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

Coming Back to Myself

Hello Everyone!

Sorry, for long absence of me writing to you here. I have started numerous blog posts, some with what I felt to be profound words, that turned into mush halfway through and then thoughts became so jumbled I could not get them down on paper... So, finally I awoke this morning with some clarity. Please, be patient as I once again transcribe thoughts and feelings in my head into writing.

Time has flown by, this last year seems like a blur. If I had a feelings chart, you know one of those that you put on your refrigerator to help identify what a person is going through at the moment, I would definitely have cycled through EVERY single emotion, EVERY day. While trying to navigate though the constant stream of emotions, I thought my physical day had not changed much, in retrospect it has indeed changed. Life has changed. Perhaps it was just denial or trying to remain calm, life has shifted into a new paradigm.

While talking with a now, new stay-at-home mom, who is trying to navigate “at home learning” while still maintaining her sanity, our conversation was interrupted by her child and she asked, “Why are you not on with your teacher? You need to be on the computer with your teacher...” Directions where given and our conversation continued. Not two minutes later this mom was asking, “Why are you in your Captain America costume? You need to get back on the computer with your teacher...” It was in this moment I realized we are all navigating life in our own special way.

While we are in challenging, frustrating and nerve wracking times, remember there is truly an immense amount of LOVE and UNDERSTANDING as every single one of us have our struggles with this new paradigm. Remember all of your feelings are valid, and need to be worked through. When you need to, take a moment to breathe, scream in a pillow, cry in your safe space, get outside or whatever you need to do in the movement. Feel it, acknowledge it and then let it go.

As many of you know I LOVE WINTER! So, regardless of the cold and snow, I get outside. I recommend this to everyone. Spending time in nature is the only thing that brings me back to myself, but I may invest in a Captain America costume to bring me that joy, or maybe dress up Randy.

All My Best,

Dr. Nicole

Saving Barbie

In the midst of the chaos in the world over the last two months (yes, two months that have actually felt like eternity). Our entire world has been turned upside-down, twisted, convoluted and has become unrecognizable. We have gone a very long time not seeing family, distancing from friends and our normal social network.

We have been forced to slow down.

We have been “given” the opportunity to slow down.

I have always worked, I enjoy my path of helping others heal and find their healing journey. I have not had a lot of time to sit idle during this time of corona, I have continued helping others, as well as trying to find a balance. During this time of completely unsettled feelings my life has changed. My daily routines have become different, home life is different, the simple things we enjoy such as taking a drive and visiting family, all of those things that we enjoy now look completely different.

I went from having alone time, to having a partner that is now home 24/7. Talk about a game changer. Learning how to readjust for me, was a little difficult, but here we are several weeks later, laughing and carrying on.

I have found that my chiropractic practice is a place of comfort, a sense of normal and a place where even though I have not been able to hug every person that walks through my door, my office is a place that people come to, to just feel better and feel better about themselves. I MISS HUGS!

The last 8 weeks have been tough, and while spring is blooming, the grass is turning green and birds are singing, I needed a break to recharge my spirit and my soul...

I had no other plans than to get into a vehicle and be the passenger for a day. To be open to what a day of sunshine and new scenery would bring.

It had been many, many months since I had taken a random adventure.  Lester and I dropped off Mike at his meeting, ahh… alone time! FINALLY.

We found a nice hiking trail, we spent some time sitting on rocks, watching the birds, listening to the random, yet deliberate sounds of nature. We found waterfalls, abandoned wells and buildings, then we ended up at a beautiful lake. We hiked up to a glorious sand beach. There, there were a few parents with their children, an older couple holding hands walking the beach, a few boats in the water, as well as a graceful loon and a little family of ducks.  It was a perfect place to spend a couple of hours sitting on a rock with my feet in the water, moving my toes in the sand.

There were no face masks, no worry, just people enjoying the sunshine, warm weather and taking time at their leisure.

Lester and I were greeted by a blonde, curly-haired cutie, wearing the most glorious sundress, and leggings pulled up to her knees. She was spending the afternoon with her dad, he was doing a little fishing and kept apologizing for his daughter disturbing us. Honestly, Lester and I did not mind one bit. She was joyful, talkative, strong-willed and rather funny. Within no time I had a new best friend.

We threw rocks in the water, she gave me gifts of leaves she had found, she had me fix her hair (those curls were truly amazing), we splashed in the water, we walked Lester, and we laughed. Her dad was genuinely kind.

I had  no expectations, no agenda for the day.  I truly, never expected to meet a curly-haired little girl that would be most entertaining.

The highlight of my “mental” health day was saving a beach Barbie who was being forced off the beach to swim, from drowning. I saved beach Barbie too many times to count.  I spent the afternoon with a little girl that made my heart skip a few beats.  There is nothing more pure, more raw than spending time with kids.

Her dad thanked me many times, and when they packed up to leave she looked at her dad and asked if she could hug me bye. He said, YES. THAT WAS THE BEST HUG EVER.

Lester and I had a grand afternoon. We were both tired and our hearts were full.

I needed to recharge, I needed to reconnect, I needed to save Barbie, but in hindsight, the change of the scenery for this one afternoon with the help of a three year old, I saved myself.

In times of uncertainty that can cause great stress, it is important to check-in. Remember to check-in with yourself.  Re-set, Re-chare, Re-establish your priorities and give yourself time and space to heal.

Maybe just go get a Barbie and pitch her into a lake and save her ass, it can be life changing.

All My Best.