When we encounter setbacks physically, mentally or emotionally it’s sort of like a building that gets cracks in it. We can take a few knocks and totally handle it, but eventually, with too many cracks, the building takes a tumble. The foundation beneath the building, however, remains.

‘Mirror, mirror what do I see? Is there a way to be kinder to me?’ This is my story

Our relationship with eating, and food, is a relationship we will have for our entire life. The most basic reason to eat food is that it keeps us alive, but a more subtle and relevant reason is that it plays an important role in our physical and mental well-being. Therefore we should aim to have the best relationship with food we possibly can.

Due to the pandemic, people are losing loved ones and having to arrange funeral services with major restrictions. In an already overwhelming time, it has made everything seem even more cruel. This has been our family’s recent reality. Our beloved father, father-in-law, poppy, brother and friend passed away and the service arrangements had to be within strict boundaries including a maximum of 10 people who could attend (including the celebrant) and chairs separated to abide by the social distancing rule! This is not dissimilar to many countries around the world who have put in place similar controls.

Reassurance comes from decreasing doubts and fears. In a crisis like the global spread of COVID-19 it has a significant part to play. Our bodies and minds need rest and repair in order to optimally function and reassurance is as valuable as ever. It doesn’t matter whether you are the prime minister or president of a country, the CEO of a multi-national business, a single person, a parent, a teen who is finishing their last year at school, a 4 year old or among the elderly.

Imagine being allowed rest and recovery in the comfort of your own dwelling with loved ones present and a pile of books or a movie that you can’t wait to absorb.

Compare that to the frenzy about potential infection and disaster that is spreading like wild fire on social media and more generally in some of the media outlets. You wouldn’t think that the former was even on offer.

When I feel anxious or depressed I feel like I’m viewing life through a dirty lens. My thoughts impact the colours and the clarity, finding focus feels exhausting and tiresome. However cleaning that lens is possible, but it takes effort, especially when things feel bleak.

As the holiday season is drawing near, this months blog asks the question, ‘Are you ever satisfied?’. Read on to inquire about how we can gain more satisfaction as we develop goals for the new year.

In light of Mental Health week, I’ve decided to share a personal story of my experience with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for major depressive disorder. As a society we need to be more open to discussing interventions that can save lives.

Recently, I got to meet one of my all-time heroes, author and researcher Brené Brown.  She was in Melbourne speaking about her book Dare to Lead.  
To be honest I would have gone to see her speak about shelling peas.  She is an awesome speaker and often hilarious. She makes you think, laugh and cry all the while discussing some very serious topics.

Most people have experienced a time in their lives when they’ve felt worried or stressed about something. The feeling of being stressed, or scared, brings our physiological system into attention. It’s a basic survival mechanism and it’s vitally important, and when the stressor is removed we usually feel better. We essentially ride the wave and it passes…

Like us all, my life experience has impacted how I decipher meaning in the world, how I see things: my perspective.

And like us all, my perspective shifts and changes with continued experiences, good, bad and everything in between.

How perspective impacts life really hit home when at 22 years of age I broke my back. 

Allowing life to unfold 
Is not an easy task
I often wake up feeling a lack
And then feel the need to put on a mask

Yet I want to be genuine
Be true to who I am
Sharing with others the reality
Of any problems at hand…

I was born into a culture of ‘doers’ and ‘busyness’.

There wasn’t much ‘downtime’ or at least I recall feeling pressure in any ‘downtime’ to be doing something more. 

I never really learned how to relax, and often felt unsafe and untrusting of my environment.

Like many, I yearned for unconditional love and affection and when it wasn’t received in a way that served me I worked hard to get it winning honour awards, attaining degrees, getting jobs, or any accomplishment that I felt would somehow make me more worthy of attention. 

Late last year I went to a rehabilitation clinic in the hinterlands outside of Byron Bay, Australia. Not because I have an alcohol or substance abuse history, but because of an underlying, persistent anxiety and depression.

There are not many western medicine clinical residential options for treating underlying anxiety and depression other than the traditional hospital system. I’d tried that avenue and while it had provided a temporary refuge, it provided no lasting affect and no cure.

I’m a 45-year-old yoga and meditation teacher, and when I recently facilitated a meditation workshop in Melbourne, Australia I was reminded of three powerful words that can be used as a mental health mantra — resilience, reserve and reassurance.

The R-mantra, if you will.

Some of us set intentions each day, month or year.  Some of us don’t. It’s an individual choice, however I consider it vital for maintaining personal success and well-being.  I believe in consistently reflecting, re-evaluating, recentering and resuming my inner work to live up to my potential. 

Every new year no matter whether I’m enjoying family time at the beach or visiting friends elsewhere across the globe, I make sure I have time on my own.  I’ve had the opportunity, through many years of yoga practice and teaching, to witness the evolving benefits born of mindful time and have explored different ways to access my inner wisdom.

I recently finished an  8-week student-program at a primary school that centred around building confidence, resilience and social/emotional skills.

The program provided a content mix of inspiration and reflection to encourage a deeper understanding of themselves. It was wonderful to witness the student’s growth, each with their own unique learning style and lens on life.

There is some conjecture on how many emotional states human beings experience. One of the prevailing thoughts is that there are six basic states: happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, disgust, fear. But not everyone agrees with this idea. Regardless of the exact number of emotions that we’re able to feel and name I’d argue that learning to sit with thoughts, feelings and emotions, the good and the bad, is essential for our emotional health and our relationships.  This includes our most intimate relationship, the one we have with ourself.