Collective Blog

Did you know that tracking your fertile window is crucial in increasing your chances to get pregnant? Your fertile window is the time period of your menstrual cycle that has the greatest chance of conception. This time period is known as 5 days before ovulation, as well as the day of ovulation. Understanding your ovulation not only gives you insight into your fertile window, but also helps you gain a deeper understanding of your reproductive health. You can track your
ovulation using a variety of methods, such as OPK kits, cervical mucus, and BBT monitoring.

1. Ovulation Predictor Kits (also known as OPK kits) detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (also known as LH). LH is secreted from the pituitary gland just before ovulation, and creates this surge about 24 hours before ovulation occurs. It is best to use OPK kits starting on Day 11 of your menstrual cycle until you get a positive and then a negative test. Generally, you should get a positive OPK test result the day before you ovulate. When taking this into account, the best time to have intercourse is the day you get a positive OPK result and the day after.

2. Cervical mucus is a gel-like fluid that gets released from the cervix. Due to the increase
in estrogen, this triggers the cervix to produce a fertile mucus. This ideal cervical mucus at ovulation should appear as a clear, egg-white, slippery, or stretchy mucus. It can appear between Day 10-15 of the menstrual cycle. When it does appear, it indicates that ovulation has occurred. It is best to track cervical mucus over the month consistently, to help you indicate when ovulation occurs. When taking this into account, the best time to have intercourse is on the day you notice this egg-white stretchy cervical discharge.

3. Basal Body Temperature (also known as BBT) involves measuring your resting body temperature. Progesterone is our reproductive hormone that increases in the second half of our menstrual cycle (our luteal phase), resulting from ovulation. When ovulation occurs, the corpus luteum produces progesterone and this increases our body temperature. Just before you notice the increase in your body temperature, you will note a small dip in body temperature. This brief body temperature decrease represents ovulation. When utilizing BBT tracking to confirm ovulation, you are looking for increases in your body temperature; this can be a 0.5 degree difference. Ideal timing to measure
your body temperature is in the morning, upon waking up and before getting out of bed. It is important to measure at a consistent time every day to yield accurate findings. It is ideal to use a thermometer that has 2 decimal points to help you note small changes to your body temperature. When taking this into account, this method doesn’t tell you when to have intercourse, but it will confirm that ovulation has occurred. The best time to have intercourse would be the day before you notice your body temperature rising.

Another tracking method is phone apps, such as Flo Health, Ovia, and Glow Fertility Tracker. Inputting information on these apps for at least 3 months, can provide insight on your cycle length and ovulation window. However, these apps may not be 100% accurate, and should not be used solely to predict ovulation. It is best to combine all the information gathered on multiple tracking methods to provide you an accurate picture on your fertile window.

Tracking your ovulation provides you information on optimal timing for intercourse, information on your overall reproductive health, helps you assess for any hormonal imbalances, and gives you a clearer picture of your fertile window. When optimizing your fertility, knowledge is power!

Let’s share this knowledge to support your fertility and overall reproductive health.

Breathwork is a powerful practice that when integrated, can transform your life. When I was first learning about Breathwork there were a few guiding principles that led to my internal awakening and continues to guide my practice and my life.

Some of the principles sound easy in theory but allowing yourself to fully surrender and trust yourself in the process can be difficult but is essential. In Breathwork the concept of surrender does not signify defeat or weakness, rather an opportunity for personal insight. When you surrender to the process, you allow new experiences and opportunities to present themselves. Our thinking mind can act like a vessel, defaulting to stories or scenarios that reinforce limiting beliefs. With Breathwork we step away from this thinking mind and remove the distractions that impact our ability to live in the moment. 

The next principle is what you resist persists and the way past is through. In a Breathwork session life material arises when you are subconsciously ready and equipped to face it. In this safe container, you have the opportunity to explore, heal, and resolve items that may be holding you back from wellness. 

Other Breathwork jargon you might hear is, everything is grist for the mill. So what does this mean? Basically, it’s acceptance that what will be will be and whatever happens, happens. Whether there are glitches in the music or you are interrupted by family, or distractions in the room. Your frustration, anger, joy, and laughter: they are all a part of the Breathwork session. Breathe into the emotion, breathe into any movement you experience, breathe to deepen and maximize the experience. It is all energy ready to be released.

