Hello and Welcome to a Spring edition of NADINE’S NUGGETS ~ morsels of information from various arenas including Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Herbology, Iridology, Personal Training and Nutrition.
Spring is such a lovely time filled with Possibility and Excitement. Knowing that flowers will be popping up from their fertile hideaway from months past. We, too are like those flowers. Many of us have been in a hideaway in the past months, steeped in fertile ground, simply waiting for the chance to break through the topsoil and rise towards the sun. With possibility in the wind, Who are you? What will you become? What will you Stand For?
So many times I hear folks list out their new years resolutions, only to see them fall by the wayside by March. My personal belief is that we do not follow through with those resolutions because they are old, they are habit, they are soooooo five minutes ago. One of my favorite sayings is “Been There!, Done That!, Have the t-shirt (usually in every size)!” Since we have already learned all there is to learn from that resolution or way of being we quickly lose interest.
Looking back or repeating old behavior holds no value. We want to learn. We want to grow. Like that new flower, we want to poke our new little head out of the fertile ground and reach for the sun. With an opportunity to explore uncharted territory, asking ourselves “Who am I? What do I want to become? What will I Stand For?”, become vital.
Spring is a wonderful time to explore new behavior(s), or new ways of being. As an example, let’s say Joe would like to explore the concept of Kindness. For today, Joe might look for 1-2 ways in which he can be kind to himself first and foremost (eat a good breakfast, take a shower, congratulate himself on a job well done, etc). Then how he can show kindness to another (open a door, say thank you, play with his cat, etc). Tomorrow, repeat the process, starting with himself first, then expanding to another. Before long, Kindness will be Joe’s new habit or way of being.
Affirmation: I matter to ME! As I learn to be KIND to myself, I can then be Kind to others.
Lisa has put everyone and everything first in her life. If you asked Lisa where she fits in the list of priorities, she will be the first to tell you, “I don’t matter, your needs are important, I come last”. My response?? BULL DO HICKEY!!! (and yes that is slang for crapola, major crapola). What if Lisa were to explore Self-Value. Lisa can begin small, with 5 minute sections just for her. I had a client who used to take ‘smoking breaks’. Mind you, she did not smoke, but those who did were given a 15 min smoking break multiple times during the day while at work. So my client would grab a pack of cigarettes and go out and stand by a tree to simply take some time for HER. Rather than a smoking break, we can create a Lisa Break. Here are a ideas Lisa might explore.
- Put on a song, and while the entire song is playing, Lisa get’s to indulge in something for herself (dancing around the room, trying on fun clothes, sitting quietly). Songs usually last 3-15 minutes. Wow, Lisa can build on this one and choose to Value herself for an entire CD.
- Hang a Lisa’s Time sign on the bedroom door. While that sign is hanging, no-one gets to bother Lisa. Inside Lisa might be enjoying a nap, a bubble bath, painting her nails etc. Anything, so long as LISA is the focus. This activity is great for 30 -60 mins. The key to this activity is honoring the sign. That means Lisa must also honor this boundary. Someone will attempt to break it. So it is key that Lisa honor this by saying.. I value myself. This is MY time.
- Wear a Lisa Hat ~ while the hat (any item will work) is ON, everyone can see Lisa, and Lisa can see them, however, each person must rely on themselves or other family members/co-workers etc. This one gives Lisa the ability to supervise or chaperon etc without hearing, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom.
Affirmation: I am Valuable. Each time I Value MYSELF I allow others to see my self-worth and value me as well.
Jill has an old habit/pattern of being alone, very quiet and staying hidden. She would dearly love to be Visible and Acknowledged. Before others can see her or acknowledge her, Jill must learn to see herself, acknowledge herself. Let’s explore a few action steps Jill might take as she embraces this new way of being.
- First thing in the morning, find a mirror, look at herself and say I See You
- Throughout the day, every time Jill passes a reflective surface, Stop, look into the reflective surface and acknowledge herself with the statement: I See You Jill.
- Acknowledgment Journal ~List 3 things to acknowledge yourself for. This can be done anytime during the day and is a great way to end the day. The wording is something like this: I acknowledge myself for putting on my socks. I acknowledge myself for choosing healthy foods today. I acknowledge myself for smiling at the clerk at the store. I acknowledge myself for embracing a new behavior.
Affirmation: I love being Seen. The more I acknowledge myself the more I can see myself. I AM Visible in the world.
Such glorious flowers are blooming when we each embrace a new behavior. A new way of being. The key is to do it for YOU first and foremost. Once you practice on YOU, the behavior can be practiced on those around you, those safe to you. Then the behavior can be practiced on those outside of that inner circle.
Excitement IS in the air as you Spring into You. May you experience both rain and sunshine during this time of growth and expansion. And remember, as you learn a new behavior/talent etc, mistakes are part of the process. The point is, you are Learning. You are Growing. If you try out a process that truly does not work for you, prune it, or pass it along for another. May your bouquet be filled with Variety, Color, Scents and Glory.
Dr Nadine
Nadine is a Naturopath and Holistic Nutrition Specialist, as such, can not and will not diagnose a disease, claim to cure a disease or prescribe medications. Dr Nadine provides knowledge; making it possible to take greater personal responsibility and ownership of your overall health and well-being. Making new eating and lifestyle choices along the way will allow improvement in quality of life and allows for greater self-awareness, self-discovery, internal balance and self-healing.