"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there."

-Rumi

Hello Sheila,

Happy Beltane and first of May!

Beltane marks the halfway point between equinox and solstice. And wow, it has arrived so fast. This year is seems to be passing through like a bullet train. Are you feeling it? I hope that you've been able to find grounded moments in the midst of the fast moving energies.

Mark this newsletter and share it with friends.

It contains lots of useful information for May including menu ideas, calendar, and monthly challenges. I love writing these newsletters to mark the journey through the year and each new month.

Welcome to all new subscribers. I send these emails out at the first of each month to mark our journey through the year and maintain on our path of health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit.

Spring is in full swing now. We are finally packing up our heavy coats and sweaters and getting some sunshine on our skin! Yay vitamin D! As May begins we are already in Taurus season and we are seeing blossoms all around us, a joyful sight following the winter and early spring. Taurus is ruled by Venus representing beauty is also an Earth sign signalling us to get grounded, be present, and experience all of our senses. Get outside and experience the new life blossoming all around.

Last week I spent some time in the Lake District in northwest England in preparation for a client overnight. What a beautiful region with some clear days, fresh air, and all of the trees filling in the landscape. There were some train delays to deal with (...England!) and unexpected discoveries on the trails I had chosen. It could have been quite discouraging, but each situation required coming into the present moment, releasing previous expectations, and adjusting. In the end, I revised a schedule that was even better than the original one I had planned. That was only possible by being open to the actual experience that I was having rather than remaining attached to the initial idea for the days.

We are dealing with interactions and situations all day every day. We have been trained to make quick judgments on what we are experiencing. This black and white assessment no longer makes sense the way it used to. Taking a moment to be present and consider what is really going on offers a great return on investment moving forward.

The focus of the month is: NEUTRALITY.

We continue our journey this year through the themes of COURAGE - REST - RELEASE & INNER TRUST, and this month we take a deeper dive. As we interact with these aspects in our lives one by one capturing the unique energies of each season, we learn and grow as the cycles repeat. It's such an exciting opportunity each month to celebrate an active engagement with the natural flow around us.

I say it every month and I'll say it again, we are in a time of so much information - and misinformation. Tuning into our intuition is more important than ever. We must also recognize that there is is often a lot more to everything than meets the eye. A conscious practice of neutrality works in tandem with intuition to guide us to the greatest potential.

Neutrality is the practice of meeting each moment without immediate judgment - without labeling experiences, people or situations as good or bad, right or wrong. This mindset invites curiosity, grace, patience, and trust into our lives. It creates space. Space to pause. To breathe. To shift perspective.

What comes to mind when you think about Neutrality? Switzerland? Beige? Vanilla? It's easy to associate neutrality with blandness or passivity, but in reality it allows a clean slate, a way through. There is strength in the stillness of the pause before responding.

What about the rugged mountain that is climbed to arrive at the top with the extraordinary views and sense of accomplishment. Would the elation be the same is the path had been easy? It's interesting that the most difficult things in the moment often end up being points of great learning and growth in hindsight. Is it possible to understand that during the experience? Instead of saying, "This is so hard" or, "I hate this steep trail" what if we say, "This is teaching me something" or "This is making me stronger".

I've been exploring neutrality for some time without really knowing it or naming it. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am very uncomfortable with superlative questions; those in my book club can certainly confirm this!! If there is a best, then that means there must be a worst. Maybe we are ready to move beyond that polarity.

We've been very conditioned to evaluate things a certain way for better or worse. Yes, pun intended! How do we think about the food we eat? Our bodies? The weather? A traffic jam? We want to eat better and be healthier, but what does that really mean? Are carbs bad? Is protein the answer? Body positivity is loving the body no matter what. Body neutrality is recognizing all the great uses of the body and also where attention is needed. Is it bad that it's raining or is that just the way it is today? Maybe the traffic jam slowed us down and protected us from getting into a severe accident. There are so many things that we rush to make judgment on throughout each day.The only thing we can be certain of in each moment is that moment.

Nothing is inherently good or bad. In the the present moment, everything simply is.

One of my favorite illustrations of this comes from the classic Buddhist tale, the "Maybe" story:

A Villager's horse runs away. "What bad luck," the neighbors say. He replies, "Maybe."

