"Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what's left of you." - Katie Reed
Focusing on Balanced Beginnings
Self-care is so much more than mere indulgence; it's the art of nurturing our own physical, mental, and emotional health so that we can flourish daily from a place of inner strength and abundance.
While there are many opportunities to practice self-care throughout the day, this month, we're focusing on #BalancedBeginnings. We put ourselves first and fill our cups to the brim so that we can be ready to share with others without running dry.
You run the risk of running dry when:
- You consistently prioritize others' needs over your own, neglecting your well-being or,
- Traumatic circumstances and events become all-consuming, draining your emotional and mental resources.
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is not selfish. It's necessarily important! When we put our well-being first, we are stronger and more energetic. This translates as being UNSTOPPABLE with the dawn of each day.
There are three important reasons why you should make self-care a top priority:
- You Deserve It: The feeling you experience when practicing self-care is immediately transformative. Whether you jog, walk, journal, or meditate, you'll notice a natural glow within, reflecting the love and attention you've given yourself. Others notice it, too! You feel better, and it shows.
- Your Children are Watching: Liz Carlile (featured in the Stepping Stones newsletter this month-scroll to the end of this blog to subscribe) shares how, in a moment of overwhelm, she remembered and built on the wisdom her mother imparted to her as a child about self-care.
- You are Designed to be Fruitful and Multiply: Just as a tree cannot bear fruit without nourishment, you cannot produce and grow if you are emotionally, mentally, or physically drained. Self-care is tapping into your wellspring of energy from which you can draw to grow, create, and distribute.
Join Our Wellness Journey
Now, I'm super excited to share #BalancedBeginnings', this month's initiative- in collaboration with Kendall's Bodi Coaching, Empowered Designs, and One Degree To Victory. From mindful meditation practices to nourishing breakfast ideas and physical movement, we will explore various strategies to kickstart your day positively and commit to a more balanced and mindful life.
What You'll Learn:
- Cultivating Mindful Mornings: Discover how to transform your mornings into a peaceful and productive time. Establishing a routine that nourishes your body and mind will set a positive tone for the day ahead.
- Building Healthy Habits: Through guided workouts, meal planning, and daily affirmations, develop sustainable habits that support your overall well-being. These habits will not only enhance your mornings but also lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
- Embracing Intentional Living: Learn to slow down, bring more intentionality into your daily life, and focus on what truly matters. By aligning your daily actions with your values and goals, you'll find more joy, reduce stress, and create a fulfilling life.
Get access to the"Sunrise September" Facebook group to begin your journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Together, let's make September a month dedicated to nurturing our bodies and souls. Click the link below to join our community of support and start your path toward a more balanced, mindful life today.
Additional Resources
JOIN➡️ #BalancedBeginnings
Click here to LISTEN ➡️to the latest episodes of the #OneDegreetoVictory PODCAST.
Want information in real-time? Don't forget Kendall will be stopping by for two special editions of #WaystoWinWednesday. Tune in to #OneDegreetoVictory on Sept 11 & 25.
Introduction
Nutrition plays a critical role in our overall well-being. This blog post explores how proper nutrition can aid in shaping our attitude and awareness and how it can influence our behavior and beliefs, leading to sustained transformation in ourselves and our circumstances.
Nutrition and Mental Health
One of the most profound ways nutrition impacts our lives is through mental health. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can enhance brain function and emotional stability. According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, there is a direct correlation between diet quality and mental health. For women who have faced trauma, maintaining a nutritious diet can help mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety, cultivating a more positive outlook on life.
Building a Strong Foundation for Attitude and Awareness
Proper nutrition doesn't just benefit physical health; it also lays the groundwork for a positive attitude and heightened awareness. Consuming foods that support brain health, such as leafy greens, nuts, and berries, can improve cognitive function and emotional resilience. This, in turn, allows for a more mindful and constructive approach to daily challenges. Enhancing one's diet is akin to fortifying the very geometry of life, providing the essential building blocks for a healthier, more vibrant existence.
Influence on Behavior and Beliefs
The foods we eat can significantly influence our behavior and beliefs. Nutrient-rich diets promote better mood regulation and energy levels, which can lead to more proactive and positive behaviors. For women, who often face unique societal pressures, a nutritious diet can serve as a powerful tool for maintaining emotional equilibrium and reinforcing positive self-beliefs. This shift creates a ripple effect, improving not only personal circumstances but also relationships and community engagement.
