Your May 2023 Periodical. Providing you with inspiration, wellness tips, updates, and insights.

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A Personal Note from Me to You...

Hi, there.

Let's grab our tea, coffee, water, or smoothie, and visit for a minute.

I don't know about you, but the last couple of months have felt like they have just zipped by, filled with one event, activity, or action list, after another.

May started out the same way, and then there was something that got my attention that insisted I slow down - pause - stop, and pay attention to my internal dialog. Which is exactly what I am doing today.

When we allow it, our mind can get carried away with the to-dos, and what-not-to-do, then build erroneous stories based on old beliefs that were created to protect us in some way.

Those old beliefs, and stories, weren't developed because we're bad, stupid, lazy, or incompetent. They were thought forms that served as mechanisms for survival, preservation, and methods to maneuver the emotional and physical environment we were exposed to, in order to develop attachments, be validated, and feel loved, seen, and heard (respected).

I mentioned in a prior correspondence how "I am present with my sister and the roar of her diagnosis of advanced breast cancer. Knowing [that] I have the option of tapping into the powerful inner calm that can - and is, guiding me (us) through these rough waters, step-by-step, day-by-day."

Well, I also came to realize that there are times when we can be hypervigilant by - with all good intentions, wanting to take charge of an event or circumstance that isn't ours to take charge of.

For example, my sister is being well cared for by a team of medical specialists. Each doing what they do as a part of the healing journey she is on to reestablish health and wellness. I recognized that, instead of asking her, I "told" her that I was stepping in to speak to one of her doctors, on her behalf.

It's good to advocate for others, but we cross personal boundaries when we don't first inquire if this is what is wanted, and needed from us at that time, or at all. And to continue to pursue what we/I think is best instead of first listening and supporting her by understanding what she desires.

Continuing to not listen to another will break down the trust in the relationship. It is sending the nonverbal message that they/she doesn't have a right to make their/her own decisions, or have their personal needs, wants, and boundaries heard, honored, fulfilled, or respected. Not listening and honoring her requests tells her (or anyone) that, because I am not respectful, then I cannot be respected or trusted, as she/they or I, would like to experience.

That isn't the message I want to relay about myself. Nor is it how I would want to feel or be treated. I don't want that for her or anyone. Therefore, I'm grateful for becoming aware of my own thoughts and behavior. Then I could apologize and genuinely explain what I became aware of and how I will demonstrate respect for her needs by asking her first. And repeating what she expresses to me back to her through my own understanding, for added clarification.

This process allows me to return to the authentic version of myself that listens to hear and then responds out of love, support, understanding, respect, and compassion.

Life is like that. We're not meant to be perfect and do everything "right" the first time. There are many "first times" because life unfolding is how we evolve and awaken again, again, and again. This is how we learn and practice increased self-awareness, and soulful, conscious living. Where information becomes knowledge, knowledge becomes wisdom, and wisdom becomes a way of being.

It's all good - even in those moments that it does feel like it and we're temporarily experiencing difficult emotions. Because it too, is serving us in our refinement, and self-discovery.

May your moments, days, and weeks be blessed with love, joy, insight, inspiration, fun, and abundance.

Until next time,

~ Josephine

Oracle Card Insight into Vulnerability:

Tapping into the insights of Nature and Mother Earth, the "Meadows" arose as a representation of vulnerability at this time.

"The meadows in this card [drawn from "Earth Magic"] invite(s) us in with its beauty and openness. The flowers have arranged themselves in a poetic design orchestrated by Nature, and the lush rolling fields urge us to relax and stay for a while. For some, the idea of being in such an open space is terrifying... feeling exposed and defenseless, lacking the perceived safety of an enclosed area. For others, [it] can be an exquisitely satisfying experience... feeling comfortable in the openness and visibility." - Quotes excerpted from the "Earth Magic Oracle Cards" guidebook

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Invitation

Being open; vulnerable, in essence, is an invitation to consider becoming more open and receptive to our Source of life, and Higher Power. This type of vulnerability that is not understood through the mind, but the heart, is built on the trust of the Divine that is ever-present through us, with us, for us, and all around us.

Insight

As we choose to pause, slow down, or stop for a moment and notice our inner dialog, we learn how to free ourselves from the bondage of our own fearful thoughts. We become vulnerable because we don't know what the field of life has to offer until we tune into the Divine and work collaboratively with her, on our own behalf, which innately includes the highest good of all involved. Just like my experience, awareness, and insight of myself into the love and support of my sister and her healing journey.

Yes, we will not always agree. And being willing to be open to one's Higher Power and your soul's innate wisdom, there might be those that judge, criticize, evaluate, or even demean your choices.

Even though those are possibilities, the more you choose to go within and follow that guidance that you recognize because it resonates, it feels good to you at a very deep level - and doesn't invite you to override anyone else's rights, boundaries, or free will, you will have the wherewithal to deal with whatever arises.

You are able to remain confident, instead of merely responding adaptively and always playing it safe to please others that are not acting from their highest, at those moments.

When we make a habit out of holding back from expressing our own truth, we create an illusion of safety, which in the core of our belly - our being, we know isn't true. That's what causes us to make choices that we end up regretting, hurting ourselves, and often others.

Tapping into what the mind calls being too vulnerable or weak, by seeing how we are perceiving the world and others, is empowering. Because we have greater self-awareness, we have more choices, and the freedom to then proactively take inspired action, which is empowering. We are backed by our own faith and trust in ourselves, our soul's wisdom, and the Source of energy that created us, and many worlds.

A Wellness Tip for Good Measure:

This month's wellness tip is about the benefits of Ginger Root. According to the National Institute of Health, "ginger root is a member of the family of roots consisting of turmeric and cardamom. There are over 1300 different species of ginger root plants. Its strong aroma and taste are due to ketones called gingerols, a primary component of the root."

Common Ginger root has a long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It’s been used to aid digestion, reduce nausea, help fight the flu and common cold, ease menstrual cramps, lower cholesterol, relieve indigestion, lower blood sugar, improve heart disease risk factors, and help reduce cancer risks, to name a few of its purposes.

Prepared as a tea with chamomile and peppermint, it supports healthy gut bacteria, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, eases stomach pains, and calms the nervous system, which aids in the reduction of anxiety and depression.

For example, ginger increases serotonin and dopamine levels. This can reduce inflammation, which may be a cause of depression. Ginger could also provide benefits for anxiety, depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Generally, using powered or fresh Ginger root in cooking or as a tea may be considered an excellent means of supporting preventive healthcare and encouraging well-being, in combination with a balanced and healthy meal plan that best supports your body's needs.

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Note: Information, ingredients, or recommendations offered here are not to replace medical attention, or doing what you need to for whatever your body is dictating at the moment. If you're taking any medications, be sure to check with your doctor, pharmacist, or naturopath to ensure there are no contraindications or side effects.

Links & Updates:

Thank you for your business, and for sharing my products and services with others!

~ Josephine

Creator of the "Live in AAWE" Approach

Author of "HSP - Empathic and Empowered"

Creator & Facilitator of the Body-Wise™ and Soul-Wise™ methods for meditation and integration