Shifting From Busy To Content

Hi lovely people!

Let’s take a moment today about the word “busy.”

What moments do you think of or physically feel like when you are “busy”? For me I feel like I am doing my best to keep up with the demands of my day, doing a first rate job and meeting all of the goals I have set for myself. It also means that I am also probably neglecting a things that I shouldn’t be. Some times this looks like eating when I can, not keeping up on being hydrated properly, not moving my body as I should, not doing the things that fill my soul on a daily basis. If I am really stuck in this mindset, I’m not doing anything I’m passionate about, I don’t “have time” for those things that are so necessary to my body, mind and soul.

When I stop and reflect upon this mindset, usually because I’ve become a little grouchy and my family has let me know in their, oh so subtle ways. I usually then realize what has been driving me. Usually, money, the needs of others, the demands of others, putting everyone else first. I begin to realize that those goals that I have, are not mine. These goals are for others. I am filling people and things with the energy that I need to be giving to myself. Please do not misunderstand, I know that we need our jobs, need our relationships, however first, we need our health, mental as well as physical. We also need to love ourselves, feed our passions, nourish our spirits.

When I realize that I am in in this place of “busy” I now stop, literally just stop. Whatever I was doing just a second ago, I take a break from. Sometimes it can only be 10 minutes, but I take it. I used to apologize to myself, but now I congratulate myself on recognizing that I have been being “busy” and make a shift in my mindset. I check in with myself to see how I am feeling throughout my body, ask myself to be present in this moment. I can usually feel that my body is tired from pushing through the day, and talk to myself gently and let myself know I am aware I need to shift priorities back to myself. I take a moment to become aware of my surroundings and my place in within it. To become content within right where I am.

It took me a while to be able to change my mindset to being content instead of being busy. “Busy”would sweep me up and demanded its needs be met. I had to start actively finding what in each area in my life made me content. I did this one step at a time, when things where calm. Literally, when I wake up I give myself a few minutes to go over a small segment of my day to find what about that part of the day I can find contentment in. Which one on my senses in a certain place or or situation lead to feelings of contentment. To be honest there may not be feelings of contentment there yet, we have not been taught to take moments and be present and enjoy part of it to the point where contentment can be reached. When this happens I work on thinking of being in those moments and then remind myself what I feel when I am content, when love and satisfaction of just being aware of what is present for me. This starts a correlation of being content even when “busy” is trying to take over. I only work on one situation in the morning. As I continue to practice this in the mornings I find my mind wandering during other moments of my day, recognizing contentment when it happens, or even thinking if I did something in a different way, it would be much more enjoyable and pleasing. In time I have been able to recognize when I needed to stop, center myself and regroup to meet my needs as well. I have given myself the time and attention to create a new mindset and tools that work for me that stop me from being “busy” to content in the surroundings of my life, and yes I too am an important part of this landscape.

This does takes time and you need to give yourself grace when it doesn’t happen immediately. Practice and patience is what will get you going and move you forward. It will help you be aware of yourself and your surroundings, and truly shift your perspective on how you are an integral part of this world and how you thrive, grow and love is at the heart of what you are doing here.

You will find yourself more settled, content, and having more energy, for you have given to yourself as well as to others. I encourage you to find and practice the little things that shift your focus form being “busy”, to being present, learning what part of moments you can take pleasure in, and still get complete the necessities of the your daily life. That first night when you relax or put yourself to bed and can say to yourself that you are wholly satisfied with your day, and it is because you chose to be aware and live in each moment, that my lovely people is some powerful healing. I promise it is worth the work, everyday.

Love and Blessings,

Thea

What the animals are saying…

We have welcomed the calendar years entrance into Spring. We all have different times and ways Spring announces it’s arrival where we live. Have you noticed all the shifts in nature that is coming with this season? Here, not only has the sap begun to move from the roots of trees to bring life to it’s branches and buds are beginning to appear, but animals have started to show themselves everywhere. Coming out from hiding or from the south. They are all here now, out in full force.

