News: April 2024

How to Stay Calm in a Crazy World: It Starts with You

I was honored to be interviewed for the Finding Freedom in Chaos Summit, which airs online from April 29th through May 3rd. The conversations in this event bring needed awareness, insight, guidance, teachings, and hope as we navigate today's challenges and our fears of the unknown.

If you live on Earth, you probably know that there is chaos in the world. Everywhere we look, there's news about corruption, climate change, wars, terrorism, inequality, and a pandemic. Is it any wonder that mental health has taken a sharp decline? Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders have been on the rise. But it doesn't take diagnoses to see that we all suffer to some extent.

And what about the chaos of daily living? We're faced with ongoing stressors like job pressure, financial concerns, parenting, family drama, relationship issues, illness, death, overbooked schedules, sleep deprivation, and email overload. Our bodies are overtaxed by prolonged states of fight, flight, freeze, or collapse.

It doesn't need to be that way. While we have very little control over events in the external world, we do have control of our internal world. We may not always realize it, but we have a choice. We can be swept away by feelings of fear, anger, and hopelessness, or we can pause, become mindful, and respond in a way that is beneficial to ourselves and others. For most of us, the second option takes a lot of practice, but it is transformational.

First notice that your mind is a chatterbox, either ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. We are often flooded with intrusive negative thoughts and feelings. That's human nature and there's not much we can do about it. What we can do is recognize that we are having thoughts and feelings. We become an observer of what's happening in our minds and bodies. This creates an opportunity to detach from our thoughts, as if watching them on a movie screen. If we observe our thoughts, we can't be our thoughts. It is in this space that we find our autonomy and equanimity. We can get out of our own way and respond to situations with mindful awareness.

The more we practice observing and responding, rather than emotionally reacting, the more regulated and resilient we become. We transform our health and wellbeing and in doing so, can better serve those around us.

If we want to make a positive change in the world, we have to first work on ourselves. This is how we find freedom in the face of chaos, and this is how we will help to free others. Join me at the Summit and let's take this healing journey together.

Click here to get your free ticket and see the lineup of expert speakers!

Relieve Achy Hands and Fingers

Im willing to bet that everyones hands could do with some TLC. Our hands are used and abused every day with repetitive tasks like typing, texting, and mouse-clicking. Not to mention those who work with their hands for a living, like artists, musicians, carpenters, chefs, hair stylists, and massage therapists like myself.

We need to keep our hands and fingers healthy if we are to continue our busy daily activities. It is no fun trying to trudge through the day with hand injuries or pain. Follow along with me as I guide you through a simple and effective self-massage for your hands. Practice this massage a few times a week to keep your hands and fingers pain-free and flexible.

What's new with me ...

Sienna had a glorious birthday, which was celebrated all month long. It began with a cupcake party with her school friends, surprises when she got home from school, playing in playgrounds, exploring a community garden, her favorite ice cream, a super fun playdate with friends, and two separate family celebrations that were filled with more fun and surprises. She is a very happy 11-year old!