Master Mental Self-Care and Develop a Whole Mind Lifestyle with Think, Learn, Succeed

I hadn’t been to any conferences since our children were born, but the decision to attend was an easy one. My husband agreed to take care of all 3 little ones and we both prayed that our exclusively nursed baby would give me enough time to enjoy the speaker. My dad had introduced me to her work years before. I was intrigued because there aren’t too many health or wellness professionals who can effortlessly explain the science and the scripture. She didn’t disappoint. Dr. Caroline Leaf stood before me describing the neuroplasticity of our brains in a way everyone could understand; weaving together how we can wither or grow pathways in our brains with the thoughts we think. Yes, I’m a forever fan. I’ve been reading books like Your Life Follows Your Words and Battlefield of the ... Read More

How to Prevent Neglect from Leading to Disrepair

I picked up the bag and the straps fell apart, disintegrating in my hand. I was devastated. The purse was only put away for a season, as I brought out my heavier canvased purse for the colder winter months. Not once did I think about the material of the straps and their need for attention. I thought I was giving it a longer life by putting it away, untouched for a while. But sadly, that wasn’t the case. I got over it. It was only a purse, but the crumbling straps remain a reminder to me of the impact of neglect in any area of our lives. Whether it’s our health, relationships or spaces, they all need continuous attention to be maintained and improved, or they’re in jeopardy of falling apart. Sometimes we think that our stuff will be there, in the same condition as it was ... Read More

3 Simple Ways to Break Free From Life’s Busyness and Commotion

Just. Step. Away. A seemingly simple action that requires steadfast intention. We’re conditioned to be on – always. To actively participate in every conversation, to show up for all the events, to respond to each notification and to continually be in the know. This constant vigilance, however; is impractical, draining and, unchecked, can lead to a weariness that reaches the depths of your soul. Rest is your birthright. Woven into your existence since the beginning of time. As essential as the air you breathe. But a choice you must seek after and agree to. So how do you defy culturally embedded speed and hustle? Here are 3 simple ways to break free from life’s busyness and commotion: #1 // Create your own pace You never have to keep pace with anyone other than ... Read More

Do This When You Need to Shift Your Mindset

Changing your mindset is as easy as making the decision to do so…. Until it isn’t. There are times when you can shift your mindset cold turkey. But more often than not, we try to suppress or avoid certain thoughts and ideas. This approach not only slows down the process, but usually amplifies exactly what we’re trying to avoid. The good news is, you’re in control of your mind and your thoughts and you can use them to set yourself up for your best life. Each thought you allow to flow through your mind, changes the physical structure of your brain. This occurs because of neuroplasticity – your brains ability to restructure, positively or negatively, based on the thoughts and choices we make. Good, bad, positive, negative, stressed, calm, determined or defeated - your mind ... Read More

Practice Being Transformed

Visual evidence of change is more recognizable than what’s unseen. So let’s compare mental health to physical health for renewed perspective and greater understanding. When someone gains a significant amount of weight, it’s obvious. Their frame has changed shape and size. When someone has a clogged artery that’s blocking the flow of blood necessary to sustain life, you can dissect the artery and visually see the plaque buildup. When someone loses an extremity that was previously there, they have to relearn how to function, with or without a prosthetic, and navigating the world, at least initially, is a bit different. So let’s view the mental in a similar way. When someone is bogged down with ceaseless, uncontrolled thoughts, it adds invisible, yet real weight in their ... Read More

Stress is Your Number One Enemy

Stress has been romanticized in our culture. We’ve been told that it’s a necessary part of our existence and that stress is a motivator, helping us to accomplish our goals. We’ve heard this narrative for so long, that we’ve accepted it as a true story. But this isn’t true. Stress is pervasive, destructive and unlikely to ever offer you any benefit. We’re not wired to function at our best when we’re faced with stress. Our wonderfully made body’s don’t even take the time to delineate between what we’ve been taught to believe are good, motivating sources of stress and bad, negative sources of stress. Stress is stress is stress. Whether it’s a trickle or a roar, stress needs to be confronted and eliminated so you can live the life you’re designed for. Have heard of fight or ... Read More

Living in a Stressful World

One of the biggest challenges facing women today is stress. We have no shortage of things to do, places to go, people to connect with and stuff to post, but we spend most of our time focused on doing things well instead of focusing on being well. And our health is suffering because it. So many of the country's leading causes of death are fueled by chronic stress. It's frustrating. Especially because many of these problems are preventable. Our health and well-being are less about work and more about investing. And if you don’t understand your potential to thrive, you'll never develop a plan to help you reach a better outcome. It's why I've created Code Calm, a program designed to help women release stressful habits and reclaim their sanity and peace of mind. If ... Read More

Your 2018 Stress Less Checklist

A new beginning is upon us and we have a blank slate to write whatever story we choose. My story includes helping women like you experience less stress in your daily life. And I’ve created a checklist to help you get started. Stress is by far the biggest health challenge we faced in 2017. Fear, turmoil, chronic pain, disrupted sleep – the list goes on. But it doesn’t have to plague you in the future. Start with these simple steps to reclaim your sanity and maintain your calm in 2018. Download Now Tell me in the comments below how you plan to stress less in 2018. ... Read More

