Nature Calls

Where Is It Calling You To?

I know for me getting outside into the natural has been calling to me more than ever lately! It is like a reset and refresh all in one for my whole being. To just focus on where you two feet are taking you while enjoying the natural surroundings!

Are you into nature or not so much?

I realize nature is for some and not others! I will say I am not the biggest fan of some of the creepy crawlers. I do enjoy the fauna and flora as well as the wildlife and birdlife (from a distance of course). Thank goodness for binoculars and telephoto lenses! 

What truly speaks and calls to you?

I think about communication and involvement!

Peaking your curiosity and wanting to learn more. Inspiration and motivation. Creativity. To see and to do and to be.

I think about connection and engagement!

That mind and body connection. Engaging all of your senses. Joy and happiness and playfulness. Adventuring and exploring.

I think about change and growth!

Living life to the fullest. Motion and movement, especially forward. Wandering and wondering. Experiencing and expanding.

A part of what may inspire and what speaks to you is making the time to reflect on where you are in your life! What drives you. What are you passionate about. The possibilities and opportunities are endless! 

Who inspires you? 

I have fond memories of going on family camping trips. Then bringing that sense of adventure as an adult and finding that partner to share in the fun. Then you have family and friends that have traveled to places that inspires you to travel there too.

I think about Teddy Roosevelt, Ansel Adams, John Muir, Georgia O’Keeffe and the pioneering adventures they went on, documented and preserved for many generations to come.

I reflect on the books I have read about nature and the great outdoors. Like Bill Bryson A Walk in the Woods and Cheryl Strayed Wild. Nothing more exciting than breaking out a map, cracking open a travel guide, etc. Love getting lost in the history too.

Here is a GREAT Question. What feels like home to you?

I think about being home as well as escaping to explore, adventure and experience. Is it home or traveling or getting outside into the natural and great outdoors. Is it the place and/or a feeling of comfort, coziness and solitude. Where do you want to go and just BE?

Do you feel like home is rooted or follows you along your adventures? I know for me home is within me and being with my greatest someone. I think about Roots and Wings. What keeps you grounded as well as what drives you! 

That calling to seek and explore! That pursuit of having someone/something to look forward to that makes you excited and motivated. That purpose of moving forward. That life of experiencing, living to the fullest and being the best version of YOU!

From traveling to staycationing to day tripping to arm chair traveling! The opportunities and possibilities. The dreams and the choices. It is SO UP TO YOU!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Make it your own experience in where you have been, where you are are going and most of all the journey along the way. Love to Hear Your Thoughts, Please Share.

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Alignment

Brings Enlightenment!

That Mind Body Connection!

It is very much about the mind body connection! It took me some time to figure out that connection for my whole, well being. The mind and body as well as your heart and spirit should be connected as one!

I had an aha! moment recently in my practice! That when I am practicing I am tuning into my whole being. I am grounding my feet, engaging my core, aligning my whole body from head to toe, etc. I am learning more about myself too. Again everything is connected! 

I have learned throughout my health and wellness practice that I truly needed to shift my mindset to find alignment and bring enlightenment to my whole, well being!

Practicing to Let Go . . .

• How you respond/react to yourself as well as other people?
• How you think and/or feel versus just responding/reacting?
• How you tune into expansion versus contraction?

Think about the emotional connection you have with yourself. Think about your overall energy and how that affects pretty much everything you do. Think about how we feel about others and how others make us feel about ourselves.

I have been learning how to tune into my senses and spiritual side more to help reduce stress, anxiety and tension. I have found it is going within myself to become more aware and mindful. That awareness can be so opening and freeing!

How do you just let it go or at least let it be and maybe continue moving on! 

Next time you feel stressed stand up and stand tall! Find your confident self. It will boost your mood, mind and your energies!

Practicing to Flow . . .

Think about shifting and balancing! Pausing to FULLY breathe (i.e. inhale/exhale), stretch, think, etc. When you are able to shift you feel more open, balanced and relaxed. Expansion allows for flow, good energies and maybe some much needed ease!

Think of change and transition as a reevaluation!

• Positives vs. the negatives.
• Strengths vs. the weaknesses.
• Gifts vs. the limitations.

Think of it as reframing yourself with every moment, experience, etc!

• Being open to opportunities.
• Trying and practicing and trying some more.
• Learning more about yourself and how you tick and what your traits and tendencies are.

I am discovering through my practice it has helped me change and transition as well as experience expansion and growth!

Practicing to Be . . .

Do you take the time to silence the not so good?

Or

Do you distract yourself from handling and dealing with it? Especially the not so good feelings we tell and talk to ourselves about.

