lengthy existential crisis that has you questioning every facet of your reality? 

 

Firstly: know that you are not alone. Many of us have been feeling like we’re in an extended void space, a lengthy liminal pause before “normal” sets back in. 

 

Secondly: know that there is no going back and there’s no one coming to rescue you from this murky discomfort. You are your own savior, you create your own future. 

 

[Bear with me - this is not meant to be a bleak message, but one grounded in a reality that many of us are facing as we wind down 2022 and face 2023 head-on. This is a message to myself as much as to any of you lovely souls reading this!] 

 

I actually find this idea - that I am a herald and create my own future - to be both liberating and empowering AND quite daunting. 

 

Daunting because there is endless possibility for what we may create. We are all creatures of the divine and we have the ability to do and be anything our heart desires. 

 

Liberating and empowering for those same reasons… 

 

So, how to actually hone in on what we desire? How to shift out of this liminal space and launch ourselves forward into 2023? There is no ONE way, but I would like to offer you a few bits that can support you on this journey… 

 

  1. 1. Remember that all creation comes from darkness.  

 

Seeds germinate in the darkness of the earth. Babies grow in the darkness of the womb. Fresh blades of grass always push through the ashes of destruction…  

 

When something new is coming through us (and, trust me - something new absolutely is coming through society as a whole right now), we absolutely need to allow that which no longer serves to die off, we need to allow these moments of sacred pause while new life germinates and we need to lean into this inevitable life cycle with grace (or risk feeling frustrated for as long as the germination period takes… and isn’t it “better” to focus on feeding the fertile ground rather than frustrating and disrupting the soil?). 

 

  1. 2. Use this time of sacred pause to feed the fertile ground. 

 

There’s always a calm before the storm and we can either fight it or feed it. Personally, I have spent a few futile days fighting this calm period and, literally, all I feel is frustrated and I keep fighting with my husband about nothing at all. 

 

Finally, now that I am nearly a week into this sacred pause, I am realizing that there are far better ways for me to spend my time… I am forgiving myself for being frustrated and, instead, turning my focus to feeding the fertile soil. 

 

What does this look like? Exercise, nervous system regulation and rest (plus planning a plant medicine journey to open the new year). Taking care of our physical vessels is a really great way to remain grounded and centered through the discomfort of change. Regulating and toning our nervous systems is crucial to growth - we need to feel safe at every new level of expansion. 

 

  1. 3. Trust that you don’t need to know the whole vision - just focus on the next step. 

 

It can be overwhelming to try to formulate a vision for the future when so many things are shifting in and around us. Release the need to know what is next. Support yourself to feel comfortable in the discomfort. Allow yourself to surrender to what is and will be. Trust that all is unfolding for your highest good. 

 

All you need to do, in this “meantime” moment, is be present. Use whatever favored tools you have to stay grounded, centered and in your body. Take advantage of the quiet to relax into simply BEing (BTW, this is not easy for me at all… I love DOing and often feel uncomfortable simply BEing). Trust that you will know exactly what you need to know when you know it… and see what unfolds. 

 

  1. 4. Tune into your dreams to glean information. 

 

After the turmoil of the past few years, many people are finding it difficult to envision their future, project themselves into their imagination and dream. This is completely understandable, for when we are in stress mode all the time, our pineal gland is not able to activate and create our future visions and dreams.  

 

That’s why it can be so important to both regulate your nervous system, and to relax your body into a hypnotic state and be guided to access your subconscious vision for a beautiful future. I invite you to check out this 10-minute guided meditation that will support you to glean information from your own subconscious. 

 

 

As without, so within. 

 

It is inevitable that we resonate with this moment of liminal space, of confusion, of sacred pause… the whole world is shifting and changing all around us and we need to take a collective breath to gather ourselves before we launch into that expansion. 

 

I encourage you to release any guilt you feel about not vibing with the “new year, new me” New Year’s resolutions hype. I encourage you to give yourself permission to simply BE and feel into the incoming inevitability of change. Remember to take it step by step and surrender to what unfolds. And allow yourself to daydream, to dream dream πŸ˜‡, to sit with yourself in meditation and be with your vision of your future. 

 

Change is already in motion. It is inevitable. Lean into whatever is shifting in your life and watch it mirrored in the collective. 

 

Lastly, for the astrology lovers out there: Mercury just went retrograde and will remain so until the 18th of January, Mars is retrograde until the 12th of January and these transits are preparing us for the Lunar New Year on 22 January - this can be considered the real start to a new cycle… This lethargy, lull and liminal moment will pass on a collective level and we will all start to feel a natural progression towards our desires and intentions we are now planting. 

 

Sending you lots of love on your journey, wherever you are.  

Love, 

Magdalena 

 

PS: Feel free to reach out on Instagram and chat - I would love to hear what seeds you are planting and how this germination moment feels for you 😘 

 

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A New Fresh Start

https://hellopoetry.com/tag/freshstart/

Everybody has hopes & dreams
Dreams that still do exist
Dreams that are going to be accomplished
Everybody has hopes & dreams
Those dreams feel far but they are closer than you expected..
You know that feeling deep down inside that you can’t explain but it brings a form of good energy...
It’s your hopes & dreams starting to form.
Get ready for the new growth
The new opportunities
The several eye openers
Everything is starting to feel fresh.
Free_ minded_lee🀍
#freshstart #growth #dreams 


New EMPOWER Possible Free Resources

Have you heard of information overload? Yes, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. There are so many options when it comes to online learning it can be hard to know where to start. We can get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing.

Click the link below for a few tips that help me move from doing nothing and overcoming information overload by moving into action.

How to get started with online learning

Take a few minutes to relax and envision an empowered future. The act of visualization helps you to practice and imagine the future you would like to have. It directs your mind to focus on your goals for the future. Click the link below to get started.

Empowerment visualization

Upcoming Events

What: MasterClass Group

Where: Virtual Meeting

When: Saturday February 11th, 9am-10am 

Why: Maximize learning integration in a community of lifelong learners who also support gender equity. 

Cost: Free!

Click here to register

What: THRIVE: Overcome Burnout Duluth, MN Community Education Class Registration opens January 2023 

When: February 2023

Why: Participants will learn the signs of burnout and how to overcome and prevent burnout.

Cost: $29.00

What: University of Wisconsin-Superior Coffee Break Course: EMPOWER YOUR NEW YEAR

Where: Virtual

When: Register to view anytime throughout December 2022

Why: The New Year is often a time for new goals and a fresh start. However, most of us abandon these goals in a few weeks. This session will help participants empower their new year and set a vision for the year to overcome barriers to reaching their goals. 

Cost: Free!

Click here to register

Connect with me on social media!

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info@empowerpossible.com 


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    April 29, 2024 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but...