After a Breathwork session, it is important to take time to reintegrate into regular daily activity. Here are some of the transitional activities to help integrate:

• Mandala drawing
• Journal
• Take a shower or bath
• Get outside in nature  
• Any quiet, mindful activity

There is no limit to what you can do to integrate, do what feels right for you. As Breathwork becomes one of your self care activities, you will notice how impactful it can be in your everyday life. 

Christie enjoyed a long career in nursing and is now pursuing her passion in self development. Wellness Haven and Health offers Life Skills Coaching, Happiness Coaching, and Neurodynamic Breathwork. Encouraging self empowerment for all clients with a focus on the seven principles of wellness.

Learn more about Christie

Recently at a Happy Healthy Women Branch Director’s Meeting, Natalie Colalillo, our amazing leader, highlighted the benefits of strategic partnerships within the community. She reminded us that strategic partnerships can be the key to unlocking new opportunities, expanding your reach, and achieving your business goals. 

This got me thinking about how creating a course offers a unique avenue to forge meaningful connections and collaborations with like-minded individuals and businesses.

Here's how:

1. Shared Vision, Shared Success: When you create a course, you're sharing your knowledge, skills, and passion with others who resonate with your vision. This shared purpose forms the foundation for strong partnerships, as you align with individuals and groups who share your values and goals.
   
   
2. Networking Opportunities: Developing a course opens doors to networking opportunities with experts, influencers, and potential collaborators in your field. As you promote your course and engage with your audience, you'll naturally connect with others who can enhance your offerings or become valuable partners in future projects.
   
   
3. Collaborative Course Creation: Collaboration is at the heart of course creation. You might invite guest speakers, co-create content with industry peers, or collaborate with complementary businesses to offer a more comprehensive learning experience. These collaborations not only enrich your course but also lay the groundwork for future partnerships.
   
   
4. Access to New Audiences: Partnering with others allows you to tap into new audiences and markets. By offering your course to someone else's audience or co-hosting a workshop with a partner, you can reach people who may not have discovered you otherwise, expanding your reach and influence.
   
   
5. Cross-Promotion Opportunities: Strategic partnerships can also lead to cross-promotion opportunities, where you and your partner promote each other's offerings to your respective audiences. This can significantly boost your visibility and credibility within your industry.
   
   
6. Resource Sharing and Support: Building partnerships through course creation can also open doors to resource sharing and mutual support. Whether it's sharing expertise, access to tools and technologies, or providing emotional support, these partnerships can help you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship more effectively.
   
   
7. Community Building: Finally, course creation can be a powerful tool for building a community around your brand. As you engage with your students and collaborators, you're creating a network of like-minded individuals who can support and uplift each other, both personally and professionally.

Here’s the big takeaway! Course creation is not just about sharing knowledge; it's also a powerful strategy for building strategic partnerships with others. By leveraging your course as a platform for collaboration, networking, and community building, you can amplify your impact, reach new audiences, and create lasting relationships that benefit both you and your partners. So, if you embark on your course creation journey, keep an eye out for opportunities to connect and collaborate with others, and watch your network and influence grow.

Tracy Sherriff is a Certified Course Creation Expert who helps coaches, service-based professionals, and other business owners successfully scale their businesses online with high-quality, high-impact courses and programs. You can connect with Tracy by visiting her website tracysherriff.com, or finding her on Instagram @tracy.sherriff

Let’s admit it: starting a new creative project can be scary.

Maybe you’ve gone months without writing a single word.

Maybe it’s been years since you last picked up a pencil to draw.

Maybe it’s even been a decade since you played a single note on your piano or guitar.

But there’s something inside you that wants to take action on your creative work.
There’s an itch in the back of your mind, or an urge in your heart. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore it.

But you’re scared. You start thinking, what if I’m not good at it anymore? What if I try and I fail? What if I share my creative work with the world and get crickets?

I’m here to tell you, it’s okay if you’re afraid. We’ve all been there. It’s understandable to feel
that way if it’s been a while.

But there’s a way to move past that fear, to curate your own personal inspiration, and to dive into the creative work that excites you. Here’s how.

Step #1:

Get something to write on.

Take a piece of paper and a pen. Open a notes app on your phone. Open a blank Word doc on your computer. Whatever is easiest for you.

Step #2:

Think of one thing that inspired you to make and create.

Maybe it was a video/book/blog/album/painting/animation/movie that made you think, “Wow,
I’d love to do that, too!”

