Ceremony of the Soul

I usually spend winter solstice reflecting and once the New Years bell rings I’m refocusing. I’ll ask myself…

• What do I want to create?
• What do I want to be known for?
• How do I want to SHOW UP in this new year?
• How will I improve?
• Why is this important to me?

December in the PNW is a combination of chill and rain, lots of rain. I’ve grown accustomed to the clouds and learned to stick to my plans regardless of the liquid sunshine. On this particular day the sun made it through. Which is perfect because every year during winter solstice we join the Nisqually Tribe to welcome the change. [Scroll down and watch part of the ceremony.]

It’s a two day celebration called Winter Moon and the McCloud Ohana have been the caretakers of this ceremony for many years.

Solstice

A time just before great change, for example summer solstice is the longest day in the northern hemisphere signifying abundance, harvest and beauty. Meanwhile winter solstice is the catalyst to regeneration, self-reflection and rejuvenation. It’s also the shortest day of the year.

Our inner being understands solstice and change which is why we look at the new year as a chance to regenerate and start over. We’re wired to do this.

During this time the Elders share their wisdom and we reflect on their words.

Success

Good things come to those who pay attention to their inner voice. If you remove the distractions, blinking lights and phone chimes to focus on…

What do you desire in the new year?

What do you need to make it happen?

When will you start?

Mack and Joyce McCloud have been hosting this for generations and taught their children to carry on. The two pictures above are the two of them.

Healthy body comes from a healthy mind.

Start by taking time to nurture and listen to the cravings of your soul. Then make a food and fitness plan for the coming year. Don’t spend a dime on workout equipment or nutritional products until you answer the questions I posted above.

After everything is done the children hang god’s eyes in the trees to decorate them for the new year.

Commit to a plan once you’ve

1. Completed a self-reflection session. (Basically answer the questions above.)
2. Designate time towards intentional movement.
3. Assign someone to be your accountability partner.

Above all keep your word! Do not break the promise you make to yourself. Whatever you choose to do in the near future be consistent to show-up for yourself, even when the going gets tough and you want to give up.

Generational

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to all of you beautiful MANA Wahine out there! Just keep moving.

https://youtu.be/pBzh6v9ChjY

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Herbalist do exist!

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TINCTURE: A liquid extract of an herbal product. A single drop of a specific tincture under your tongue can work wonders in the body.

There are powder blends, salves and so much more.

I personally enjoy the quality of knowledgeable people, and what they have to share with me. Bottom line, I didn’t have to pay for their education but I do benefit from it.

Why share this info?

1. I just want you to know that we have options when it comes to weight-loss.
2. You are not alone on this journey called wellness.
3. Connect on the community level, find help and resources in your environment.

As a bonus, I wrote another article called, “It doesn’t have to be organic.” And if you’ve read this post then the other one will make total sense. I’m trying to shed the light on local business.

Click here to read the blogpost.

On Instagram I shared another FIT FOODIE moment, pic below & you can click on it to visit the post.

Gratitude Challenge ✨

I’m revisiting a thread of prompts to motivate my mind into a place where wellness can thrive.

Did you know that Gratitude benefits your body as much as it does your mind. Ever heard the old saying, “Thoughts become things.”

Let’s rededicate our energy into positive thoughts about ourselves and our environment. The timing is perfect because the holidays can bring about mixed emotions which can prevent our physical success. We might miss someone that is no longer here or feel upset about past failures.

There’s a sense of time rushing by and our “To Do” list grows longer by the minute. Then we have to factor in deadlines, holiday related activities and so much more. Which is why we need to stop the insanity and slow down.

I can’t tell you the benefits of joining this challenge you have to feel it.

Will you join me?

1. Become a Mermaid.
2. Prompts will be delivered into your inbox starting November 1, 2016.
3. Print the free PDF that allows you to jot down a reflection. (💌 Emailed with your welcome letter.)
4. Post your thoughts in the comment section after the post. (✨ So we can connect.)
5. Send this blog post to someone you care about and have them join you.

I’m scheduling time to complete the 21 day assignments because I need this. Being a fitness professional has its own set of ups and downs. Inspiring others while remaining self-motivated. Giving 110 % over and over again without sick days. Wow that sounds like MOTHERHOOD.

I completed this process during the spring but so much has changed. Nothing truly remains the same. So what are you waiting for? Let’s do this together. Stay fit and move for love. 💙

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Beautiful Soul – Day 21

  
It’s the 21st day of the BEAUTIFUL SOUL CHALLENGE which deserves a celebration chant. Hip-hip-hooray! Now let’s spend a little time reflecting on the process with a few questions…

1. Why did you start the BEAUTIFUL SOUL CHALLENGE? (Day 1)
2. How did you practice gratitude before this challenge?
3. Was it difficult, at first, focusing on gratitude?
4. Do you feel that it got easier or harder as time went by?
5. How can you share your insight with someone else?

The Soul is multidimensional, brilliant and fragile all at once.  Take time to build a foundation of gratitude that will lead to overall peace & balance. ~Ho’omalamalama 

I’ve learned that gratitude is the oil in the mechanism of emotional stability. You can live your entire life without it but eventually your emotional gears will wear themselves out. Practicing gratitude will benefit every area of your life. It won’t take away your problems but it can open the way for perseverance and with that you can do anything.

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Look up!