Conclusion
Proper nutrition is a key component in shaping attitude, awareness, behavior, and beliefs. For women who have experienced trauma, adopting a nutritious diet can lead to profound changes in mental health, emotional resilience, and overall quality of life. By understanding and embracing the connection between what we eat and how we feel, it is possible to create a more balanced and fulfilling existence.
Let's be real. We're living in a world that's always on the go, and often, it feels like we're caught up in a whirlwind. Between hustling at work, keeping the family on track, and dealing with society's expectations (not to mention our self-doubts), it can get overwhelming. But guess what? We've got a secret weapon to help us navigate these stormy seas - the game-changing power of meditation.
This chat is all about diving deep into the heart of meditation, shedding light on how this practice, with its three core elements, can help us cultivate a sense of peace, strength, and resilience. Our goal? Well, that's easy; it's about empowering each other to face life's challenges with an unshakeable sense of calm and determination.
At its core, meditation is all about three things: staying present in the moment, rising above our immediate surroundings, and recognizing the interconnectedness of our inner selves. Each of these elements has the potential to make a profound difference in our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Being Present and Engaged
One of the defining elements of meditation is the practice of transcending our immediate surroundings or situations. Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." This ancient wisdom resonates deeply in our modern world, especially in our current, fast-paced, always-connected lifestyle, urging us to shift our focus from the uncertainties of the future to the certainties of the now.
And what is the result of this shift of focus? It's nothing short of transformative. It cultivates a peace that harmonizes our mind, spirit, and soul with our surroundings. It's a peace that allows us to face life's challenges with grace and strength, to see beyond the superficial, and to connect with the world around us at a deeper, more meaningful level. It's a peace that's transformative, thought-provoking, and profoundly impactful. And it's a peace that's within our reach through the power of meditation.
While we may be living in a world that's obsessed with the next big thing, with what's happening next, meditation teaches us the value of the here and now. It guides us into the richness of the present as we leave behind the worries of tomorrow and the regrets of yesterday.
Transcending Negative Thoughts
Second, meditation is that comforting voice that hushes the harsh one we often have in our heads. You know the one. The voice that tells us we've messed up, we've failed, or that things are never going to get any better. Meditation, BeautifulSoul, helps us put that voice on mute, and instead, it nudges us to think, "What if things have the potential to get better? What if there's a silver lining waiting just around that cloud?" What if we're just one step away from a breakthrough?
Imagine wearing a pair of glasses that highlight the positives, the possibilities, the 'what ifs' of life. That's what meditation offers us. It changes our attitude lens from one of impossibilities and pessimism to an optimistic attitude, believing in our potential for growth and transformation. It's that gentle reminder we all need sometimes, telling us that we're stronger than our struggles and that we're capable of turning our trials into triumphs.
It's all about flipping the script, darling! It's time to rewrite our narrative and become the authors of our own love story. Remember, BeautifulSoul, every cloud has a silver lining, and it's just waiting for you to discover it.
The Interconnectedness of Our Inner Selves
Finally, the most fabulous aspect of meditation - is acknowledging and celebrating the downright beautiful, intricate connectedness of our inner selves.
Listen, being mindful of this interconnectedness is like tapping into your own personal power grid! It's not just about being in sync with our emotions. It goes way beyond that!
Think about your intellectual self - that smart, savvy woman who's always analyzing and making sense of things. Well, the type of contemplative meditation we're talking about helps her shine even brighter. It's sharpening your mental focus, giving you that clarity to deal with life's ups and downs.
Then there's your imaginative self - that dreamer who conjures up visions of what could be. It's like fuel for this dreamer, encouraging her to stretch those wings and soar to new heights of hope and positivity.
Let's remember your spiritual self - that deep, soulful part of you that connects with the Highest Power. Meditation is a direct line to that spiritual depth, strengthening our faith and making our relationship with Him even more profound.
And lastly, our soulful self - that deep-feeling, empathetic part of us that loves to love. Meditation is like a warm hug for this part of us, allowing us to feel, empathize, and find joy in our existence.
Ladies, let's pledge ourselves to embedding meditation into our daily lives. It's like a VIP pass to understanding our emotions, stimulating our intellect, fueling our imagination, deepening our spirituality, and nurturing our souls. All while keeping the drama at bay. Now, that's what I call winning at life!
It’s hard to talk about failure. We live in a failure-averse society where failure is a sign of weakness, a sign that something went wrong. Failure signals defeat. But failure is so much more than that. Here’s how to harness failure and be fabulous at it.