Maybe it was a specific person who encouraged you.

Maybe something important or significant happened in your life.

Dig deep and find that one special moment that sparked your creative urges.

Step #3:

Note down how it made you feel, and why it inspired you. Why and how did it make you want to create?

What was it about that album that made you want to play music? What did your 8th grade
teacher say that made you want to write? What about that animation made you want to draw?

Really sink into those emotions and note it down in as much detail as possible.

And finally, Step #4:

Every time you feel afraid to pick up that pencil, every time you feel that fear of putting fingers
to keys, I want you to pull out that note you just made and remember. Remember how it feels to be inspired. Remember why you wanted to create in the first place.

Channel those memories, those moments of inspiration, and I guarantee, you’ll be able to power through that fear and bring your creative vision to life.

Candice is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur dedicated to writing, music, and mindset shifts. As a multi-six-figure bestselling novelist, wellness e-com founder, affirmation product designer, and amateur music producer, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Creativity Facilitator. Candice helps clients overcome indecision, refill their creative wells, get rid of blocks, and take action on their passion projects. With an enthusiastic and empowering approach, she offers 1:1 coaching and workshops to guide people toward their creative goals. Candice's mission is to inspire and support others in achieving their dreams so they can find fulfillment and joy.

Visit Candice's Website

Follow Candice on Instagram

Bloating. This is a symptom that you probably have experienced at least once in your life and are familiar with. The discomfort when we experience bloating is real, and this can affect our ability to take part in social gatherings or even go to work. The question that comes up is, how do we beat the bloat? Remember that bloating is just a symptom, and is usually a small part of a bigger issue. So if we want to beat the bloat, we have to determine where the bloating is coming from.

Now what causes bloating?

1. Low stomach acid or inadequate digestive enzymes: Our bodies require stomach acid and digestive enzymes to digest our foods thoroughly, as well as absorb the vitamins and nutrients obtained from those foods. With inadequate stomach acid, we can’t break down our foods thoroughly, which can cause those foods to be fermented in the gut; exacerbating bloating, gas, and other abdominal symptoms. 
2. Dysbiosis: Our gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live in our digestive tract. This gut microbiome needs to be in balance for our bodies to function optimally. If we experience an overgrowth of particular microorganisms (ex. yeast) or lose some of our beneficial bacteria, this can cause dysbiosis to be present. If we do not have an optimal gut microbiome, this can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, affect the integrity of the intestinal lining, and contribute to abdominal symptoms such as bloating.
3. Food sensitivities: Food sensitivities can cause poorly digested foods to move through our digestive tract and trigger an immune mediated response. This response can increase inflammation in the digestive tract and contribute to bloating.
4. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): SIBO is a digestive condition that involves the presence of bacteria in the small intestine, which can increase fermentation and cause gas, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. 
5. Altered mind-gut connection: Our mind and gut talk to one another consistently, and therefore influence each others’ functions. When we feel stressed or anxious, it can cause stool retention, increase inflammation in the digestive tract, affect the integrity of the intestinal lining, negatively affect the microbiome composition; which are all contributing factors to bloating. 
6. Visceral hypersensitivity: This involves heightened sensitivity of the abdominal organs to stimuli such as distention and inflammation. When we experience visceral hypersensitivity, we perceive normal or mild stimuli to be intense or painful. This condition can be associated with IBS and functional dyspepsia as well. 
7. Endometriosis and hormonal imbalances: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where endometrial tissue that lines the uterus starts growing on other parts of the body, such as the ovaries and abdomen. This condition can cause symptoms such as very painful menstrual cramps (especially those that are not fully alleviated with pain medication), pain during or after intercourse, pain with bowel movements, pain with urination, low back pain, and bloating. Bloating can also be associated with thyroid imbalances (ex. hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), high cortisol, and estrogen dominance. 
8. Poor eating habits: Overeating, eating too quickly, not eating mindfully, eating while working or driving, and not chewing your food thoroughly can affect our digestive process, affect stomach acid and digestive enzyme secretion, and increase fermentation; which can all cause bloating. 

Now what can you do about it?

