I wish I could take credit for the above title, but alas, all due credit goes to fitness expert and women’s wellness advocate, Ellen Barrett. Ellen and I go way back, around 20+ years ago, when I first discovered one of her exercise DVDs, and I haven’t stopped working out (or as she likes to call it-”mindful body movement”) alongside her since then. There have been times I’ve gotten lazy or tried other teachers, but I’ve always returned to her. For me, she’s a great fit of...

I was sitting with a client recently, talking about the scariness that likes to come along with us when we’re making big life changes, and how our mindset and attitude contributes to our experiences. Example: Rather than adopting an anxious or fearful response to a situation, I suggest adopting an exciting approach, a pondering sort of felt sense, such as “I wonder what’s coming next,” or “I wonder who or what is being sent to help me along this path.” That’s when my client casually commented, “This reminds me of the Kool-Aid Man.”

I’m fortunate to live within 4 minutes from one of my city’s parks, Willow Springs, which was founded in 1998 and consists of 36 acres of rolling hills, wooded trails, a dog park, and a pond full of turtles, the occasional Heron, and is currently supporting a Canadian geese family of 4. During the week, time-allowing, I make the short drive after work to walk those trails and to sit on a favorite bench at the top of a knoll, whether to meditate or to just be.

I’m sure at some point in elementary school, you were exposed to or taught the life stages of a caterpillar turning into the beautiful butterfly it was always meant to be. Probably in science class. The caterpillar painstakingly attaches its body to a branch or twig with silk, and then meticulously forms a chrysalis. Inside this protection is where the magical alchemy occurs. During the transformation phase, it’s dark and gooey while the DNA reconfigures, and at the end of this transition cycle, (not a crisis), the creature emerges into the being it was destined to become.

At the onset of spring’s arrival this year, I made the decision to consult a specialist for allergy testing. Reason being, for the last couple of springs (and falls), I’ve found myself unable to breathe and consumed with all the typical allergy symptoms that last all season. I’ve experienced this off and on for most of my adulthood, but lately it’s gotten super bad since spending more time outdoors. Let’s just say I wasn’t prepared for the outcome. Final results…

In this world today, our attention is pulled in a thousand different directions, from the alerts on our phones to the whole FOMO phenomenon or Fear of Missing Out. Current culture screams for our time, our money, even our values. We spin plates, get in ruts, and wonder how we got here. Now, how do we get outta here?

As a Generation X kid, before the age of cell phones and streaming, coming home after school at 3pm for me and many of my friends, meant one of two things-turning on the TV and tuning in to either Guiding Light or General Hospital. My soap of choice?

My intention for this space is to be a sacred one-at times deeply personal, reflective, contemplative, and one full of musings on human nature and humans in nature. Consider this a love letter of sorts to Nature and her gifts…