Think about accepting all sides of yourself for a healthier relationship with yourself! Self love and self compassion. Self acceptance and being true to who you are. We are all multi-faceted and continuing to experience growth and life through our experiences!

In tuning into this you can work on the energies you put forth and putting your energies toward the good! I strongly believe that. I think it is human nature to have that need to change other people. However, in dealing with your own emotions and energies in time and with practice that change will come from within you!

Really tapping into your senses, gut, heart and mind! Again everything is connected!

(Photos by RSheridan)

What Are You Practicing to Find Alignment and Bring Enlightenment to Your Whole, Well Being! Love to Hear, Please Share!

Practicing Activity

One Step At A Time . . .

Here’s a challenge for you.

Do the thing you are most likely to procrastinate on and maybe place it in the first position to tackle for the day!

Especially if that thing is something you have put off and keep putting off! At times you feel so much better after tackling it. You may even feel a little lighter and freer too!

Another fun way to practice activity is doing something that you have been wanting to do! Make time to act on it and just do it. Make it a bi-weekly or monthly intention too!

• Experiment and explore.
• Wonder and wander.
• Learn and grow.
• Create and color outside the lines.
• Inspire and engage.
• Movement and involvement.
• Motivation and energy.

(Photos by RSheridan)

Love to Hear What You Have Been Up To, Please Share!!!

Comfort

Not Talked About Enough!

Do you ever crave comfort? I really hope you do!

I am not sure if comfort helps simplify or simplifying creates comfort!

• How does comfort help you simplify?

For me simplicity can create clarity as well as connect me to my creative being too! There are times you need to clear your mind. There are times you need to clean and organize your being and the environment you live in. Think about how you can simplify throughout your day!

Bring more simplicity into each and every day! Think about what you want to create in your life and let it in!

• How does comfort affect your whole, well being?
• How does comfort connect you to your self, soul and spirit?

What do you do for yourself for self comfort? Knowing what brings you comfort is key to releasing and relaxing as well as recharging and restoring your whole being. What do you do for yourself to fill up the tank? From energizing to balancing to motivating to calming. Remember to really tap into that when you need it most!

• How is your comfort sacred to you and your well being?

You have the choice in how you practice for you and your whole well being when it comes to supporting your health and wellness. You make the decision in what matters the most to you as well as your whole well being.

Remember to create that space for yourself! To honor yourself. To live with intention, meaning and purpose. To make time for your practice. That matters and is sacred to each and everyone of us too! 

• How does comfort provide self encouragement and self empowerment?

Do you want to drive or be driven when it comes to living life! Connecting to your heart and soul. Tuning into your intuition and instincts. Growing into the person you want to be. Being true to yourself!

How do you become one with yourself! I open up my posture, stand tall, feel my toes to my fingers and just deep breathe. It helps you envision and evoke your physical presence and your inner power. Think of yourself rooted from the ground on up!

• How do you create the time and the space you need?

Living can be fast and busy. Pause and breathe. Living can be complicated and messy. Take a break to relax and rest.

Say What???

Relax Dude!

Being aware and making the time to be in the here and now! Knowing where you are and being in that moment. Experiencing, expanding, and growing! 

• Ignite your curiosity and spark your interests.
• Discover your purpose in what drives you and your passions in what motivates you.
• Try new things and continue to learn.
• Give yourself more of what you love, especially joy and happiness!

(Photos by RSheridan)

 Here’s to Craving Comfort, Adventuring and Experiencing and Creating Your Own Life Story! Love to Hear From You, Please Share.

My #1 Wellness Practice

Be Kind & Gentle to You & Your Whole Being

I have learned throughout my health and wellness practice that I truly needed to shift my mindset! The “Golden Rule”. “Treat others how you want to be treated.” You really need to take care of you before you can take care of others!

Are you truly doing it for you too?

That is a big question to ask yourself that really matters! Know your “why(s)”. When you tune into doing as an act of self love you are tapping into your desires and passions. That you deserve this and remove that doubt, self-limiting beliefs, guilt, etc. You make that commitment to yourself and make yourself accountable too!

You truly have the ability to achieve your “why(s)”! When you are able to relax your whole being you help yourself connect to your whole being better. You communicate to fully connect and engage. That level of communication and that deep connection you have with yourself helps you get back to the basics in what you need and achieving your whys! 

That relaxed state also helps you slow down and maybe even get some good rest too! When relaxed you are more mindful and present. You take yourself out of stress as well as survival mode. Just taking time to pause and just breathe and clear the mind is a big assist to your whole well being!