You’re as Sick as Your Secrets

Secrets are wounds you’ve covered with a bandage. You hope they’ll go away on there own, but they don’t. They wait there - open and aching, waiting for attention. The longer you try to hide them, the greater the pain, deeper the wound and wider the infection becomes. The sickness of those hidden secrets starts to move into other areas of your life causing aches and pains where there previously were no problems. Those secrets keep you locked away, never fully present in the moment, blocking your peace, clogging your joy and leaving you restless and uncomfortable. It’s time to stop hiding and start saying yes to your healing. In my upcoming program, I’ll teach you how releasing the guilt, shame and fear of those secrets will bring you closer to the life you’re longing ... Read More

  • Holding on to whatever needs to be released can cause more pain and havoc than was ever necessary. • Finding ways to let go, forgive, move on and work through are critical to your self-care. • I do this with words. It’s how I process and propel myself forward. It’s also how I inform and inspire others. • Your way will be unique to you. But you must find your way. Holding on will tear you apart, causing you to experience hurt, pain, defeat and struggle until you finally surrender control. • It’s time to seek ways to heal, thrive and live your best life. You’re worth it! • #wholeliving #wellnessblogger #womenshealthcoach #selfcarematters #selfcaretips #healingjourney #journalinspiration #holistichealing #stressrelease #stressreduction #healingwork #peacebestill #ancientwisdom #breathwork #prayer #mindfulliving #selfcarematters #findyourflow #mindbodyspirit #holisticliving #inspiringwomen #wholewoman #writersoninstagram #womenencouragingwomen #bgio #theslowdowncollective #meditating #thepractice #heartcentered #holisticlifestyle
  • The post read, “pain is not a lifestyle.” As I stopped to save the message, I thought about those who have surrendered to the pain, believing they can never have peace, comfort or a life free of it. • All pain - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. - is registered as stress and something to be pursued and eliminated from the body. • No matter what you’re going through, your body desires to be well, to protect you, to sustain you, to achieve homeostasis or internal balance. So if you only ever deal with issues superficially, never diving to the depth of the problem or truly seeking a solution, you’ll continue to hit the rocks, bumping into one challenge after another in life’s attempt to wound you greatly enough to force you to truly desire healing, restoration and wholeness. • You, my friend, are meant to thrive. To embody and exude greatness. To live without pain and suffering. • So start by letting the light in. Be willing to shift and heal the pieces so you can experience the peace you’re longing for. • #wholeliving #wellnessblogger #womenshealthcoach #selfcarematters #selfcaretips #healingjourney #journalinspiration #holistichealing #stressrelease #stressreduction #healingwork #peacebestill #ancientwisdom #breathwork #prayer #mindfulliving #selfcarematters #findyourflow #mindbodyspirit #holisticliving #inspiringwomen #wholewoman #writersoninstagram #womenencouragingwomen #bgio #theslowdowncollective #meditating #thepractice #heartcentered #holisticlifestyle
  • Illness breaks you open, exposing what’s in need of healing and indicating that something needs more love, attention, and nurturing. • As a nurse, I’ve watched far too many people suffer from a lack of awareness of, or ignoring, the need that’s longing to be met. • Missing the fundamental aspects of self-care can cost you greatly. And not knowing all of your healing, wellness, preventative and supportive options can have the same detrimental impact. • I’ve found that those who have an open heart and mind, are willing to try new things and learn to listen to their instincts, experience greater healing when they face an obstacle or they avoid them all together. • Your willingness to be healed and well, open up opportunities for you to experience your best life and to become the best version of yourself. • Don’t take your health and wellness for granted. Cultivate it, care for yourself and create the life you’re envisioning. • #selfcaresunday #selfcarematters #selfcareroutine #selfcaretips #selfcarefirst #selfcarecoach #selfcareforwomenofcolor #selfcareformoms #blackwomenhealing #bgio #happyblackwoman #blackmomcalm #wellnessblogger #womenshealthcoach #faithblogger #christiancreative #womenwholead #dreamersanddoers #encourageothers #healingjourney #holistichealing #healthyself #mindbodyspirit #healyourbody #eattolive #chinesemedicine #integrativemedicine #holisticwellness #wellwateredwomen #wholewoman
  • She woke up in the middle of the night. • WIDE awake. • And she never went back to sleep. • I’ve come to know that this comes with the territory of motherhood. But when you experience a collection of unexpected events, you can be left feeling quite stressed, drained, and unable to give appropriate attention to your responsibilities. • So what can be done about the inevitable unexpected events that come to challenge any plan or agenda you had in mind? • You can prepare for them. • When these types of things happen, because they will, it’s important that you speak up, ask for help, stating exactly what you need, utilizing your resources and abandoning any feelings of guilt or an occasional bout of superwoman syndrome. • No, your health, and sanity, are imperative. So whether you need to rest, heal or simply regroup, do it. You’ll present a better version of yourself to the world when you do. • #wholeliving #wellnessblogger #womenshealthcoach #selfcarematters #selfcaretips #healingjourney #journalinspiration #holistichealing #stressrelease #stressreduction #healingwork #peacebestill #ancientwisdom #breathwork #prayer #mindfulliving #selfcarematters #findyourflow #mindbodyspirit #holisticliving #inspiringwomen #wholewoman #writersoninstagram #womenencouragingwomen #bgio #theslowdowncollective #meditating #thepractice #heartcentered #holisticlifestyle