The horse returns with a group of wild horses. "What good luck!" Again, he replies, "Maybe."

The son breaks his leg taming the horses. "Terrible news," the villagers say. "Maybe," he responds.

Days later, soldiers arrive to draft young men into the army. His son is spared. "Such good fortune!" Again, "--Maybe."

The lesson is profound; we never really know the outcome that present moment events are leading us to. Therefore, we should be very considered when making any judgment or categorization. Neutrality is needed.

The practice of neutrality is not about apathy or indifference, it's about moving forward from a place of inner clarity rather than reaction.

We remain in a time of radical self-care of body, mind, and spirit. In these challenging times, this is no longer a luxury, no longer optional, it is the way through each day.

This kind of self-care is taking corrective actions before problems further develop. Our bodies and emotions are giving us feedback every day and we have a lot of tools to keep ourselves in balance. We can only be our best when we have health, clarity, and vitality in our whole selves. This is not a year to "push through" and "no pain no gain". It's a year to tune in and take the next action.

I invite you to check out the content on my website where you will find blog posts on a variety of relevant topics as well as past newsletters. Share this with friends who you think would be interested, supported and inspired.

May your month be blessed and your growing practice of neutrality bring light and harmony in your life, your family, and your community.

Cheers,

Sheila

sheila@sheilascoaching.com

p.s. May is the beginning of graduation season. Congratulations to all the graduates and families in this exciting milestone and moving into the next chapter.

Announcements:

Newsletter Update - In the coming months I will be revising the newsletter to a paid subscription format. There will continue to be a free abbreviated edition with the full content edition being subscription based. Thank you to those who have provided supportive feedback towards moving in this direction.

1:1 Clients will continue through the summer. Get in touch now to get started moving closer to your goals. I typically work with clients for one to three months with check-ins every other week. Referrals welcome. Click here for description of services.

Other Services: in addition to 1:1 health coaching I am available on a consulting basis for the following:

• Meal planning and family meal planning
• Recipe revisions for specific dietary requirements
• Menu planning for parties with option to include food preparation
• Country walks for groups in Southern England
• Group presentations in person or virtually

Reply to this email or send an email to sheila@sheilascoaching.com to schedule a free initial consultation and get started.

1:1 Health Coaching

These sessions are customized and client led. I don't have a "program" to sign up for. That wouldn't make sense because we are all different and living in dynamic environments and communities. Many are also responsible for health and wellness of a family. There are dozens of routes you could take to navigate health challenges, and you need to know which one will work best for you and your situation. It's the simple tweaks that can really move the needle here and they might be in your blind spot. A health coach can dial in the best place to start.



Have you tried diet and lifestyle options before opting for a medication with risk of side effects?

Diet and lifestyle adjustments are the long game. While it can seem overwhelming at first because these monumental shifts involve habits and even our emotions connected to food.

All of my work is totally bespoke to you and your specific and unique situation. I partner with you on your health journey and explore how to incorporate the best health practices into your life with minimal disruption and maximum impact.

I have a track record of experience supporting clients to the feeling of freedom that comes making empowered choices for your health and living out all the positive benefits.

Click here to schedule a free consultation and take that first step.

All of my work is totally bespoke to you and your group. Email me at sheila@sheilascoaching.com to discuss how we can work together.

Featured Blog Post: Eckhart Tolle in London

In 2019 I had the opportunity to attend an Eckhart Tolle talk in London. While he doesn't specifically use the word neutrality, it very clearly teaches about how our conditioned responses to our situations take us away from the essence of the present moment.

MAY

Focus of the Month: NEUTRALITY

1 May - Beltane/May Day - The Pagan Fire Sabat Beltane occurs half way between the Spring Solstice and the Summer Equinox. The light and warmth from the sun will accelerate in coming weeks. Celebrate the new growth and season of fertility.

5 May - Cinco de Mayo - In the U.S and parts of Mexico, 5 de mayo (May 5) is often celebrated commemorating the victory at the Battle of Puebla of the Mexican military against the French led by Napoleon III in the year 1862. While it has become quite commercialized in recent decades, it's an opportunity to celebrate the colorful and vibrant culture of our neighbors to the south and many of them U.S. citizens themselves. Have your own celebration and make homemade Mexican Pico de Gallo for this month's featured menu.

