Take a Leap

"If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and
intelligence leap forward with huge momentum."

Holy Near - Singer-Songwriter

A few days ago I was searching Prime Video for something new to watch. I found myself on Project Runway Juniors, season 1. Having grown up making my own clothes, I thought it would be fun to watch these young kids and their creative process. The ages of these designers was 13 to 17 and (spoiler alert!) the youngest of the group won!

Their creativity, ability to take criticism, to make mistakes and challenge themselves was so impressive. I saw a maturity in these young people that was beyond their years. What was most inspiring was their willingness to stay true to themselves even with the judge's unfavorable critique. 

How often do you hold back, afraid of being wrong or looking silly or challenging yourself?

2024 is Leap Year. Dare you take a LEAP for yourself?

The Power of Color

I love color and being surrounded by it. The walls in my house are painted beautiful earth tones. I live in the woods and wanted to bring the outside colors in to all of the rooms. My office, though, is my favorite space. It is painted a saturated turquoise color. I feel surrounded with warmth and creative energy and go to my office when I need to feel grounded.

One of my favorite deck of cards that I refer to is The Secret Language of Color Cards by Inna Segal, a healer, author and international speaker. The cards are beautifully done and the guidebook offers insight into color as a healing tool. Inna not only offers understanding of a particular color, but also includes an affirmation or meditation or healing activity for each card.

Examples:

 Ask a question and pick a card;

 Place the card on your body for releasing discomfort;

 Clear your chakras;

 Choose a card for meditation;

 Find a color for your wardrobe

 Use the cards in any way that feels right for you.

 Visit Inna's website: www.innasegal.com

 

 

Mindmapping

Mindmapping is a guide for problem solving. It may not be for everyone but I like working with it and getting a visual understanding of a problem or challenge.

My daughter, a bio-medic1al engineer who loves a spread sheet and a list, was shocked when she saw the chart. "Mom, is that how your mind works?" I had quite a chuckle.

Below are some elements of mind mapping from Mindmapping, Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving by Joyce Wycoff:

1. Central focus of an image or graphic representation of the problem or information being mapped is place in the center of the page;
2. Ideas flow without judgment;
3. Key words are used to represent ideas;
4. One key word is printed per line;
5. Key word ideas are connected to the central focus with lines;
6. Color is used to highlight and emphasize ideas;
7. Images and symbols are used to highlight ideas and stimulate the mind to make other connections.
   

 For more information on mindmapping, look for books by Tony Buzan, who developed this technique in the 1970's as a tool to help people take notes more effectively.

The Mind Map Book by Tony Buzan and Barry Buzan 

Use Both Sides of Your Brain by Tony Buzan 

 

Reduce Stress with the Gamut Point Procedure

The Gamut Point Procedure is a self-healing process that is part of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a practice that incorporates tapping acupressure points for pain and emotional relief. 

This technique is simple and powerful at the same time. When stressed, you want something easy and doable.

To reduce stress, anxiety and/or fear, do the following while tapping, massaging or
holding the Gamut point:

• Close your eyes for a few seconds;

• Open your eyes;

• 
  Keeping your head still, look hard down to the right;

• Continuing to keeping your head still, look hard down to the left;

• Slowly roll your eyes in a full circle in a clockwise direction, imagining that you can see each number on the face of a clock;

• Then slowly roll your eyes back in a full circle in a counter-clockwise direction;

• Hum about 5 seconds of any song that comes to mind;

• Count to 5 out loud;

• Lastly, hum about 5 seconds of any song again.
  

 

More Foot Care

 "The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."

Leonardo DaVinci

It's easy to take your feet for granted until you can't. Toes get squished into tight shoes, heels, athletic shoes and more. And, going barefoot is difficult, especially if you live someplace that has more winter than any other season. Look at the muscles that take the brunt of daily movement and exercise.

Luckily, more and more athletic and everyday shoes are being made with wide toe boxes, support for arches and aid for various foot concerns.

I recently purchased the Neuro Ball from Naboso, a company founded by Dr. Emily Splichal, a functional podiatrist and human movement specialist. www.naboso.com

For most of my life I have crammed my feet into many different dance shoes, ice skates, ski boots, heels, tight "normal" shoes and more. So, I have some foot problems going on. Following various "how to" Naboso videos on YouTube, I have found the Neuro Ball to be quite effective. It feels good even when focusing on areas of my foot that are tender and tight. I have added these exercises to the foot routine I already do every day. I will let you know about my progress with this product.

Your Heart's Desire

                YOUR HEART'S DESIRE

Questions to consider:

WHEN in my life do I need to slow down and become quiet in order to listen to my heart's desire?

WHERE in my life do I need to slow down and become quiet in order to listen to my heart's desire?

WHY do I need to slow down and become quiet in order to listen to my heart's desire? 

HOW do I slow down and become quiet in order to listen to my heart's desire?

WHAT do I need to slow down in my life in order to listen to my heart's desire?

 

"One's action ought to come out of an achieved stillness, not to be a mere rushing on." 

                                                       D. H. Lawrence