  • I said NO without explanation - standing confidently in my decision to no longer participate in the group. And guess what? We both survived. • Learning to unapologetically speak the word NO took some practice, but has become one of the greatest gifts. • Far too often we feel compelled to go above and beyond what’s expected; an unnecessary act which takes us off course and ignores our personal well-being. • You never have to justify your need for solitude, silence or self-care. You simply need to recognize your desire for it and act accordingly. • Recognize when you’ve had enough, are in need of rest, when it’s time to move on and when you’re the one who needs some attention. • Things will keep going when you step away, you’ll be stronger for slowing down and you’ll experience healing when you start showing up for yourself. • No is a powerful resource, so gently close the door on what you no longer need and begin moving towards what you do. • #findyourflow #mypractice #wholeliving #womenshealthcoach #mindbodyspirit #holisticliving #wellbeing #wholeness #wellness #healingjourney #inspiringwomen #wholewoman #writersoninstagram #ancientwisdom #faithblogger #womenencouragingwomen #theslowdowncollective #holyyoga #meditating #holisticmama #oilymama #peacebestill #thepractice #heartcentered #peacewithin #smallmomentsofcalm #selfcarematters #holisticlifestyle #stressrelease #healingwork
  • We laughed about not exposing too much cleavage. I was nursing our 4th baby and regardless of what work Mama was trying to accomplish, my breasts would tell me when she needed me. • Our bodies, breasts and babies are wise and when we tune in to listen to them, they tell us what’s needed. So in honor of #worldbreastfeedingweek here’s to simultaneously nursing our babies and achieving our goals. • #normalizebreastfeeding #breastfeedingisnormal #supportbreastfeeding #breastfeedingmama #breastfeedwithoutfear #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingisbeautiful #wholeliving #holisticliving #holisticmom #ancientwisdom #blackmomsbreastfeed #MomsInColor #BlackBreastfeedingWeek #nationalbreastfeedingweek #raisingconsciousness
  • Spending each day with 4 young children means that some moments are a blur. Even while practicing mindfulness and intentionally being present with them, their needs can outpace my ability to retain it all. • I’ve learned to give myself grace and compassion, especially for the blurry moments. My work and time with them is invaluable. And when the house becomes still and I pause to think about all there is to be thankful for, I’m overwhelmed by the beauty and precious moments in my life that far outnumber the blurred ones. • I hope you can pause and give thanks for the blessings in your life. Focusing your attention there, on the good stuff, will nourish your mind and emotions, helping you vibrate higher and approach each day with a grateful heart. • #findyourflow #mypractice #wholeliving #womenshealthcoach #mindbodyspirit #holisticliving #wellbeing #wholeness #wellness #womenwithambition #inspiringwomen #wholewoman #writersoninstagram #christianwomeninbusiness #faithblogger #womenlivingwell #womenencouragingwomen #theslowdowncollective #holyyoga #holisticmom #holisticmama #oilymama #naturalmom #healthybabies #thepractice #heartcentered #peacewithin #smallmomentsofcalm #dreamersanddoers #holisticlifestyle
  • The second baby arrived and everything changed. This new bundle of joy wasn’t as willing to go with the flow as the first. So everything I thought I knew about parenting went out the window. • As I attempted to learn this new way of being as the mother of two babies who was also trying to start a business, I allowed some of my core wellness practices to slip away. • I was directing my time and attention to my little ones and new beginnings and neglecting my own self-care in the process. • Practicing self-care ensures that you take the time necessary to learn what’s best for you and your well-being. Self-care strengthens your ability to make choices that are right for you, helps you learn to trust your body and gives you the confidence to no longer rely on anyone else to make life and wellness decisions for you. • When you believe in yourself and your God given abilities, you stop second guessing your choices and start embodying exactly who you’re designed to be. • Self-care is a practice that challenges you to be present, to tap into your intuition and to follow your instincts no matter what else is going on in the world around you. • And when you let your self-care guard down, for any amount of time, you risk not showing up well for anything. • Thankfully, I recognized that I was off my desired path, got back on track and now prioritize my own self-care and wellness before trying to offer a less than well version of myself to my work or children. • It’s a standard that I must honor and maintain because no one else can or will. • I now have the honor of helping other women create and cultivate their own self-care path, as I share pieces of my journey to propel you forward on yours. • #selfcarematters #selfcaresunday #selfcaretips #selfcareroutine #selfcarecoach #selfcarefirst #selfcareeveryday #selfcareisntselfish #selfcareissacred #selfcareformoms #blackgirlinom #wellnessblogger #womenshealthcoach #stressrelease #healingwork #ancientwisdom #holisticwellbeing

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