The Plot
I planned a vision board party. The preparations were extensive; I had invitations for twenty people, gift bags for everyone, and an array of delicious food. The crafts were ready to inspire creativity, and the venue was generously donated by a pastor who believed in my cause. A couple who are members of the church even cooked. Sidenote: They have a fabulous ministry by the way!
The day arrived, and only two people participated - one of them being the vendor. The room was prepared for a crowd, but it was almost empty. Nevertheless, I didn't let the small turnout discourage me. I went forward with my presentation as planned, recording it and presenting as if I had a full room.
I won't deny that I felt a pang of disappointment. There was a moment when I wanted to feel angry, sad, and discouraged. On the other side of that fleeting moment of despair, I realized I needed to own this failure.
Own the failure
Failure happens outside of our comfort zone. It's a sign that we're pushing boundaries and trying new things, venturing into uncharted territories. So, I owned this failure. I found this failure to be a fabulous opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. On the drive home, my mind was already buzzing with thoughts and ideas. I was analyzing my strategies, and thinking about how I could more effectively target my audience, considering different approaches that might resonate more closely with them.
Don’t Compare
Don't compare your failure to others' successes. We've all seen people become overnight sensations, going viral on the internet and rocketing to fame. It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling left behind. Let me remind you, BeautifulSouls, that success isn't about gargantuan leaps; it's about incremental steps that continually stretch our limits, propelling us further each time.
Celebrate Success
Finally, I woke early this morning to write this blog because, hey, I did it! I accomplished the goal. I successfully hosted a complete vision board party, an achievement that filled me with immense pride and joy. Every detail, from securing the perfect venue to meticulously decorating it to match the theme, was handled by me. I took on the role of a presenter, sharing my insights and experiences with everyone, all the while ensuring that every moment was captured on camera. Despite the absence of a large crowd, the event was a success in my eyes. So here's my final piece of advice for you - always take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how insignificant they might seem. They are a testament to your courage and your willingness to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Here’s a question for you: what if all you wanted was to be better? This idea of "better" can look different for each of us. For me, becoming better is about being able to think clearly and handle all my daily responsibilities smoothly. It's about overcoming challenges with a positive attitude and ease. My responsibilities include the relationships I have with people in my life, whether it's my family, my students, or the people I serve in my work. My main goal in these relationships is to create a safe and comfortable space for them. However, what "safe" looks like can vary depending on the situation, and it's my job to figure out how to adapt.
So, the big question I ask myself is this: how can I improve myself to serve these relationships better? This is the journey I am on, a journey to become the best version of myself. This journey is always ongoing, filled with both challenges and victories. It's a journey about accepting who we are now while also striving to become who we can be in the future. This journey is uniquely individual and deeply rewarding.
One thing that all of us share is time and opportunity. We all have the same 24 hours in a day; how we choose to spend that time varies greatly. Taking advantage of an opportunity means we're making good use of the time and resources available to us. An opportunity is like a door that's open for us to walk through. Have you ever considered what activities in your life are just a waste of time? These are activities that don't prepare you to walk through your doors of opportunity. How can you tell if something is worth your time? Well, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: will this benefit me in the future? If the answer is no, then it might be a waste of time.
You get to decide what doors of opportunity to pursue by filling your time with activities that add value to your life now and in the future. You can make every second, every minute, every hour, and every day better than the last. That's what I mean when I say, "love yourself a little more than you did yesterday". Try doing something a little better for just one minute than you did the day before. See how that one minute can transform your life. Take a moment to pause and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from making progress. Sometimes, that's all it takes, just one moment.
In pursuit of self-improvement, remember that the work you do for yourself lasts. The work you do for self-improvement impacts your life. Your life, in turn, impacts your lifestyle, and your lifestyle impacts your relationships.
Keep moving forward! Your (inner)Self is depending on You! #OneDegreetoVictory #ShawneeForward
Join us for an uplifting Vision Board Party, where the theme is "Reflect, Reclaim, Rejoice" - dedicated to everyone eager to become the best version of themselves. This is your chance to articulate your dreams visually, learn how to get WIRED into your vision, and set a path toward actualizing your goals. With every cut-out magazine picture and every word of affirmation you pin to your board, you're not just crafting a vision; you're laying down the blueprint for your future. Don't miss this empowering experience to reflect on where you've been, reclaim your innate power, and rejoice in the journey ahead. ⬅️Click here for more information
Dive Deeper with Our Guide: "7 Days and 21 Ways Guide to Win Your Day, Mind, Body, and Soul".
⬅️Click here to start
your path to a remarkable self.
your path to a remarkable self.