I am finally out of that mindset that I need to spend hours getting my fitness on! Long as well as extreme workouts were not sustainable for me. I burnt out and had minor repetitive injuries that were becoming chronic. Start small and little by little it will add up!

I have been giving myself more grace, patience and compassion lately! For instance there are times I want to get up and get a workout in on the weekends. Then there are times where I want to sleep in, take my time and get in a later workout. Balance matters!

Another big mind blower is TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE! Your wellness practice needs to motivate and drive you. Not bore you and become a chore. Think outside the box and try new things!

It is good to set goals, however; be careful in setting rules and restrictions as well as limitations and high expectations! Basically do not be too hard on yourself. Learn mindfulness and being more present. Learn forgiveness and acceptance. Learn to tune and tap into your whole being and what it needs! 

The best reward is seeing and feeling how you want to see yourself and how it makes you feel! That positivity and happiness. That excitement and motivation. That drive and passion. Only you know how that looks and feels!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Love to Hear About Your Wellness Practice, Please Share.

Bookending

Adding It To My Practice

I had that aha! moment! I get wrapped up in the needs throughout my work day that I forget to do for myself. I need to make time to nourish and nurture my whole well being!

I have recently added bookending to my daily practice. Basically for me it means taking 15-to-30 minutes for me, myself and I at the beginning as well as the end of my day. I can set an actionable plan for the day and then put a close to it at the end of my day. I usually end my day with a good book in my hands!

Bookending helps you focus by giving you clarity throughout the day! You may learn how to better develop your concentration. You may feel more productive and less stressed out. You may feel that you communicate and engage at a higher level. You may feel that you are paying attention more to what is good for you!

I try to have a pen and pad of paper at hand! 

• To write out a to do list.
• To write down some reflections and maybe even frustrations.
• To write down distractions and interruptions to remain focused on the task at hand.

It clears your mind and just gets rid of the clutter, noise, etc.! 

Do you catch yourself ruminating? Then write it out to get it out of your head!

• It can help create calm to settle things down.
• It can help create balance to smooth things out.
• It can help you use your time and energies more efficiently and effectively.

Talk about a freeing experience! 

Remember to break up your day too!

• Focus on the here and now.
• Go for a walk, take a lunch break, etc.
• Connect with others.
• Get mindful and present.
• Pausing, closing your eyes and just breathing.

Think about your sanctuary place and go there either visually or physically! 

• Your greatest someones.
• Where you heart is.
• A place of nourishment for you and your whole well being.
• Your favorite place.

Really tune into what you bring into that space! What is speaking to you. Truly put yourself on silent mode and relax!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Remember to Recharge and Reset Throughout Your Day. Love to Hear What You Do, Please Share.

Get Out of Your Head

Get Creative

What creative things do you do to get out of your head?

My top two creatives are photography and writing. I also like to get my exercise on, especially in nature.

Sometimes we become one-dimensional! We many even start associating ourselves to one identity (i.e. work, parent, student, etc.). That is okay, however; most of us are more than one identity in the lives we live each and every day. Whatever you call it you may be in a bit of a rut!

Time to shift and re-engage! Carve out some “me” time and do something creative, playful and fun for a change of pace. It gets you out of your thinking head space too!

It is sometimes the simplest and smallest things that can get you out of your own head too! 

(Photos by RSheridan)

Carve Out Time to Get Your Creative On! Love to Hear What You Do, Please Share.

Take 30

For Your Whole, Well Being

Are you up for a reward? How about taking 30-minutes for yourself. How would you use those thirty minutes? Remember at times you may have to break it up into increments throughout the day to get your thirty minutes in.

• Spending time with your greatest someones.
• R&R.
• Health, Wellness, Exercise.
• Getting creative.
• Goal setting.
• Planning and scheduling.

Your needs will change from day to day, week to week and month to month! What are you truly needing? What would have the biggest impact for you? Just go with the one that speaks the loudest to you!

What is truly beneficial to your whole, well being! Remember to value yourself and your needs. Remember to make yourself and your whole, well being a priority. Ask yourself what you are needing and know your whys in meeting those needs and making a desired impact for yourself and your whole, well being!

Some favorites of mine.

• Carving out time to cook, entertain and gather round with my greatest someones.
• Making date night a priority a few times a month.
• Connecting and catching up with my greatest someones.
• Trying new things and meeting new people. Being part of a community.
• Doing nothing and just enjoying and soaking in the day.

I use to wish for more time and still do! However, I am learning how to use my time and energies more efficiently and effectively. Stop wasting it and start using it proactively and productively!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Love to Hear How You Take 30, Please Share!

Tuning Into Your

Inner Well Being

As of November 2017 I have been in my new exercise practice for two years. I think I finally get it. Connecting and engaging mind and body as one being!