5 May - UK Bank Holiday

11 May - Mother's Day - USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, South Africa, Fiji, and dozens more countries around the globe

12 May - Full Moon - a time to reflect and express gratitude for the fullness and blessings in your life.

20 May - Gemini season begins - Gemini is an air sign and ruled by Mercury the messenger. we become more social, curious, extroverted, interactive, and even full of ideas. Gemini season brings the final weeks of spring and preparation to move into the next season so we start feeling some of that transitional energy.

26 May- New Moon - a new moon represents a fresh start, an opening, a beginning.

26 May - Memorial Day - USA

26 May - UK Bank Holiday

Stillness and reflections in the Lake District, England, last week.

Challenges of the month - NEUTRALITY

"The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking."

-Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

The body, mind, and spirit are all connected. Many things will support more than one simultaneously. Also, when we focus on one area we may find ourselves uplifted in other areas as well. In terms of focusing on neutrality, it is very much about awareness of thought patterns, understanding where they are coming from, and moving from immediate reaction to considered and inspired action.

Choose one challenge focus on for yourself this month, one that most resonates for you and may make the greatest impact for yourself. Do it everyday. Practice self-compassion.

Bonus - respond to this email and let me know which one you are focusing on!

Body - Mind - Spirit

• Start the day with neutrality. Sit in stillness for 5 minutes at the start of each day. Move through the day with a sense of presence.
• Scan your body for areas of physical tension. Recognize where the tension may be coming from (i.e. hectic morning, challenging work project, difficult conversation or email). Breathe, relax, and release the tension.
• Practice "neutral eating" by not labeling any food as good or bad.
• Reframe highly judgmental thoughts like "this is terrible or "this is great" to "What could this be teaching me?" or "Is there a message for me in this situation?"
• For any recurring trigger, ask yourself, "What would neutrality look like here?"
• Create a neutral rest space before sleep. For 30 minutes, unplug from all devices, do gentle movement and stretching, journal, light a candle, be still. Allow space to release the day.
• At the end of each day, write down one moment when you acted from neutrality rather than reactivity or bias.

The purpose of these monthly challenges is to create new neural pathways and establish habits that support living our best and highest version of our lives. This happens in body, mind, and spirit.

Stay hydrated and get plenty of protein to have energy throughout the day and support all cellular processes, to make good decisions, have healthy digestion, muscle recovery, and so much more.

I love focusing on just a couple of things at a time. Remember this is about building strong foundations one brick at a time. Continue to stay well hydrated, get plenty of movement throughout the day, don't skimp on sleep, and practice gratitude.

MENU OF THE MONTH:

While we are focusing on neutrality this month, it's a good time to notice your emotional relationship with food. Are carbs bad and protein good? MAYBE

Each day the situation may require a different meal according to our activities, the weather, our hormone cycle, social occasions, and more. We live in a dynamic environment that is continually changing.Various foods have their role for each of us or have had their role in the past.

In general, it's best to eat any meal with gratitude while taking pleasure in the nourishment. These emotions stimulate optimal functioning of hormone and cellular circuitry. On the other hand, emotions of guilt, doubt, worry, or fear actually down regulate cellular function and even impede proper digestion.

Take a moment to check in with your body each day or for a particular meal and ask your body the question, "what do you need to be nourished today?" And then trust the feedback you receive.

These menus are meant for you to adapt them to your likes and preferences and what fits best into your life and your regular meals. They are a framework to be adjusted.

The month of May brings warmer weather and longer days, and that will likely be reflected in a shifting menu this month. Heavy stews and roasts are no longer on the menu.

Breakfast:

Scrambled eggs

Cottage Cheese

Sliced tomato

Lunch:

Pesto Chicken salad with arugula and radishes

2 dates with walnuts or almonds

Snack: Strawberries & Cream

Dinner:

Burrito Bowl or Taco Salad with guacamole and pico de gallo

Fresh Mango Slices

After dinner/bedtime beverage:

Hibiscus Tea or Fresh Mint Tea with honey

Get in touch if you would like more menu support or would like a specific recipe.

Email me at sheila@sheilascoaching.com

"When the mind is quiet, everything becomes sacred." -Adyashanti

Want to receive this weekly email directly into your inbox?

Sign up here and you'll be on the list!