Welcome to the August Edition of Wellness Wisdom!
In This Issue:
~ Updates from Centered Living
~ Feature Article: “Comfort in the Chaos”
~ Personal Reflections
~ About Dr. Lori Boothroyd
~~Updates from Centered Living~~
~ Welcome! I’ve returned from a writing sabbatical that went on longer than intended! In the meanwhile, I hope the summer for each and every one of you has been filled with moments of Joy and Peace.
~ This Fall, I’ll be launching some new programs so please stay tuned for those announcements in September’s newsletter. Returning programs include mentoring for new wellness coaches and group coaching for weight loss.
I’m also designing a new program especially for those who want to thrive and experience wellness while coping with a chronic illness. I’m very excited about this latest development, with more details to come!
~~Feature Article~~
Comfort in the Chaos: Living Well in the “Real World”
By Dr. Lori Gray Boothroyd, Ph.D.
What does living well really mean to you? And how does that definition fit within your daily life? One of the biggest challenges for my clients is the sense that we’re too “crazy busy” to really attend to our wellness. Sometimes life throws us curve balls; those are the moments when experiencing authentic wellness may simply mean finding “comfort in the chaos”…..staying centered through the storms of life as they blow through.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for something or someone to change that will signal a return to our balance. “Once I, s/he, it……(fill in the blank here)…..then I can take care of myself and prioritize my wellness.” But we don’t need to wait for the calm after the storm to begin feeling a sense of peace…..and well-being. Here are some simple techniques for making peace with the present:
· Return to your body:
Sensing our body through the breath, gentle movement, or simple awareness of our body instantly brings us back to the present moment and cuts through the “crazy-busy” for a moment. The more we practice having these “in-our-body” experiences, the more automatic it becomes to return to the body when we’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.
· Listen for what you need:
When we say what we want, be aware that beneath those words are emotional needs. What are the big goals, the things you talk about wanting in your life? When you’ve identified those goals and wants……check out what the emotions are underneath. Then ask yourself, “How do I want to feel different? What could I do right now to create that feeling?” Do you have an “escapist” fantasy? Those fantasies can tell us a lot about what we need. For example, a past client of mine would wish that she could be alone in a small cabin in the woods for at least a month. This was her “escapist” fantasy. But in the present, she had three small children and a demanding executive position. Beneath her words was a need for quiet, simplicity, solitude and a sense of her Self amongst her daily demands. A small way she has learned to meet this need is to take 5 minutes when she wakes up to light a candle, take some deep breaths and take in that quiet. She ends her day in the same way. Sometimes she even has ten minutes to do so! And you know what? It made a significant difference for her sense of well-being. So, in very small ways, we can meet some big needs while still attending to our responsibilities. But we first have to identify what it is that we truly need, what we long for, so we can then mindfully attend to it.
· Embrace what is here.
Finally, a shift in our expectations of what it means to be authentically well can be a great support. What is your vision of authentic wellness? What can you recognize and embrace in your life today, in the tiniest way that will take you toward that vision? Gratitude, expressed in myriad forms shines light through the murkiest, chaotic moments. Jon Kabat-Zinn, an author and master mindfulness teacher, shares this perspective in his classic book “Full Catastrophe Living”. The title comes from the story of Zorba the Greek, who, when asked about his life, said “Wife, house, kids, everything……the full catastrophe!” His description wasn’t a complaint, but rather a full appreciation for the ups and downs of life and all its riches within. If we wait for that Zen Retreat in the mountains to feel balanced……we could be waiting a long while, missing life’s riches along the way.
So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the chaos of daily life……take a moment to appreciate the beauty of your full catastrophe. You may catch yourself smiling!
~~Personal Reflections~~
The summer has been unusually cool here in northern Michigan, with a few spikes of heat and humidity that blow through with a clapping thunderstorm born over Lake Michigan. The gardens have thrived in the perpetual spring-like rain and gentle sunlight. It’s the most green and lush summer I can recall.
Of course, it’s no coincidence that I have chaos on my mind these days. The recent months have brought a flurry of “catastrophes”, all of which required attending. The most pressing challenge has been the health of my husband, Greg. Ordinarily active and vibrant, he sustained a back injury that snowballed into a number of complicating issues, with an unclear path toward healing. One morning he limped into the kitchen, turned to me and said, very calmly, “There is no end to what’s new, is there?”. Truer words were never spoken.
Witnessing and caring for him these past months has reminded me that we can be well (even when we’re not healthy) and that there is always more to learn as Life rolls on. We’ve had some good laughs, connected with a community of support and discovered a great team of healers along the way. For that I am most grateful.
May you embrace the “full catastrophe” with a joyful heart and a quiet mind.
Until next time,
Lori
~~About Dr. Lori Boothroyd~~
Dr. Lori Boothroyd is known as the “Coaching Psychologist”. She has served her clients and students well over the years through integrating her knowledge from earning a Ph.D. in psychology, as well as her advanced training in coaching and wellness psychology. Appreciated for her warmth and down-to-earth style as much as her expertise, Lori is a dynamic teacher, author and coach. She lives in Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, Dr. Gregory Boothroyd. Together they authored the book “Going Home: A Positive Emotional Guide to Promote Life Generating Behaviors”.
For a complimentary coaching consult, to inquire about programs or to ask any questions, please email: lori@loriboothroyd.com
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