About Michelle

My passion in life is inspiration, wellness, and sharing healthy tips. Hope these postings bring you a smile you'll pass on. Feel good, Be well! ~Michelle

Feeling Overwhelmed

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Michelle

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris

Bench in trees

At times, I feel over-whelmed with the craziness of unrelenting news stories, an on-going construction project next door and my personal commitments. Our hectic lives make it difficult to catch our breath, slow down and nurture ourselves.

It’s important to incorporate self-care practices in our daily life instead of waiting until we’re on overload. If I wake up anxious about a busy schedule, I remind myself to take a few deep breaths. Focusing on inhaling and exhaling calms our mind. When I begin my day stretching, meditating, or sipping lemon and honey water it starts the day in a positive way before checking Email and to-do lists.

Ultimately, we need to know we don’t have to do everything or be constantly busy. It’s ok and healthy to take time for ourselves. Relaxing with a good book, sitting in nature, taking a walk, enjoying things that soothe our spirit strengthen us so we can keep going.

Here are some other tips and resources:

Wellness Expert, Motivational Speaker – https://www.peggyhall.com/
Lifehack – https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/8-things-remember-when-you-are-overwhelmed.html
Chopra Center – https://chopra.com/articles/learn-to-meditate-in-6-easy-steps

Feel Good – Be Happy

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Michelle

Family Time

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Michelle

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” -Desmond Tutu

It’s the last day of July and I realized I haven’t posted this month. I recently got back from a special trip visiting family in England. Here is a collection of memories captured in our hearts:

Anxiety before traveling soothed by precious times with family
Cooking vegetarian meals from around the world together
Dancing to Bob Marley while cooking – “Don’t worry be happy”
Singing to the Beatles bringing back childhood memories
Letting go of worries, embracing family love

Sweet experience of picking Georgie up at school seeing kids run with delight when teachers point to their family
Enjoying a polo match together listening to the thunder of horses’ hooves
Flying paper airplanes with Georgie giving them back to Uncle Gary for reconstruction
Watching Georgie and Uncle Gary walk hand in hand

Feeling comfort from being together
Walking around Stroud taking in its old history and charm
Strolling through a peaceful walk at Rococo Gardens in Painswick
Shooting pool, bowling together, celebrating my birthday on the last night
Pleasure of being in the moment, not worrying about yesterday or tomorrow

One Day at a Time

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Michelle

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

One step at a time

Too many things going on in our personal life combined with pressures of the world can be overwhelming. During these times, I remember the quote of taking one day at a time. The thought behind this principle is to just deal with what’s happening today. Don’t worry about tomorrow, next week … Getting through one day gives us strength and hope to move forward.

It’s like breaking down projects into manageable steps. Tackling one task at a time gives us reward and momentum to accomplish the goal. Inspiration for Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird came from her father’s advice to her brother’s frustration on completing a book project on birds. “Just take it bird by bird, buddy.”

Another important reminder is to not take on too many commitments. Let go of expectations and focus on priorities. When we take time to rest and reflect in between activities, we become more productive and ready to face challenges and the journey ahead.

When to say Yes or No

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Michelle

“Live in the Sunshine, Swim the Sea, Drink the Wild Air” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Last Friday, clouds loomed looking like it could rain any minute. I needed a walk on the beach to soak up energy from the ocean. When I stepped outside, it started to sprinkle. Oh, there goes my walk I thought. My adventurous side kicked in and said, are you kidding? It’s a perfect time to go.

Bundled in a hoodie and scarf, the wind whipped my hair while seagulls suspended in air catching a free ride on the current. Waves crashed over rocks. The sun peeked out long enough to create sparkles on the water. Saying Yes to an out of the ordinary experience pulls us from our comfort zone, opening our perception and new opportunities.

I just talked with a friend about knowing when to say No. We both decided when we no longer enjoy something, need a break from commitments, or want to do something different are all times to say No. As we move forward in life, we realize the benefits of doing things that make us happy, taking time for ourselves, and drinking the wild air.

