Self-care is self-love.

Greetings lovely human,

Self-care is self-love.  How’ve you been caring for yourself lately? Sometimes it’s extra easy and some days we need extra…but it’s rarely ever the same!

For me, it’s been extra…as in extra love required. My own personal practice has taken me to the depths of addressing old suffering stored in my energetic and physical bodies. After injuries from 22 years and 4 years ago, respectively, my left shoulder and left side neck are *finally* ready to be tended to in new ways. 

Flexible self-care is self-love.

Can you believe these particular body parts previously ’shouted', “NO!" to therapeutics like acupuncture, reiki and craniosacral therapy? You betcha, I visited PTs and chiropractors that wrenched on the left side (I say lovingly) but the subtler bodyworkers followed a quieter wisdom - sensing and respecting the boundary of "no, not yet.” 

Honestly, I’ve been feeling pretty well and since November, I’ve been listening to my body’s readiness to address the old stuff and integrate it. I’ve noticed how these old injuries were quite literally congesting my heart, inhibiting lymph waste flow, limiting vitality, and causing familiar but increasingly 'louder’ discomforts. “Why?” I wondered. “What’s shifting?" I inquired. "I’m ready.” I prayed. 🙏 

And then…a subtle shift quaked to unearth an even subtler whisper. Spoiler alert: it’s deep and uncomfortable AF. 

Thankfully, I believe:

  • We can do anything with the right supports. 

  • I trust in the wisdom that I hear/feel/sense when I get quiet and connected.

  • Qualities I dislike in others are disavowed parts of myself. 

  • Both clean pain and dirty pain exist in our world.

  • I trust that freedom is ALWAYS on the other side of clean pain. 

  • Self-care is designed to be flexible, somewhat structured and yet, fluctuate like the seasons. 

Recently self-love, er, self-care has included energy-centric movement like tai chi, thai yoga, craniosacral, acupuncture and other modalities that I’m readying to speak about publicly.  I feel immense gratitude for the seasons, the resources and for the other guides. 🙏

Regardless of personal journey, I believe we’ve taken birth to experience love - to see ourself, to see the other and to appreciate the equanimity that exists in the shadows. No bad parts! 

Holistic self-care is whole-self love. Please accept this personal invitation to love embodied in a whole new way 💗 Ready to create some heart-sourced ripples? Here is a little love from me to you: 5-minute Heart Centered Meditation 

Sent with an expanding heart 💗

Jen

BTW - I treasure our holistic community so just holler if your bodymind is ever interested in a referral to a trusted practitioner.

Pearls of Gratitude

Greetings in this New Year!  

Over the holidays, my family and I ate our share of the most delicious oysters - Kumamoto from the west coast and Chebooktook from the Canadian east coast.

You may or may not prefer oysters and yet, these small creatures have a remarkable nature.  Since Nature is a mirror for our own human nature, you know I’ve been reflecting on this.  

Mind if I share a bit of 'oyster nature’ so you can join-in on the incredible journey?

  • The oyster’s rock-like exterior shell is formed around an exposed and vulnerable egg. 

  • The tough shell is formed from calcium carbonate CaCO3 - a brilliant recipe comprised of carbon dioxide from air + water in the sea water.  

  • Despite no arms or legs, oysters are not stagnant and move in their own way to thrive in their environment.

  • Oysters are bi-valves which means they circulate air and water through their container to flush out grit, toxins and other yuks. 

  • When invaded by an outside force (commonly a gritty irritant or a worm), if they cannot flush it out with the usual way, they first contain it - they create a boundary!

  • Oysters contain the invader by creating a light shell around it called nacre (think of protein structure like an eggshell) 

  • Layers and layers of nacre creates a pearl! 

Although 1:10,000 oysters create a natural pearl, all pearls are formed through disruption and chaos.

The pearl’s beauty is formed as a result of insult or injury.

And guess what else…the pearl is formed from the same mineral material as the gnarly exterior shell. 

Does this persistent resilience move you too? 🥹

To me, scars and pearls are synonymous. A reminder that both grit+grace are important aspects of this beautiful and often messy journey of life. 

I invite you to reflect on the pearls of wisdom that you’ve beaded over the last year(s).  String the new story of persistent resilience.  And if you happen to be graced with pearl jewelry, maybe you wear it as a token of your inner grit layered with grace. 

Sending love and pearls of gratitude in this new year.

Jen

BTW - you still may or may not eat oysters but I wouldn’t feel complete without sharing that oysters are a superfood, lol.  Power-packed with vitamins, minerals and high-purine protein. An all-around amazing creature.  As are you.