Next Meet-Up: Starting New Year with Why

I began this group because I recognized the need for a community in which women can bond within and heal together as we strive to rise to our full stature. In order to fulfill the measure of our creation, we must find balance in heart, mind, body, and soul. As we each rise, our wholeness has a ripple effect on our family which links our schools, jobs, and communities to healthier and happier measures. We support one another in monthly meetings covering the following types of topics:

Nutrition          Hormonal Balance       Mindfulness

Elevating Energy    Managing Stress   Intentional Living

To start the New Year, we will be discussing "Resolutions that Start with Why". If you haven't seen Simon Sinek's ted talk on starting with your why, it's a must see that you'll want to watch before we meet up: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action

I'm excited to start this year with support, vibrance, and connection with you!

NEXT MEETING: JAN 12TH AT 6:30 PM
PANERA BREAD OF WINTER PARK
329 N PARK AVE, WINTER PARK, FL 32789
 

RSVP: EMAIL US AT CLEARROUTEHEALTH@GMAIL.COM BY JAN 11TH
CALL ME DIRECTLY IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR US AT THE MEETING VENUE: 
954-557-2720

Monthly Meet-Up Material #1

The material below is what we covered during our first monthly meet up as a Whole Women Link group. My desire is to equip women to gain physical and emotional healing and freedom, so I created this page to give you the material to replicate such a group wherever you are and however big or small your group may be. Call or email me if you have any questions or if you'd like for me to host this group for you in your area.

With warmth and wellness,

Crystal Nix, DC, CAc

Intro to Whole Women Link:

Our hats and roles are parts of who we are as a whole. We come together as a whole woman to link with others in becoming a more free and healed version of ourselves. This is our inward focus: we are a place to help our internal group.

Our group is also a verb with an outward focus. We link as women. We create the environment of our homes. What we nurture in our homes has a ripple effect on our communities, schools, nation, and world. Let us, therefore, be whole women who link our world to the healthiest and happiest opportunities. We start by nurturing ourselves, then we’re equipped to reach out.

Vulnerability

            In order to nurture ourselves, we need to know ourselves and feel connected. We as women especially thrive with connection. Our hormones actually have roots in how connected we feel. For example, we synchronize in menstrual cycles with women we're more frequently with. The thing about connection is that it takes vulnerability. Vulnerability takes courage because it means telling your story with your whole heart, warts and all. Brene Brown, a self-proclaimed researcher storyteller, shares her experiences and research in the area of vulnerability and its necessity for true connection in this ted talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability

If you were able to watch the video, how did you feel about vulnerability? I think we all feel the resistance to it along with the longing to be sincere and known. Despite our inner stirrings to live passionately, purposefully, and intimately, sometimes the risk of being exposed creates a sort of allergic reaction for us and shame chokes out these soulful parts of us. 

Shame Gremlins:

In her book, Daring Greatly, Brene Brown describes the concept of shame talk. Shame is derived from the fear of disconnection. She brings humor to the concept of shame by calling them her "Gremlins". Through her insight, I wondered how these gremlins have been thwarting my life and the lives of my patients. I came up with the following three "Gremlins" I most commonly see:

·      Guilt: I should to X or else Y will not be happy with me.

·      Impulse: snapping on our loved ones, peer pressure, eating compulsively like a bunch of Christmas cookies

·      Unworthy: Usually ends in "not (__blank__) enough" … the feeling of not pretty enough, smart enough, etc. 

How do we round up our gremlins and clear them out? In the movie, only light can destroy them. Similarly, we must bring to surface these hidden feelings to be free from the havoc shame can bring ourselves and our relationships. The light we use is something I call, "giving ourselves some grace".

A Warm Embrace of Grace:

·      Patience: Who would expect a child on the first bike ride to pedal along with ease and prowess? All too often we expect ourselves to do so emotionally or in our new responsibilities and guilt ourselves for falling short. Instead, we can see that we’re doing our best. It might be a shaky start, a rough night's sleep the day before, or trying to juggle too much. Our results are not a "one-size fits all" in every situation, so we can find patience knowing that our best varies.

·      Compassion is the mother scooping up her child after falling or riding into a bush. Sometimes we need to be scooped up and brushed off when we fumble in our new habit or the unworthy Gremlin just feels so big. With much attention on diet now, a compassionate self talk could sound like this: “I did eat 6 cookies.  I sort of wanted all of them but not really. I want to be healthy and feel happy about what I eat. I can add some veggies imbetween cookies next time or have an apple beforehand so I can curb my sweet tooth and I'm not starving. I’m still learning. It’s ok that I’m growing in this new habit.” Kindly recognize the action and the growth in your specific situation.

·      Gratitude: No matter the Gremlin or the weight of shame, a dose of sincere self-gratitude has a lightening effect. I personally feel the worthiness Gremlin's grip the most throughout my life. Since I've been growing in giving myself some grace, instead of comparing myself as better than or less than another, I feel thankful for my work and my heart. I try to let the results fall as they may without letting them dictate whether I did a good job or not, but know that I am spreading good in what I do.  Gratitude is feeling thankful for showing up, for speaking our truth, and recognizing our best is good. 

Uncovering and Healing

Alright, now that you know how shame can disrupt our peace and that a lantern full of grace can help clear the way, it's time to do some homework. Grab a partner or a journal and answer the following questions: 

How have you seen gremlins affect your life?

How can you use grace in your life and with your loved ones?

Our local Orlando group had a beautiful time discussing our experiences. This is your Whole Women Link, so feel free to share your thoughts below. Happy healing!