Also, find and do what brings you joy and happiness when it comes to health, wellness and fitness! Why continue doing something that feels like a chore and that you really loathe. Bring playfulness and fun to it!

I do a self check in how I am feeling before exercising now. Am I tired and in need of a second wind or a slow down. Is my mind racing and my body ready to go. What am I in need of (i.e. relaxing, cardio, etc.).

You truly honor yourself and your whole being! You honor what matters most to you too!

I try to be fully involved when exercising now. I no longer try to zone out and instead focus in on what I am doing. Movement and posture. Breathing and positioning. Going at my pace level. It makes a difference in really feeling like I got a great workout in!

Think of it as exercising with an intention or purpose! It helps you to self motivate and self drive yourself. It helps you manage your energies and tap into your power. It helps you turn off autopilot and shift into manual mode. You truly are practicing more aware and towards that purpose that matters the most to you and your whole, well being!

I enjoy going to a studio that offers multiple exercise programs. It gives me options as well as variety. Plus I get in the warm up and cool down my body needs as well as a proper stretch during my workout. I have the ability to communicate and engage as well as interact and connect mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually!

That makes the whole being feel GOOD! 

As you practice you start being more aware of what is going on for you and in doing so you keep that conversation with your whole being going! You are present. You are mindful. You are experiencing!

The biggest lesson of my practice is breath work. It is amazing how you can connect to your whole being through proper breathing. It is grounding too. You will find yourself focusing on your breathe in other areas of your life, especially to release and clear the mind! 

• How does your breathe feel?
• Are you breathing through your nose or your mouth?
• Is your chest or belly rising and falling?

Through practice you learn your natural rhythm!

Another major lesson is to make your practice your own!

• Make yourself comfortable to connect and engage your whole being (mind and body).
• Discover your whole being from the inside out. Awareness, mindfulness, presence, etc.
• Think about what your whole being can do for you and have gratitude for that.
• Think about the satisfaction and reward you are giving yourself and your whole being.
• Think about the empowerment and energies you are giving yourself and your whole being.

(Photos by RSheridan)

Here’s to Honoring YOU and YOUR WHOLE BEING’s Needs! Love To Hear What You are Doing for YOU, Please Share.

Coinkydink

Happenstance

Do you tune into coincidences? I like to think of them as signs or directions to support me on my path while I journey along. A call to pay attention, focus and redirect. Here is your sign!

Some times I am pretty attentive and other times I need the sign to jump out at me! 

Do you try to make sense of them? Learning from them or even trusting them. Communicating and responding. Connecting and engaging. Creating that space for yourself to go within yourself!

Are you experiencing or reacting? If you are reacting you may need to adjust and may even come to the realization it is no longer serving you in a good way. Becoming aware of what works best for you matters to you and your whole, well being. You start to open yourself up to experience and may even grow and change for the better!

Are you creating the space you need? The space where you do not feel stuck and if you do knowing how to get unstuck. The space where you can handle a fork in the road. The space to continue moving forward and when it is time to simple let go. Especially in knowing what is serving you and what is not!

Are you making time to just get lost? Get curious and explore. Daydream and ponder. Wander and wonder. Maybe even allow your intuition and inner desires to guide and direct you! 

Being able to shift your reality! Practicing and trying the NEW! Learning to embrace change. Growing and experiencing. Creating openness to the limitless possibilities and endless opportunities!

Making the time to become one with your whole being! Your emotions, thoughts and feelings. The mental and emotional as well as the physical and spiritual. Your beliefs and values. Creating your reality by aligning your “whys” in what you need and what you want in living your life!

Really think about reconnecting to the inner you to tune into your intuition! Your beliefs and values. Your ability to change and adapt. Your desires and passions. Your ability to be flexible and have humility. Get to know who you are!

Really listen to yourself and your truth! It is very much a practice of one’s balance and alignment. It creates motion and movement. Embrace in your life experiences and engage in your growth!

• To trust yourself.
• To treat yourself how you want to be treated.

Do you think about creating that vacation mode at home? Taking one day to do what you want even if it is doing nothing. Breaking up the routine with NO alarms, schedules and plans. At least making time to take 30-minutes for your whole, well being!

I think about window shopping!

1. Choose an area to explore.
2. Turn off your phone and tap into your natural surroundings.
3. Stop when you want to.
4. Maybe step in to check something out that calls to you.
5. Smile and laugh.
6. Play and have fun.
7. Break the routine, have nothing planned and just get out to experience!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Here’s to YOU! Love to Hear What You Are Up To, Please Share.