This was a from a newletter I sent out in October.  I got a lot of responses and so i decided to share it here again.

Last summer left me drained.  Emotionally.  Physically.

When you are emotionally and physically drained there is no space for creativity.  I was feeling stuck.  I couldn't write, cook, or care for myself the way I would like.  Coming down on myself was becoming standard and my friend discouragement, was helping dig my hole deeper.

My rational brain knew I could turn it around-- but something was holding me back.  The change I needed, wasn't transpiring from simply changing my mind.  I needed to overhaul what I was feeling--flip it in a big way, and do so, slowly, gently, and compassionately. 

Step 1: Compassion

The heading on my website is Health Coaching with Compassion.  Compassion is a personal quality that I hold dear.  It is time to practice on myself.

Step 2: Food

When you don't feel good about yourself it is difficult to make healthy food choices.  Cheese can be so comforting when you're feeling crappy--and in turn make you feel more crappy (go figure).  So, no matter the conversation in my head, I was going to feed my body with compassion.

Step 3: Movement

What I wanted was flow.  Creative flow.  Words to flow.  My days to flow.  I was out of the flow and so now I needed to make my body flow.

Step 4: Acceptance

I was resisting how I was feeling.  I wanted to be able to change my mind about my feelings and make them go away.  I was upset and pushing back with frustration.  Acceptance came with the compassion.  It aloud me to slow. Observe.  And accept there was a need for space and a need to heal. 

Step 5: Gratitude

The most important of all, but it came to me last.  I used to walk and sit and say thank you all the time.  It was second nature to be grateful for all the blessings and blessings in disguise, in my life.  Somewhere in the last few years I have lost that practice.  I have more challenges and less time than ever before, and the words don't always slip with as much ease. 

I write this now feeling more clear and that is why I share it.  The fog has lifted and the static  has been cleared so that I am able to feel the flow with more ease.  I am excited for what lies ahead as I remind myself to remember this formula:

Compassion + Good Food + Movement + Acceptance + Gratitude=Bliss