Clarity

This morning I sit in clarity.  This is the power of yoga and meditation. Today, I’m preparing for my clients.  I love my client’s; they inspire me to keep doing what I do.  I have some clients with scary diagnoses; a couple of clients with more than ten diagnoses. Successful, well-educated individuals whose “job” now is spent going to doctors.  I have other clients who simply want to lose a few pounds or want support to rediscover lost passions, purpose and direction.

This morning, I’m reviewing complex organic acid and hormone testing. I’m putting together the unique puzzle for my individual clients. I’m looking at urinary bi-products to ascertain missing nutrients, biological markers of toxicity, neurotransmitter insufficiencies, gut dysbiosis, and oxidative stress markers. In doing so, a simple solution emerges. One that is essential for all of us, no matter our goals. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the complexity that we forget the power of simple solutions.

Yes, reviewing testing to find root cause is extremely powerful. It gives us concrete action items to develop a personalized plan towards rebuilding health.  This is the power and essence of functional medicine testing. It enables one to look below the surface signs and symptoms so often simply palliated with medications.

Equally important is to understand what is needed to follow through to execute the plan. To uncover and address the common roadblocks that gets in the way. This is the power and essence of coaching.

What is the medicine that we all need the most? A Mother’s medicine. Your job, no matter the dis-ease, is to unconditionally love yourself. To nourish, nurture and love your God given body. For most, this is a new skill.  If you did not have a stellar role model, you may wish for guidance and support.

It’s true, love heals. A heart in love is physiologically different than a heart filled with worry, pain or fear. Different chemicals are emitted, sending different messages to cells and organs affecting function. Send love to your body every day and the body will heal.  A hug and a teddy bear are as strong as any synthetic medication, without the side effects!

This holiday season, what loving messages can you send to yourself daily? This does not mean to feed addictions or addictive behavior. As your virtual coach, I’d like to challenge you to find new ways to feel good. If sweet sugary substances are your addiction, what else can you give yourself that feels sweet and yummy to you? Is it a walk, holding hands with a loved one? Is it touch? (sometimes needed without the drama or baggage of sexual performance.)

This means cultivating self-compassion. It requires listening to your unique body. It means consciously choosing gratitude over fear and the automatic negative beliefs that pop up in your head. Maybe it’s sitting in silence with a pet on your lap. Or perhaps writing a heartfelt, overdue letter to an estranged family member or friend. What can you do to heal and nourish your soul as well as your body?

For me it’s a daily yoga practice; sometimes practiced alone, sometimes in a class. My practice includes breath work, physical movement to music, and meditation. This keeps me grounded and in my body.  It allows time and space to feel areas of my body that are stuck. It clears my mind and makes me appreciate the simple solutions.

Carpe Diem and Happy Holidays. I am eternally grateful to you.

Lisa

About Lisa

Lisa is a retired Registered Nurse, yoga teacher, author, inspirational speaker, and a functional medicine 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 system 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.

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

Gratitude

Oh the importance of Gratitude!

We have so much. We live in a beautiful home, in a beautiful area. Beauty is all around. So much brings me gratitude; family, friends, relationships, clients and patients, and continual opportunities for growth.  I’m grateful for life and my soon to be newborn Grandson.

But what about the times we don’t feel grateful? How do we “get gratitude?”

I’m reminded of the time my ex-husband hit my Achilles heel. He violated my trust and risked hurting my children in a way that I couldn’t comprehend, and created a rage I’d never acknowledged before.  It totally knocked me to my knees.

His solution? After going to 3 therapists, yours, mine and ours, was to “practice gratitude”. In other words, just be happy with what we had. Accept the status quo.  This can be difficult when the status quo is unacceptable. Like high blood pressure, like a cancer diagnosis.

This week I watched the movie Inside Out with my now husband and soul mate. It’s a brilliant piece by Disney on the importance and role of emotions; all emotions, including fear, anger, sadness and joy.

We must feel, acknowledge, and respect all our emotions. My fear and anger fueled me to make the changes I needed to make to live the life I am now living. It enabled me to change careers. My rage pushed me to succeed in a male dominated industry. It gave me the drive to financially support my family. It enabled us to buy our home in Great Falls.

Working through fear, anger and sadness has transformed me to the new me, with joyful loving relationships. Acknowledging my feelings and the feelings of those in my life has created deeper more meaningful relationships. Practicing gratitude is more than just ignoring negative emotions. Funny how my blood pressure suddenly returned to normal when I made healthy emotional changes. Acknowledging and respecting the emotions that inhibit our immune system and fuel chronic illness heals.

Our greatest challenges transform us; like a piece of coal turning to a diamond, or a piece of sand into a pearl. For this, I am eternally grateful.

What is the first step to transformational healing? Take an honest personal assessment. What message is your body giving you? Is it to slow down and rest and digest? Is it to look at toxins in your physical, mental and emotional environment? What small change is necessary to find inner peace? Can you find peace and gratitude in the journey?

This month, as we were discussing fear, one of our patients in our nutrition support group said that her cancer diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to her. It taught her to slow down, to take time to prioritize herself and to relish each day she is here. In our group, she is learning new things, making new friends and finding joy. This is practicing gratitude.

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. You enrich my life and for you I am ever so grateful.

PS

Today, I made raw cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for group. Visit my website to download these and other holiday dessert recipes. www.carpediemwellness.org