1. Consume a nutrient dense diet, especially fiber-rich foods: Consuming a diet rich in plant fibers increases the diversity of our gut microbiome. Fiber is important because it feeds our gut microbiome. Some great fiber sources are oats, flax seeds, psyllium seeds, raspberries, broccoli, and apples. As a general recommendation, you want to try to consume 25-30 g of fiber/day. While adding in fiber, you also want to reduce your intake of processed foods, refined foods, sugars/sweeteners, and carbonated drinks because they can exacerbate bloating. 
2. Drink at least 2-3L water/day, with minimal water intake with meals: Optimizing your water intake is important to help ensure stools are moving in your digestive system, therefore preventing constipation. One recommendation I provide my patients is to start your day off with 1 tall glass of lemon water to set good intentions. 
3. Engage in regular physical activity: Movement helps support regular bowel movements, reduces the underlying inflammation in the gut, and helps support the growth of an optimal gut microbiome. Start off small by doing an exercise you love 1-2 days/week, and build from there!
4. Support your mental health: If you are experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, or depression, it is crucial to support your mood and the mind-gut connection. When you feel happy, your gut feels happy! As a starting point, consider mindfulness strategies such as yoga, deep diaphragmatic breathing, and self-care.
5. Eat mindfully: How we eat significantly impacts our mind-gut connection. Eating mindfully stimulates our parasympathetic nervous system, which supports our mood and digestive functioning. Don’t forget to chew your food thoroughly, take at least 20 minutes to eat each meal, eat with minimal distractions, sit down at the table while eating, and be present with the food in front of you.
6. Consider starting a good quality probiotic: Probiotics can be a great option to consider if you have a personal history of multiple antibiotic use or you are experiencing dysbiosis. While probiotics can be helpful for some individuals, it may not be the best treatment for others with bloating. Before consuming, always double check with your health care provider to ensure it's the best option for you.
7. Consider bitters if your digestion is sluggish: When you ingest bitters, the moment it touches your tongue it sends signals to your vagus nerve to stimulate digestion. It helps stimulate the release of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, provides anti-inflammatory benefits, supports liver function, and calms down the nervous system. Before consuming, always double check with your health care provider to ensure it's the best option for you.

As a gut-focused naturopathic doctor, when I am addressing bloating I initially complete a thorough assessment, order relevant laboratory blood work, and collaboratively work with my patient to create a personalized treatment plan specific to their root cause of bloating. Addressing bloating is not a one size fits all approach. So if you experience bloating let’s create a sustainable plan to beat your bloating for good!

Dr. Ishani Patel is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor who has a clinical focus in women’s health, hormones, digestive health, and autoimmunity. She is dedicated to helping her patients determine the root cause of their health concerns, help them find balance in their lives, prevent disease or a worsening of their health conditions, and help them live their optimal state of health.

You can connect with Dr. Patel through her website drishanipatelnd.com, by email at ishanipatelnd@gmail.com, or by reaching out to her on Instagram @drishanipatel.nd.

We come into the world with a big breath often followed by a cry and we come to the end of life when our breath ceases. This is an automatic function that does not require us to think about it for it to happen but it is something that we can control.

When we are in pain we hold our breath, when we are anxious or excited our breathing becomes rapid. When we are at peace we have slow even paced breath. There is no disputing that breathing is essential to life and how we take care of our breath is important. The connection with our mental, emotional, and physical body is vital. There are many ways to utilize our breath to bring stability to this connection and Neurodynamic breathwork as a practice certainly can help.

Neurodynamic breathwork as a practice can:

1. Create a space for inner healing
2. Access material that has been stuffed deep into our subconscious so that it can be processed
3. Enable one to tap into deeper aspects of life by quieting the mind to hear and see what your body is needing from you
4. Empower you to bring ideas and creativity into your everyday life

Breathwork, in combination with other practices, helps you explore life in new dynamic ways. As integration takes place you will discover deeper aspects of life you never knew existed. Next month we will explore key principles of Breathwork and integration.

Our lives are busy, we have so many important roles at home and in our workplace that at times we can become imbalanced. These imbalances can be a result of:

1:  Family needs

2:  Work pressures and demands

3:  Challenges with time management

4:  Social life events

This list could go on and certainly could be more individualized. If we take inventory of our life, we can come to know where those imbalances are and find solutions to create harmony.

There are many ways that we can aim to create balance in our life and Breathwork is a powerful way to achieve it. All of us have the power within to become our own Inner healer. Making this a regular practice by tapping into your inner self and exploring can bring balance, clarity, and calm into your everyday life. The more we work on ourselves the more authentic our empowerment is.

There are stories we tell ourselves (some aren’t even our own), self fulfilled prophecies, habits/self limiting beliefs, the surface living, this is where we become reactors to life rather than the creators of our life. Where did our truths come from? We can be so bound to our truth that there is no room for any other information to be received. Our interpretation of reality is just that! Our interpretation. We recreate scenarios over and over again until we learn the lesson. We could spend our entire earthly existence with a changeup of characters but rehashing the same experience. When we live in our head too much, we waste a lot of time and simple tasks can become more challenging.

When we are living in the present- in the now, we are proactively creating the life we choose to live. Choosing the life you want to live is possible when we create space for it. The depth that can be achieved by committing to doing our inner work is incredibly powerful. Life truly becomes more balanced when we take time for ourselves to ground, awaken, and become clear on what matters the most.

The Power Within written by Tav Sparks discusses a concept called Yoga of the cross or Awareness Positioning System. This concept describes the horizontal line as our life material. The vertical line demonstrates what is grounding us at the bottom but also includes our belief systems, and the top of it connects us to our source, our universal intelligence. Keeping a natural, fluid flow where we experience life material and move it up and through the vertical enables us to stay present and in the moment. Regularly practicing Breathwork can bring the balance we are often seeking in life.

Have you been experiencing digestive symptoms that are affecting your quality of life? A naturopathic doctor can help support your gut health using the 4 R’s. The 4 R’s are the key steps that can optimize your gut health; Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate, and Repair.

1. Remove: This is the first step in your gut healing journey. We are removing factors that are negatively affecting your digestive health. Individuals can differ depending on what factors are affecting their digestive health, as well as the quantity of factors. Now how do we find out these factors? Comprehensive stool samples and digestive blood work markers (ex. pancreatic enzymes, celiac testing, etc.) can indicate if you have certain underlying digestive conditions or a microbial overgrowth. Some of these factors can include particular microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, yeast, and viruses), medications, poor quality diet (sugar, alcohol, food additives, fried foods, and fatty foods), food sensitivities, and toxins. We need to determine what these factors are and remove them to give your digestive tract some time to start healing.
2. Replace: In this step, we are working towards replacing the factors that were insufficient, (ex. digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and nutritional deficiencies), with dietary nutrients and gut health foods that promote digestive healing. Some great examples you can consider implementing are anti-inflammatory herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and high fiber foods. Digestive enzymes assist in the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and may be indicated in people with food intolerances and celiac disease.
3. Re-inoculate: During this step, we are re-inoculating personalized prebiotics and probiotics in your digestive tract. Prebiotics help feed the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut, so they can grow and thrive. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that optimize the health of your digestive tract. If you have comprehensive stool data of the diversity of your gut microbiome, the introduction of probiotics can be more personalized to you. How else can you introduce probiotics? Some great ways are by consuming fermented foods (ex. kefir yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi), eating a variety of plant-based fibers, as well as engaging in regular physical activity to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Probiotics will secrete anti-inflammatory compounds, support healthy immune functionning, reduce intestinal permeability, and positively influence microbiome functioning.
4. Repair: This is the last step in your gut healing process. The goal is to heal your gut lining with herbs, vitamins, and nutraceuticals that have been empirically shown to reduce inflammation and intestinal permeability. A leaky gut can present with symptoms such as brain fog, mood imbalances, headaches, autoimmune concerns, and more! What are some of these nutrients? Glutamine, slippery elm bark, aloe vera, zinc, marshmallow root, curcumin, omega 3 fatty acids, mastic gum, bone broth, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, and polyphenols.

The 4 R’s are a protocol to help promote digestive healing and improve digestive health. If you want to consider trying this protocol, initially speak with your health care practionner to create the most appropriate plan for you.

Our gut health plays a huge role in our overall health, so let’s go show our guts some love!

Confidence has a funny way of turning into overconfidence, and nowhere was this more evident to me than the day I walked into the local Police College gym. As a seasoned marathon runner and a new triathlon enthusiast, I was no stranger to physical challenges. My legs had pounded more miles of pavement than I could count, and my lungs had weathered the burning winds of exhaustive cross-training. But as I sized up my competition that day, among the 40 women there, many of them younger than my 40+ years, I was about to get a lesson in humility — and eventually, in grit and resilience.

