I'm So Grateful

My son in law, Brad had a way of "hitting the nail on the head" in a way that sticks. He had a keen intellect and intuition about people.

One of his gifts to me, was after Dana's cancer diagnosis, treatment and recurrence, he agreed to participate in our first family retreat. No cell phones, no computers, no distractions, no alcohol, caffeine or sugar; solidarity to healthy food and a chance for family bonding.

Doug, Lisa, Thomas, Margo, Stephanie, Travis, Dana & Brad- June 2012

To put icing on the cake, I asked him to participate in Let Your Yoga Dance...in public...with his Father-in-Law, future Brother-in-Law and another macho man. This was way outside of his comfort zone. I was nervous too. Teaching and sharing what you love to family, friends and colleagues is a very vulnerable act. It often begs for ridicule and sarcasm as we all stretch outside our area of comfort with each other.

But he did it! Then he paid me the highest compliment that has stuck with me. After some contemplation he said with authority,

"Makes sense...a natural fit for you."

Here's to finding your passion and "natural fit." May life flow with ease, grace and gratitude. Brad, I'm dedicating this dance to you, "I'm So Grateful"

Bradford Frost, I'm so grateful to have known and loved you. You left us far too soon, but not without making a big mark on so many people's hearts and minds. My son in law passed on last Sunday, in his home as he wished, with my daughter and loving family by his side. One of his motto's was, "Choose Love."

We had a celebration of his life in Detroit last Saturday, starting at the Detroit Institute of Art where he was instrumental in renovating their beautiful public space to build community, It's also where he authored his book, Reveal Your Detroit

Bradford Frost June 4, 1981-January 22, 2017

Venue Change for Saturday January 22nd Concert

I'm very sorry to say that I will not be able to host this weekend's house concert. However, the Unity Church of Peace in Clifton, Va will host Matt Venuti from 5:00 pm -6:00 pm,
13900 Stonefield Drive, Clifton, Va. Doors open at 4:30pm

I am at my daughter and son in law's home in Detroit. It is with great sadness that after exhausting surgery, radiation and immunotherapy, Brad has now entered into Hospice care. Dana and Brad have been flooded with family and friends in love and prayer.

My grandson and I are feeling some comfort from Matt Venuti's powerful and beautiful music and lyrics such as:

"Open your hearts", "Rise to the mystery", "love will carry you home", "everything will be alright" and

"We are all in this together."  "A Place to Breathe" is another favorite important reminder for me. This music will be part of my new yoga dance repertoire. 

May we recognize how indeed "We are all in this together in The Rhythm of Life" and have a peaceful and purposeful weekend.

With Love & Gratitude.

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and coach with a mission to inspire others to feel and look their best at any age. \

 Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational. 

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.

Special Invitation for Sunday January 22nd 2017

Next Sunday, January 22nd we are hosting a house concert in our new studio space. Come enjoy fabulous music, nourishing food, and celebrate what unites us. Matt Venuti is a very talented artist from California who will captivate us with different instruments, including the Hang from Berne, Switzerland. You can hear a sample from his 2013 TEDx appearance. Doug and I are honored to host him.

Come relax and get in the flow by sampling his new CD Rhythm of Life.

This is my way to say thank you for being part of my wellness community.

Lite Fair Buffet served at 6pm. Concert at 7pm
Please RSVP if you would like to come.
Contact ljackson@carpediemwellness.org or
703-421-7125 Space is limited.
Suggested donation is $25.00

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and coach with a mission to inspire others to feel and look their best at any age. 

She is also the Executive Director of the Integrative Wellness Program for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational. 

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.

My Personal Goal

Last week I shared Simple Strategies for a Successful 2017. This week let me share with you the results of my personal thoughts from working through this process.

My mission is to inspire wellness. My goal is to create a sustainable business doing what I love. I want to feel more peaceful and have more fun in 2017. I want to feel calm, centered, energized and joyful. 

In 2016 I finished two more certification programs; one in functional diagnostic nutrition and my fourth (and 500-hour) yoga certification. I past my first year exam for applied functional medicine for coaching certification, and more importantly, uncovered some of my own hidden stressors that have kept me stuck. We also built an amazing yoga dance studio in our basement and thanks to my husband, added an infrared sauna.  

I built this space for me, to develop my own practice and for my own self-healing. Like many, I find it challenging to prioritize myself and to develop the discipline for a self practice. (They say, "We teach that which we need to learn")... Amen! I also believe that it takes a village and community support is vital for me. 

To meet the goal of creating a sustainable business doing what I love, here are my specific actions for this quarter based on my personal needs and desires:

1. Start by teaching one yoga dance class per week. 

2. Offer my online Kick-Start to Wellness Program.

3 Offer a VIP Day or Wellness Workshop to share strategies for optimal health.
4. Accept a couple more private clients. 

It takes a village and I'm hoping you can give me some help (and maybe help me to help others too). I plan to send out a very short survey and hoping you will spend a few minutes giving me feedback. If so, thank you in advance for helping me!

I wish you a calm, centered, energized and joyful 2017!

With Love and Gratitude,

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and coach with a mission to inspire others to feel and look their best at any age. 

She is also the Executive Director of the Integrative Wellness Program for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational. 

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.

Simple Strategies for a Successful 2017

First, Believe that you can attain your goals. As a coach, my #1 goal is to inspire you and educate you so that you too, can believe that you have the innate ability to heal from within. To insure successful completion of goals, make them measure-able and realistic. Small, simple goals, well executed, spells success.

Here's my new magnet for my refrigerator:

Understand your why. For most, this comes down to how do you want to feel. As a colleague of mine in the New Self Health Movement Mari Hill, says, "It's not your job to know the how. In other words, take some time to dream big and then open yourself up to new thinking and new possibilities. It's our negative thinking that keeps us stuck in old behaviors and old patterns.
Simply put,

"If you do what you did, you get what you got."

So this year, take the first step in my seven-step program. Take an honest personal assessment. Ask yourself the following:

"What is your biggest challenge or goal? What have your tried in the past that worked? What didn't work? What are you willing to do to overcome this challenge? How will you feel when you've accomplished this goal?"

Take some time to think about how you want to feel this year. Do you want to feel more energized, peaceful or joyful? Do you want more ease, more fun? What small steps do you need to take to get there? 

Take time to reflect on what you accomplished in 2016. Even if it's merely surviving, pat yourself on the back for that. What worked well for you and what is keeping you stuck?

Now for the fun and creative part. Work with someone to co-create a plan so that you cannot fail. Get a coach or an accountability partner. Consider functional diagnostic testing, my online Kick-Start program, individual coaching or a yoga or yoga dance class. Email me if you would like to schedule a brief call to see if we are a good fit for each other.

Next blogpost, I'll share with you one of my 2017 goals.

Happy New Year!

Lisa

About Lisa Jackson, RN, CHC, RYT-500, FDN

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker and coach with a mission to inspire others to feel and look their best at any age. 

She is also the Executive Director of the Integrative Wellness Program for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Lisa's book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think and Thrive outlines her seven step process towards optimal health that is fun and transformational. 

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance.