For us humans, we can face a lot of challenges if we have emotional safety. Imperative in creating that emotional safety is connection. And that starts with the connection we have to ourselves. Central to that is the practice of being compassionate with ourselves. Not shaming ourselves for our perceived or real mistakes or short comings.

We often have a tendency to want to push away anything that causes us pain. It’s a natural response to want to avoid discomfort and seek pleasure. However, when it comes to the painful parts of ourselves, this approach can do more harm than good. In fact, it’s crucial that we learn to embrace and love those parts of ourselves, even when they cause us pain.

Play helps us build our neural pathways, improve cognitive function, develop our physical bodies, learn problem solving, develop our social skills and enhance our emotional well being.

It can be scary to try new things, to put yourself out there in a way you have not done before. We may ask ourselves questions like, “What if I don’t succeed?” or “What if other people don’t approve of or like what I did?” or “What if I make a mistake?”

It's not merely the lack of a strength or being good at something that creates our perceived weaknesses. Those things that we define within ourselves as weaknesses, only acquire that definition because there is a desire behind them. 

In order to reduce or eliminate procrastination it’s important to know the reasons why we procrastinate. Often we think, if only I had a better system, I would get so much more done. However if we aren’t exploring the emotions, the blocks and the unhelpful stories that are not serving us then having the best systems in the world are not going to solve the procrastination puzzle.

Early this spring I had the opportunity to host another forest therapy guide, Monique Giroux for one of my forest bathing experiences. The article we collaborated on shares some of the joys and awarenesses available through forest bathing. You’ll gain insights into what drew me to become a guide and more importantly how it will benefit you.

We all have an inner voice. The patterns with which that voice speaks, whether critical and condescending or compassionate and caring can have a major impact on our lives and how we relate to the world around us.

My body often operates like the law of inertia. When I’m moving, whether on a project or on the trail, I can feel the pull to keep going. Almost like gravity pulling a roller coaster down hill. But getting the momentum can feel like a huge effort.

Have you ever wanted to accomplish something, yet could not get yourself motivated to begin? This past weekend I was struggling with procrastination brought on by…

Procrastination impacts so many of us. Maybe it’s just a minor annoyance for you and then again maybe it’s keeping you from living the life you most desire. Why do we procrastinate and how does it keep us safe?

We all deal with procrastination at one time or another, some of us more than others. Perfectionism which is more insidious and comes in more variations than you may think may be limiting you.

Nature is such a powerful healer. Our bodies, our minds, our nervous systems evolved in connection with the natural world. Through the eyes of a guest…

ACHIEVING THE UNACHIEVABLE - (Four steps to get you there) -Releasing the Overwhelm

Have you ever wondered why you procrastinate? Procrastination may be a trauma response, it may be fear, anxiety or boredom and on and on. In essence, some part of our nervous system is in a state of overwhelm whether consciously or unconsciously.

Anxiety, is an early warning system. Our cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine all get raised in our blood stream preparing us for Fight/Flight/Freeze. Like the tingles we might get up and down our spine if...

As I leave my
tent, there is only a diffuse light in the sky. I
gather my gear and head down the hill to the water. As
I pull away from the landing in my kayak…

One summer while hiking through Arches National Park
in Utah I was surrounded by grandeur. Massive arches
towering above me, slabs of immense stone columns
straining…

There is a sense of freedom in not having to be anything for anybody else. To be able to share our full selves and to be seen and held in doing so. Often we feel or are even told we need to show up in a certain way, we have to hide a part of who we are to be "presentable" or "acceptable" to those around us

Previously,when my mind said something was going to be difficult, which was its default position, I just assumed that meant don’t even bother. I didn’t know challenging or better yet reframing or letting go of those thoughts was an option.