The Wake-Up Call:

The physical test I faced was a far cry from the long, steady burn of marathon running or the varied paces of a triathlon. I had scoffed at the idea of it being challenging, equating it to a mere half marathon — a distance I could usually cover with my eyes closed. That complacency was my undoing. The test demanded raw, explosive power: scaling walls, sprinting stairs, heaving weights, and dragging a 150-pound dummy. It was a gruelling gauntlet that left me spent, far behind the necessary completion time. My confidence crumbled. The sprint that followed was a testament to my drained reserves — I simply couldn't hit the required speed and time. I left the gym that day with a bruised ego, and my dream of becoming a police officer seemingly dashed to pieces.

Grit Rises from the Ashes:

But here's the thing about hitting rock bottom — the only way left to go is up. The next day, as the sun of defeat set and the dawn of determination rose, my true grit sparked to life. This was more than just physical strength; it was about mental toughness, the kind you don't know you have until quitting looks like the only option. I laid out a battle plan with a simple, unyielding objective: nail the physical test.

Every morning found myself at the high school track before the first rays of light crested the horizon. I sprinted to the soundtrack of shuttle run beeps, each step a defiant stomp against my previous failure. In the privacy of my office, with the door closed, I marked every hour with push-ups, starting from scratch and climbing in reps. My journey wasn't just about physical training; it was a mental transformation — from the inside out.

Confidence Rebuilt:

With each push-up, sprint, and bead of sweat, my confidence — true, hard-earned — began to rebuild. It wasn't the false assurance of past achievements but a new, solid belief in my current capabilities. It was confidence with a foundation of resilience, knowing that if I could push through this, adapt, and overcome, I could face any challenge.

A month later, the gym walls that once witnessed my defeat now echoed with the sound of my triumph. Not only did I complete the test, I crushed it. It was a victory not just for my physical abilities but for the indomitable human spirit that refuses to be defined by a single setback.

Grit and resilience aren't just about enduring; they're about redefining the boundaries of your potential. And confidence? It's not a trophy you're awarded; it's a medal you forge in the fire of your own will. That day, I didn't just pass a test — I redefined what I was capable of, and I've carried that lesson with me ever since.

To anyone standing before their wall, feeling spent and defeated: let this story be your starting gun. The race isn't over. It's just beginning.

There was a time when the world thought the 4-minute mile was impossible. Now go climb that wall!

Embrace boldness. Embody confidence.

As entrepreneurs we often feel like we must be doing all the things, and always be 'on'. Which often can lead to burnout... 

The importance of slowing down has been the biggest lesson I have learned over my past few years of entrepreneurship. It was also the main topic of my mastermind last week. 

The truth is if we are always running, rushing, and filling our time with tasks, we will burn out. Especially if we are filling our calendars with tasks that don't energize us. We have to make space in our days to slow down. 

My best ideas come from the slower moments. My energy comes from the slower moments. I attract more when I slow down! 

Learning to prioritize the slower moments is one of the things I would attribute my success to. In fact, last year I earned far more money and worked far less than previously years. I took more time to be intentional, to slow down, to spend more time with my kids and continued to take inspired action. I moved away from the hustle and the grind and found more joy in my days and in my work. 

This is what is meant by working smarter and not harder. And it works! Listening to what you need, knowing that there are seasons, and learning how you need to work through each of your seasons - that is what is going to help you the most!

My old paradigm told me that it was all hard work that would move me towards my goal - but that is just not true. Hard work is not the answer.  

So, schedule more time for slowing down. Make sure you do something every day to fill your own cup. You will be surprised at how much more you can accomplish!

We get to make the decision of how we are going to face our life, is it going to be through well-being or suffering. The choice between light or heavy. What we choose to carry out in the world and spread around. Choose joy. There are simple ways to connect to joy and even in the darkest of times there is a sliver of joy somewhere.

How to live a joy FULL life: 

1. Practice presence. Connect with your breath, you are alive.
2. Awareness of your surroundings. What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you smell?
3. Take time to be still and ask your heart to connect to the joy you have within.
4. Acknowledge the preciousness that each day brings.

There are times of difficulty in life but choosing what we put our focus on can change our perspective and outlook. Be still, do the work. These were words spoken to me a long time ago from a spiritual healer and they impacted my life profoundly. We can get so caught up in living our life and it unfolds in ways that we did not intend related to the needs of our family or whatever rents space in our head. We can forget to be still and tap into the joy we have in our heart space. Remember that the sun rising is a gift and the day offers you tremendous opportunity.