Tag: mindfulness

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Jazz Living: Inner Harmony Builds Inner Resilience

Synchronicity happened today. I wrote the very thing two weeks ago that I needed to read today when I need a boost of inner harmony to tap into my inner resilience. Key takeaways from re-reading the article I wrote: I scheduled my self-care massage for after the Resilience for Harmony event. Then, I took a couple micro-moments to integrate the affirmations on my office walls and appreciate the beauty of my artwork. Refueling my tank from the outside-in and from the inside-out.

Already, I’m back on the upward spiral. Funny, how practicing what I know, works. I should do that more often.
I’m not avoiding my emotions–sometimes you need to lean into challenging emotions for transformation.

Resilience does not mean having strength to push through. Resilience means the ability to recover from or adapt positively to challenge and change – which includes self-care, self-love, self-esteem, self-worth. Improvisational Jazz Living skills can help you pause, ground, listen, morph, and pivot as needed to respond to the day’s challenges. I like to think about elasticity.

Check out the blog post article for more ideas on refueling your tank when you’re getting low.

For extra resilience boosting, join Resilience for Harmony: Tools, Tips & Exercises for Well-Being, Saturday September 10, 10-11:30amET. I am hosting 90-minutes with five wellness experts on different aspects of resilience. As part of the Wellness Universe, Wellness for All programming, this event is offered on a pay-as-you-can basis so it is truly available to all. Healthy, happy, healed humans lead to peace globally.

Register Today: https://bit.ly/ResilienceForHarmony

Resilience for Harmony: Tools, Tips & Exercises for Well-Being, Sat., Sept., 10, 10-11:30amET
Read Jazz Living: Inner Harmony Builds Inner Resilience on The Wellness Universe Blog
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Mid-Week Mini Retreat

Are you one of the sensitives and empaths getting rocked with everything going on in the world? Uncertain times can challenge our abilities to deal with change.

I’m noticing again, I want to lie down for 20 minutes to push the reset button. Time to refresh.

We want to stay strong and stable for our family, friends and coworkers. Sometimes, being a lighthouse for others to see clearly takes clarity and focus, perseverance, and determination. You’d love to be a light for others – if you had the time and energy. But filling your cup first went on the ToDo list a while ago.

We keep hearing that self-care builds resilience and resilience is not a luxury. Maybe you’re like me and sometimes, when we show up as our best for others, we feel drained. Then, that’s not really our best. We need to show up for ourselves as our best and brightest.

What does it take for you to show up for yourself as your best?
What does it take for you to show up as your best for others?
How do you do both simultaneously?

I have to pause and refocus so I fill myself from within while being available for someone else. It’s kind of like refueling the plane in flight. Some days I pull that off better than other days. Some days, I need extra refreshment – the inner refreshment from my soul, rather than outer refreshment.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a time dedicated for yourself at the end of the day? A little mid-week retreat for your soul to reconnect to what matters would be a blessing. You’d enjoy a little space to decompress and rejuvenate.

That’s how Annetta felt about our Jazz Living course. “I look forward to a weekly mini retreat. You take me on a nice journey into myself. I feel comfortable and a sense of trust in our growing community. I enjoy the creative and reflective process of practicing The Art of Jazz Living.” ~ Annetta Leigh

Members of our Jazz Living community have the opportunity to connect with like-minded souls in a safe and supportive environment. We practice applying jazz principles to daily living to improve our resilience and creativity. We help each other tap into our vibrant inner resources to navigate uncertainty and change.

The next session of our Jazz Living community opens April 20 and runs 6 Wednesday evenings. For the course link click HERE :

Here’s a free 30-minute introduction if you’d like to learn more: Click HERE
Finding Resilience Through Jazz Living (even if you don’t like jazz).

If you’d like to chat about your resilience building journey, I’d love to share a conversation over a zoom tea. Message me.

What can you do for yourself today to hear your inner wisdom more clearly?

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Toggle to Inner Wellbeing

Have you felt the unease I’ve noticed in the past few days of current world events? I couldn’t put my finger on it. Suddenly, I was feeling off, down, a little anxious, ungrounded. I was feeling great on Tuesday, 2.22.2022. Then, Thursday morning, a wave of anxiety washed over me, learning about the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Today, I’m digging deeper into my natural wellbeing. I feel the best contribution I can make is staying grounded and in the flow of wellbeing for all. I focused on my body rhythm to be fully present in the now moment. I felt deeply into the inner glow of wellbeing within, under the layer of anxiety. I affirmed “I choose wellbeing anyway.” Then, I let go and allowed myself to feel uplifted and carried on the flow of wellbeing. Suddenly, I have my groove back. It was always there – on the other side of a veil.