I was trying to think back to the time that this book, Animal-Speak, The Spiritual and Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small by Ted Andrews, came to me. The exact moment has not returned to my memory, most likely because it is not relevant, but what is important is that this book has traveled many miles with me. On many hikes, many island visits, may camping trips and I’ve slept with it right under my pillow for immediate reach when it’s needed. This book and information within keeps me connected to my soul and my spirit.

In many shamanic traditions they have a journey to find you spirit animal is a part of learning the way of the elders. For thousands of years we have lived in among many, many different animals on this planet. We have watched their patterns, their paths and have “listened” to what they have to tell us. They have messages about the weather, predators, and life patterns. Within the teachings of this book I have truly witnessed and learned many lessons about what animals are here telling me. Most importantly, what insights they have for me about myself.

Enjoy this book, embrace this book. If it speaks to you, allow yourself to find your spirit animal or animals. Seek the messages that are here for you, today and always.

There is magic happening here!

It is the last week of winter, even though I find myself sad about “letting go” of the solitude I find durning the darker months, nature is steadily showing signs of spring.

The geese have all returned, their continual chatter and gossip of their winter travels are being relayed and are an enjoyable rhythm to listen too. I wonder if they too, are feeling the energy shifts on the planet? How could they not? The shifts are palpable.

Spring is showing its subtle signs in nature. Squirrels are abundant, they have started to come out and play as well as forage. The chorus of spring birds is expanding, and as each arrive, they are adding their melodies to the music that awakens the Earth from slumber.

The earth beneath my feet is softening, the energy of the trees is changing as they are waking up. There is magic happening here! As the snow and ice gradually melts, hints of the lush, green ground cover is exposing itself to longer days. As droplets slowly melt and free them from there winter encasement, they reach for the sun, and it makes my soul feel alive.

This past year has definitely given me time to reflect, time to reconnect and be present. It is so easy to get lost in schedules, projects, and “life.” It has truly been awhile since I have been able to get myself settled. It is truly important to remember to keep coming back to the present. It is a tough task some days, however the more you practice being present, the easier it becomes.

Gentle reminders as we come into Spring:

Be Kind to Yourself

Positive Self-talk

Be Gentle, You are just tapping into your roots.

Feed Your Soul

Listen to Your Surroundings

Breathe in Fresh Air

Walk Barefoot on the Fresh Grass

Take Time to Be Present

Allow yourself to feel the magic of Spring. Be open for all this beautiful season of renewal had to offer. XOXO

Dr. Nicole

Signs of Spring

I went out to do my morning barn chores this morning, and there was 3 extra inches of grass that has emerged from underneath the snow, and some of it is even green! Every morning now the grass area will get bigger as the snow recedes.

As I open up the chicken coop for the day, I hear a hen clucking, they are starting to lay again. I wonder if I will have a clutch hidden on me again this year and have baby chicks seem to pop up out of no where.

I look out at out towards the pond as I close the coop door and I realize that the Canadian geese that come every year are probably not far way now. I love when they return again to swim, explore, call to each other, and raise their young.

I pass the my garden that is laden with snow, and ponder the arrangement of veggies that I grew last year, and where they will need to go this year, and did I remember to order the last couple of seed packets that I wanted to try…

The walk way to the barn is changing from ice and snow to a bit of mud. I let Rosie the cow and Randy the sheep out for the day. Rosie will have green grass to munch instead of just hay she has had for the last few months, and soon Randy will need shearing.

The list of changes that comes with the arrival of spring runs through my head: the violets and johnny jump-ups, the cats chewing on plants started inside, the shrubs blooming, how to keep Randy from eating all the flowers, robins hopping and flying about he ground and trees, the mud that will be here for a couple of weeks, the grass that will need mowing soon after that. So many things are about to happen!

But for now I stop to inhale the smell of spring that is on the breeze, the energy that is coming from the earth as it wakes, and the possibility of life that is awaiting to “Spring” forth. I will enjoy witnessing each of these things in there own time. Until then the excitement of the Earth awakening resides in me as well.

What are you waiting to see or feel this spring?

All My Best,

Dr. Nicole