Onward & Upward! Together

Dear Lead with Love Friends,

FEBRUARY CHECK-IN

Last month we committed to being in stride together on a year of self-care and wellness practices. Like many people, I found myself dealing with a heightened level of stress mid-January as the tensions in our country continued to rise and the uncertain path of the pandemic became more acute with a stalled out vaccine program and rising numbers of COVID infections and deaths. I was very grateful for the tools of meditation, deep breathing, physical movement and a network of friends in whom I could find support and camaraderie.

I am happy to report that February brings with it a renewed sense that things are starting to move in the right direction. The pandemic numbers are steadily decreasing and it appears there is an investment being made in the national vaccine program.

Internally, we here at Lead With Love have enjoyed refining our Love In Action program and are very excited about the continued growth of that program and what we are going to offer to the community in the coming months.

And in my personal wellness journey, I have found that adopting some health-based routines and rituals has created a sense of order in my life even in the midst of what is still a very odd and uncertain time. Probably the most profound action I have taken is deepening my commitment to consistent and quality sleep (as we touched on last month). My daughter and I have both started our nighttime routines of tooth and skincare at 9pm (7 nights a week) so that we are in our beds with a good book to read by 9:30. As I’ve been treating my body to a regular timeline, it has begun rewarding me by falling asleep by 10pm and awakening refreshed between 5:30 and 6:00am each morning. I admit that the first few nights I tossed a bit as my body adjusted to this forced bedtime. But within a week, I felt I was tuned in to my actual energetic levels and was craving turning off my devices and curling up for story time before feeling the welcome heaviness of sleep closing my lids.

And so, it was this one, crucial commitment on which I focused myself for about 4 weeks. It takes at least that long for a habit to become firmly automated and entrenched in one’s routine. That said, I again encourage you to be gentle with yourself and to identify just one or two wellness practices to fully integrate into your life before taking on something new. For me, sleep was a no-brainer. It is an efficient way to calibrate the body’s various systems and to gain the energy needed for other endeavors like exercise, meditation and healthy eating. Below are a couple healthy body and mind tips and a little dose of inspiration.

I hope 2021 is treating all of you well and as always, I welcome your feedback and any parts of your own experiences that you would like to share.

Drink Inflammation Good-Bye with Celery Juice

This green drink is made from affordable ingredients and packs a big anti-inflammatory punch.

Some of us are predisposed to inflammation. From acid reflux to red eyes to overly rosy cheeks, we can easily get flushed and overheated both inside and out when stressed out or lax with our nutrition. These are all symptoms of inflammation and it means the immune system is in overdrive.

Along with other lifestyle shifts, I have found celery juice to be an amazing beverage for cooling and cleansing my body. It has a mild flavor (in my opinion) and is quick and easy to make with the right juicer. Just a quick note on juicers — I used to own juice fountain that used metal blades to separate the pulp from the juice. It was affordable to purchase and it worked well, for a time. However, after a few months of regular use, the blades dulled and the volume of juice I could get out of the veggies was decreased significantly. My mother in law turned me onto what is called a “masticating” juicer. Using a powerful motor and an auger mechanism that isn’t dependent on blades, I have been juicing with my Omega for over 6 years and it works as well now as it did the first day.

Celery Juice 101

Drink in the morning on an empty stomach.
It’s preferred to have just celery juice (no mixer) but a more palatable recipe is below for people who find the juice alone not as appetizing.
It’s considered a tonic for the liver and helps to clean the blood and improve the bile (digestive juices) in the body.
It’s most potent when you drink it freshly juiced but is good for up to 24 hours after juicing. Store it covered and refrigerated.
Further Reading: Medical Medium Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine of Our Time Healing Millions Worldwide by Anthony William
I drink a glass of juice almost every day. I tend to make a 2 day batch for my family and refrigerate it overnight so I only have to juice every other day.

Simple Celery Juice Recipe

2 bunches organic celery
1 organic apple
1 lemon (rind removed)
Servings - about 3

**Start Using Your Voice**

Amanda Gorman has become a household name since her moving appearance at the Presidential Inauguration. She is clearly an exceptional poet and activist but she is also a model of courage. Amanda shows us that age is just a number when it comes to leadership.
*From her website* - Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Sociology. She has written for the New York Times and has three books forthcoming with Penguin Random House.
Listen to Amanda’s TED Talk , Using Your Voice Is A Political Choice.
Pre-order her upcoming book, The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country.

Try Positive Self Talk

Every single human has that inner dialogue that seems to run non-stop.

When we are absorbed in a task, it may quiet down slightly but the messaging is ever present as it seems to narrate our day to day activities. In the moments when we slow down, we might notice that voice turning up the volume and taking us further down the rabbit holes of its ruminations. The majority of this self-talk is a part of our problem solving process. We try out possible scenarios for the future and even reflect on past decisions.

Unfortunately, our brains are skewed towards negativity. This is a throwback to a survival mechanism that kept ancient humans from physical danger. We would hear a rustling in the bushes and were wired to assume it was a predator rather than a harmless rabbit. So, you may notice that your inner voice spends a lot of time waiting for the other shoe to drop or even second guessing every choice you make. While we may be inclined toward these darker thoughts, it is possible to consciously shift the dialogue and reap the benefits of a more uplifting tone.

Try to do this exercise just once or twice a week to begin retraining your brain.

Set aside about 20 minutes for this activity. You will need a journal and pen.

Find a comfortable seat, as you would for meditation, and close your eyes. Reflect on your prior day and the various encounters you had, decisions you had to make, and tasks that you attempted or completed. Remember how you felt in those moments. Notice anytime you were doubtful, insecure or even just at a crossroads trying to make a choice or solve a dilemma. Write down any of the negative inner dialogue that you recall from that day or even what your mind is saying right now as you are in reflection. Try to come up with about 10 statements or quotes from that self-talk.

Examples might be:

I’m a fraud.
I don’t know if this strategy will work.
What if I’m wrong?
There’s no way I can make this deadline.
They will think this is a stupid idea.

Now, take your time to reframe each sentence:

I’m an authentic person.
I’m making the best decision possible with the information available to me.
I trust that this is the best choice.
I will prioritize this task and do my best to meet my timeline or to ask for more time if needed.
People are consulting me because they value my expertise and respect my opinion.

Engaging in positive self-talk is not intended to mask reality or create delusions. It is simply an effort to more closely examine reality and acknowledge the truth of the situation from all angles. It calms the mind and shifts your perspective to an empowered place. You may see opportunities that were previously clouded by your negative inner dialogue. You might also feel more inclined to seek help rather than to feel overwhelmed and isolated.

Practice positive self-talk once or twice each week and over time you will begin noticing the negative thoughts and more quickly shift in a proactive stance.

Recommended - Love In Action Our Fragile Democracy

It is through caring for our selves that we find the courage, strength and motivation to meet each day with purpose. Our program, Love In Action, is all about showing up to do what needs to be done on behalf of humanity. So, please, do fill your cup -- and then advocate for those who may not be so fortunate.

in gratitude and service,

Jess

Jess Ewart has been teaching yoga and meditation for 15 years. She completed her 500AWC at Kerala Ayurveda Academy in 2011 and she's been a proud member of the Lead With Love family for almost 6 years.