What can you do to affirm wellbeing for all in solidarity with Ukrainians?  Can you acknowledge the insanity and choose inner wellbeing for yourself anyway? Find your inner rhythm through movement: stretch, walk outside, move your body. Get quiet and feel where your heartbeat meets your breath. Listen deeply for what is yours to do. Then take the next right action.

I call that
The Art of Jazz Living.

Would you like support practicing the Art of Jazz Living skills so you can toggle to your wellbeing more gracefully even when life feels tough? You’re invited to join our practice group, The Art of Jazz Living. The next session starts Tuesday March 1, 6:30-8pm Central time.  Check out the course here:

https://wellnessuniverse.learnitlive.com/Class/The-Art-of-Jazz-Living%3A-Overcoming-Challenges-with-Grace%2C-Ease-%26-Joy/20283

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Courage is a Decision

Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision. Do you agree? Why or why not? The following story made me wonder about my own courage in crisis.

Someone told the story of their great aunt living in Nazi Germany in 1934. The woman was sitting at the back of a bus stopped by the SS. Soldiers came onto the bus, checked people’s papers and sent a few people off the bus to a waiting truck. As the soldiers made their way toward the back of the bus, the woman started shaking and tears streamed down her face. The man sitting next to her asked what was wrong. She said, “I don’t have the papers you have. I’m a Jew.” The man started yelling loudly, “You stupid bitch! I can’t stand you! I can’t be in public with you!” The SS soldier asked what was wrong. The man said, “My wife has left her papers at home again!” The soldiers laughed and continued on past. The woman never saw the man again and did not even know his name.

I found this gem of a story in a box of files circa 1994. I don’t know the author or the book it came from. Thank you, Unknown Author, for your inspirition today.

#8wellbeingmoment #WUWorldChanger

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Bless The Day – Bless Your Body

The guided meditation I led this morning focused on cleansing and refreshing the liver, lungs, and digestive system. That got me thinking about pumpkin.

I have been eating canned pumpkin with ginger, cloves and cinnamon in my oatmeal, on pancakes and and straight from the can for several months. I ask my body what will serve my well-being. What my body wants is pumpkin.

Today I looked up the Traditional Chinese Medicine view of pumpkin and learned pumpkin is good for the digestive system – especially with ginger, cloves and cinnamon. I love how I can trust my body wisdom to inform my mind of what will serve my well-being. I don’t always listen. But, when I am in alignment with my body wisdom, I feel healthier and more vibrant – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Check out this meditation to give your liver, lungs and digestive system some lovely refreshment and nourishment.

You are invited to join our free, live Soul Embodiment meditations, where you can assist our Well-Being Community to anchor spiritual energy into physical form. Message me and I’ll send you the Zoom link for Fridays, 8:30-9amCT.

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Featured Local Author

Now you can check out my book, Seeking Serenity: How to Find Your Inner Calm and Joy at the Library!!

I’m super excited to be featured in the Anoka County Library – Local Author Winter Reads program!

When I visited the Anoka Public Library as a little kid, I never thought I would have my own book available on the library book shelf!

Who remembers the Carnegie Library in downtown Anoka? The tall cement staircase led up to big, wooden doors – heavy doors for a little kid to open. Inside, the wooden floors creaked and the whole place smelled musty – like a library full of books! I was sad when the old library was torn down, but a new and improved library quickly took its place in my heart. The new library smelled like new carpet. I also got lost in those stacks of books.

When my kids were little, we visited the Anoka County Library Centennial Branch in Circle Pines. I paid for several books that my babies destroyed. Every week, we checked out a huge canvas bag of library books, then sat on the bed or sofa eating apple slices while pouring through book after book.

And now my book is in the library too!

You can read my author interview on the Anoka County Library website.
https://www.anokacounty.us/4035/Leah-Skurdal

And check out my book from the Public Library!
Print copies are also for sale at Wellness Circle Pines, 2 S. Pine Dr., Circle Pines, MN.
Print and e-book versions are available on Amazon.

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Spread Well-being

Build resilience – Connect to your inner well-being

You may have noticed lately how your stress response affects your health and your relationships. What are you doing to build your resilience muscles so you can respond to stress with grace?

Continue reading Spread Well-being