Passionately Being Thankful and

Building Your Tree of Life

*This newsletter is dedicated to the loving memory of my father, Howard Siegal who passed away 2 years ago around Thanksgiving – a man who taught me everything I know about loving & and living each day with gratitude, forgiveness, celebration for life, and treasuring relationships. May his memory continue to be a blessing*

Gratitude Begins with Loving Kindness, Compassion, and Unconditional Acceptance for Ourselves First, and then Toward Others.

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Viktor Frankl

At Thanksgiving time, we yearn for the resources within us to feel a true sense of being “thankful”, happy, and calm, yet many find that the explosive launch of the holiday season, family dynamics, cooking, shopping, traveling, and missing those no longer with us, can get in the way.

How do we access this precious resource of pure gratitude and “THANKS” through the noise of life? Gratitude lists are always useful, but sometimes feel inauthentic or forced. Rather, I suggest we begin by focusing on ourselves so that our emotional reserves are full to nourish the hearts and souls of both ourselves and those we love during Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Let’s call this “The Art and Gift of Self-Compassion and Self-Care” - it is a great place to begin.

Here are 5 tips that are considered primary ingredients of happiness, well-being, and fulfillment - something to be Thankful for!

1. Unconditional Self-Acceptance: This is where you separate yourself from your actions, status, performance, and credentials. Accepting that you are a fallible human being and far from perfect is key. Accept yourself without judgment. Yes – not always easy. Spend 2 minutes twice a day just “being with yourself” with no inner critic.
2. Self-Compassion: What would you say to a friend who faced a struggle? Self-compassion happens when you extend this same understanding and encouragement to yourself in the face of perceived inadequacy, failure or general suffering. Try it.
3. The Power of Choice: The realization that you can actually create your own suffering or joy is a great gift. You may not be in control of what happens in your life or how others behave, but you have a say in how you choose to react and the choices you make in what you tell yourself."I’m enough, I matter, I did the best I can, I have choices" are a few positive beliefs you may adopt. Choose one that fits.
4. Be Resilient: We can learn to own and adapt to our experiences, adversity, challenges, disappointments, and losses. The strategies of seeking support, helping others, connecting with nature, music, meditation, dance, and exercise - to name only a few build this muscle in us. Choose your strategy.
5. A Growth Mindset: Learning new things and being uncomfortable with uncertainty and vulnerability is paramount to growth. It is OK not to be good at things, to know that with practice and work you can build competency and confidence. Struggle leads to growth. Notice how the struggle and discomfort subside and get replaced with pride and satisfaction in learning something new. “Feel the fear and do it anyway” – You won’t be sorry. Name one thing you want to learn but have been too afraid to try.

Building Your "Tree of Life" Unlocks Your Inner Freedom and Courage to Live Fully and Impact with Purpose

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” Viktor Frankl

At the end of each year engaging in this activity sets in motion your vision for what lies ahead. If you had a tough year or want more from life, this is the perfect jump start for you. This beautiful exercise is adapted by Denborough and Cartwright.

Why so important for women? As women, caregiving is a loving, accepted, and intuitive aspect of our lives and is certainly intrinsic to motherhood. Being "other-focused" and "of service" to our families and/or aging parents for years and often decades often leads to the subtle yet painful disappearance of our own vitality, essence, and confidence. Since this role is accepted and expected of women - no one notices that your essence has slipped beneath the surface. Even by those who love of the most. We wonder, where did I go? Who am I? What is my purpose and meaning for my own life outside of caregiving? You can love and care for your family and yes - live with purpose, mission, and impact - here is a great way to return the focus toward your own wellbeing and access your best self.

  How to Build Your Tree of Life

Draw a picture of a tree on a poster board or piece of paper and flush out each component using different color markers each of these 9 components to design the life you want to live. Use colored markers and have fun!

Identify 3 attainable strategies to nourish each dimension of your life....” free-think” with no inhibitions. Go ahead and dream it.

Roots: Nourishing Your Soul with Self-Care, Spirituality, and Mental Health

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Ground: Nurturing Relationships: How Can You Build Deeper Connections

to Family and Friends? (creating quality time, reconciling rifts, reaching out to someone whom you miss in your life, saying I love you, writing notes and sending them as just a few examples)

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Trunk: Choosing Joyful Ways to Add Movement and Connection to Care Actively for Your Physical Body and Health

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Branches of Tree: Consider Professional Activities and Learning Opportunities That Will Stimulate Your Intellectual Curiosity, 

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Leaves: Connection and Community. End Isolation and Loneliness by Becoming Part of Communities that Bring You Joy. When in doubt just Sign Up!

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Fruit: Identify Caregiving Priorities to Those in Your Life Who are in Need or to Repair Relationships that Need Attention or Nurturing - but Make Sure Self Care, Setting Limits and Boundaries for Yourself are Built In. 

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Flower and Seeds: Happiness, Fun, Joy, Adventure and Inspiration - What Makes Your Heart Sing? Travel, Seeing Friends, Attending Theater and Museums, Art Classes, Bike Clubs, Dancing etc... To Name a Few - Think About What Would Revitalize Your Spirit.

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Sky: Create your Mission Statement (including values and drive for impact in your life and choose activities to support your mission)

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COMPOST HEAP: Identify what you DONT want in your life (past trauma, loss, abuse, social pressure, toxic relationships etc.) Throw out negative images of yourself and anything else you do not want to define you in the future. 

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Have fun using creativity, color and imagination as you design your Authentic Life. Hang up your tree to remind you of the potential richness of your life. 

This is a great activity to do with a friend, partner or family to create more authentic and intimate connections.

SAVE THE DATE!

DECEMBER 12th 6-8 PM

OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE CELEBRATION

WORK LIKE A MOTHER®: REWRITING THE SCRIPT FOR A MOTHER'S CAREER AND WELLNESS JOURNEY

GRATEFULLY HONORING YOU! THE WOMEN OF THE WORK LIKE A MOTHER® COMMUNITY, SUPPORTERS, FRIENDS & FAMILY 

Located at the beautiful Kerri Rosenthal Gallery and Store in Westport,Ct .https://www.kerrirosenthal.com/

Invite Coming to You Soon.

Mark Your Calendar for December 12th!

My Book

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