Beautiful Soul – Day 20

   One day I found myself sitting in on a lecture that felt like it went on for days, as all lectures do. Then the last speaker got up to talk and his words were so prolific that I had to mentally apologize for my previous negative thoughts. (Yes, it’s true I can slip into sarcastic monologue when board out of my mind.)
Anyway… he said that abundance is like the candles on a cake while the cake itself is similar to scarcity. (Read on, it gets better.)

A cake can be divided into portions but once taken it can not be replaced therefore becoming scarce and for a few. However, one lit candle can ignite the rest without becoming less of a light in fact the opposite happens. The more candles you light the brighter it becomes which is like having an abundance mindset. (Of  course this is my interpretation, thanks Rabbi Daniel Lapin for the teaching.)

You can share gratefulness and it will never diminish your worth. This healthy soul activity will flow into your mind and body. 

But why don’t more people practice gratitude? Because it’s not a social norm. It is a life skill. And no one person or business can make millions off of something we can do for ourselves. Can you imagine the gratitude pill to end all emotional discomfort. 

Remember to practice a wholelistic fit life which is balancing the whole BEing and working the muscles of your mind, body & soul.

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PEACE Be the Journey.

Beautiful Soul – Day 19

   Maybe you’ve noticed that I usually start these BEAUTIFUL SOUL CHALLENGES with a prompt and then finish off with a quote. The purpose is to become a catalyst for your thoughts and then reaffirm it with a brilliant saying. (Usually someone else, Lol.)

You are a beautiful soul and this was created just for you. Yes it’s personal and yes it’s intentional. I want you to take five minutes and jot down what you’re grateful for and increase it over time. 

I’m going to spend…

• 5 Minutes Daily
• 15 Minutes Daily
• 20 Minutes Daily 
• 25 Minutes Daily 
• 30 Minutes Daily 

on my self care through journaling. 

You can start with gratitude post and then move onto other subjects but always take time to be grateful for something. If you don’t feel comfortable with journaling or wonder if journaling is similar to keeping a diary then here’s a post just for you: Why is a diary NOT a journal.

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Beautiful Soul – Day 18

   Was there someone who enlightened your life by something they said or did? The chances are that we’re all a product of someone’s fire who lit or rekindled the fire within us. These encounters are a gift but it wasn’t meant to stop with them. You have the ability to share and illuminate others through your goals, trials and successes.

Goals give us a human BEing connection and allows others to BElieve within themselves. We create community and are relatable. Have you ever joined something because their goal matched yours? 

Trials are necessary because without them you wouldn’t know what success feels like. As a parent I use to prevent the trials that my children faced then I learned that I was doing them a disservice. 

Success uplifts everyone, with a good heart, who watched you plan and work through your trials. This becomes the sweet tasting reward of diligence. 

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Speaking of goals do you want a healthy body? I created BEAUTIFUL BODY Challenge and it’s not what you might expect. 

Comment for connection. 

Beautiful Soul – Day 17

   Can you imagine love rushing to you? I truly believe that good things are meant for us but we are naturally pessimistic. (Perhaps not all of us.) Which means we discount good things as a whim or one-off type of situation. Then we expect a disaster to follow our good fortune. WHY DO WE DO THAT? Maybe I’m the only one but who hasn’t heard or said, “It’s the calm before the storm.” 
What if we…

• Let life happen.
• Stop labeling things bad or good.
• Prepare for love by loving ourselves first. Making self-care essential.
• Accept love in the form of kindness & complements.
• Practicing daily habits of gratitude through journaling.

I had to add, “Accept love in the form of kindness & complements” because if someone gives you a complement you don’t have to return the gesture. Just accept the good, thank them & be on your way. (If someone is fishing for a complement, by telling you one, then you know they’re not genuine and have hidden intentions. Walk away quickly.)

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Let gratitude be your focus as you let love in. 💙 Stick to your plans and you will reach your goals. 

  

(I hope you’re sticking to your workout plan.)

Beautiful Soul – Day 16

   Have you ever looked at a person and thought to yourself, “They’ve got it all.” Then you discover two things…

1. They’ve been faking it the whole time and are one twig away from breaking the camels back. In other words they’re hypocrites and are about to be discovered. -OR-
2. They’ve lived a life of dysfunction and pain but through grace they found hope and turned their life around.

Nothing is as it seems through the lens of time. If you are patient and persistent with your own dreams life will unfold the truth. I haven’t lived as long as most but my soul has been filled with the wisdom of grand & great-grandparents. Through their experiences I’ve learned so much and what they didn’t know I turned to biographical books or Google. (Yes, I’m a nerd/geek)

Be anxious for nothing…

In the beginning of this 21 Day challenge you were suppose to choose one healthy habit to adopt into your lifestyle. What was is?

Don’t feel discouraged if you didn’t perfect it yet. The main word being “YET” because all things take time. Habits must be developed and practiced. So make it a point to complete today’s healthy habit before you go to bed. (If possible)

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Beautiful Soul – Day 15

  
You might not understand the struggle while you’re in it but your endurance will lead to stronger character. It’s during the times of trial that the soul will persevere through breathe-release-believe-realize. 

Breathe: Fresh air & oxygen can move mountains while allowing possibilities to flow in.

Release: The things you can not change sounds simple but it’s a great skill to master. 

Believe: In yourself and your vision. After you accept the unchanging circumstances focus on what you can change. Make a plan & stick to it.

Realize: You’re closer to your dreams because the greatest hurdle always comes just before the finish line. Don’t give into a doubtful mind. (Try BEAUTIFUL MIND Challenge if you need better thoughts.)

  

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