Thoughts are Powerful

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Michelle

“You create your thoughts, your thoughts create your intentions, and your intentions create your reality.” – Wayne Dyer Leap of Faith

Our mind and thoughts are powerful. The placebo effect is an example. If you believe something is making you feel better it will. A positive, determined spirit is the first critical step of the healing process. There are countless stories of people who willed themselves to live, fight disease and make miraculous recoveries.

The personal stories of Paralympics athletes prove the amazing things you can do when you believe it’s possible. Mike Schultz lost most of one leg in a snowmobiling accident. He not only raced in the X Games afterwards, he built himself a better prosthetic leg to allow him to motocross race. That’s determination! He won a gold medal snowboarding this year.

At nineteen, Amy Purdy lost both legs from bacterial meningitis. Since then she won a bronze medal snow boarding in Sochi, won runner up on Dancing with the Stars, wrote a book: On My Own Two Feet, and won a silver medal this year despite suffering from a serious health condition in her arms leading up to the games.

There are countless other inspiring stories like these. Keep your thoughts positive and believe in the power to make them your reality.

Sitting in Stillness

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Michelle

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside you.” – Deepak Chopra

I am humbled by the infinite stillness of the ocean, not one wave flowing into shore. No ripples or boats mar its reflection of the sky’s quiet mood. It’s as if it’s frozen in time as I take time to capture this moment letting go of all worries and busyness.

Admiring peacefulness of the vast ocean fills my spirit with content knowing nature is always there for us, taking us back to our core existence. Letting go of technology and to-do lists, understanding that these experiences of true awareness feed our soul, keep us sustained in our daily lives, help us pursue goals and face challenges.

Take a moment to stop what you’re doing, breathe in a moment of solitude and silence and appreciate the amazing beauty surrounding us.

Finding Balance

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Michelle

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go” – Rumi

Balance comes into play in so many ways in our life. Achieving a work/life balance makes us happier and healthier. Our lives are enriched when we engage in activities, volunteer for a worthy cause, learn new skills. Just as important is making time to rest and nurture ourselves. As Rumi states, it’s an ongoing cycle of opposite energies.

Yin and Yang CO

Yin and Yang has been a Chinese principle for thousands of years. It represents opposite yet complimentary forces which dynamically join together to create harmony. We see numerous examples of this in nature: day and night, hot and cold, shadows in sunlight. Autumn prepares for the barren, stillness of winter. Springtime is a time of growth and renewal. Opposite forces create the flow of life.

Another perspective of balance is the tipping factor. Being in tune with our body and spirit helps us to understand our equilibrium point. It’s the process of knowing when to make adjustments before we tip over. Finding balance is an interconnected process as life changes. The one thing we can count on is feeling peaceful and content when we’ve achieved it.

Pause and Observe

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Michelle

“Make peace with the present moment.” – Eckhart Tolle

A friend told me today I seem more calm and content. It pleasantly surprised me she noticed. I’m working on going with the flow and not getting upset by things I can’t control. I try to take time to pause before responding to something. Just taking a breath helps me feel more peaceful in that moment.

Pause and Observe

Yesterday I watched Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday. Her guest was Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher and author of The Power of Now and A New Earth. They discussed conflict and divisiveness in the world today. Oprah asked, “Are we taking steps back in consciousness or is this happening to raise consciousness?” Eckhart explained it is not a linear process. Like our development in life, we experience challenges and obstacles to help us grow. When we have setbacks, we need to pause and observe. It’s not what happens to us but how we react to it.

He says stress is wanting something to be the way it isn’t. Look at the situation without belaboring it. When something happens to upset you, watch your mind and what it’s telling you. “Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the awareness behind them.”

If you would like to hear him talk more about this concept, here’s a 2 ½ minute Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys17xPHS2Q8