The Green Door Life

Apparently, I'm doing quite a bit of reflecting on past people and events that were pivotal in my life, like my third grade teacher, Mr. Leverich.

Besides being the coolest surrogate grandfather ever - one who would launch rockets at lunchtime and magically "predict" the weather - Mr. Leverich was the first person who taught me about the power of my thoughts, beliefs, and perspective.

He taped this quote to each student's desk, which of course my little Virgo brain absorbed and diligently read every single morning:

"Great! I'll just control my thoughts," I thought.

Wrong.

I realized later in life that you can say all the fluffy positive affirmations you want, but until you believe them at the subconscious level of your body, you'll feel a dis-resonance anytime you say them or write them.

This is why positive...

My first official "run" besides running around wildly as a little kid was in 6th grade when we had to run one mile in P.E. to complete the Presidential fitness test. (Mark, remember that thing?) I stopped and started at least 10 times. My lungs burned. My legs ached.

Running nonstop for a mile seemed inhumane to me. I have always been a sprinter. My genetically pre-disposed quads (and the quads of my entire family on both sides) will agree.

Then, in 8th grade, my super athletic, competitive Aunt convinced me to sign up for the  school's annual Turkey Trot with my super athletic, competitive, athlete extraordinaire cousin.

This one mile (or two mile? Maaaaaybe three mile?) race will go down as one of the most humiliating experiences of my life.

Spoiler alert: I came in last place.

There was one other girl who was near the end of the pack with me. She started and stopped over and over. She would sprint past...

It's easy to let self-care slip during stressful times.

But if we've learned anything these past two years, it's that de-prioritizing our physical, mental, and spiritual health during times of great upheaval and stress is counterproductive.

If we truly want to be the change we want to see in the world, we cannot help much from a place of chaos and fear. 

The solution does not exist in the same environment that created the problem.

How can we move into creativity, peace, and problem-solving if we're paralyzed with fear and dread?

We say... while we can't necessarily be on the ground or at the front lines helping every single cause that we're passionate about around the world, we can identify that which is under our immediate control... and it starts within. 

We say... now is the time to double down on your self-care and soul-care like never before.

You will be of so much better service to those around you,...