Tuning In 10.11.2021

Each week I post an update called Tuning In on what I'm up to and ideas for grounding, connection, and discovering vitality in your life. Most of the links on this post are informational only, but a few are affiliate links that help me keep up my website. 

Events:
Facilitating: Center for Chronic Illness - Living with Thyroid Eye Disease Support Group Saturday, October 16th, 2021 at 9am PST
October 11th is Indigenous Peoples' Day 
​October 11th is National Coming Out Day 
October 17th is Black Poetry Day 
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, LGBT History Month, National ADHD Awareness Month, National Book Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, National Domestic Violence Month, and Vegetarian Month 

Ideas for Grounding: When people are in shock they often describe themselves as feeling cold, so we want to move toward things that are warm: the sun on your face, a warm cup of tea, a heating pad, a shower or bath... What does your body feel like when it feels warm? Where in your body do you feel it?   

Ideas for Connection: Many of us live far distances from our loved ones, but there are numerous ways to communicate across the miles: phone calls, emails, texts, FaceTime, Zoom...the list goes on. Take a moment to remember all of your options and reach out when you are feeling a lack of connection. 
​
Ideas for Creating Vitality: How often do you turn on music and dance around your house? Joyful movement is a straight line between you and your innate vitality. It loosens your muscles and helps your body break free of fixed action patterns. May I suggest starting with the Britney Spears song I've included below. 

Why grounding, connection, and vitality? Because these are the ways we regulate the nervous system. Spending intentional time in a regulated state allows our nervous system to wire in the direction of safety and aliveness. In other words, it's a big piece of the puzzle of how we repair the survival response of trauma.

Mukilteo Lighthouse in Mukilteo, Washington

What I'm Reading Related for Therapy: What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD & Oprah Winfrey

"Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry discuss the impact of trauma and adversity and how healing must begin with a shift to asking 'What happened to you?' rather than 'What's wrong with you?'" 

Relational and Body-Centered Practices for Healing Trauma: Lifting the Burdens of the Past by Sharon Stanley 

My Somatic Transformation consultation group is re-reading this book and doing a study group. Every time I pick up this book, I discover something new. 

What I'm Reading for Fun: The Bowl of Light by Hank Wesselman, PhD. 

"Ancestral Wisdom from a Hawaiian Shaman." 

(I'm a proud member of the sloth reading club, so what I'm reading will not change weekly.) ​

TV Show or Movie I'm Watching: The Morning Show on AppleTV

Song on Repeat: "[I've Just Begun] Having My Fun" by Britney Spears 
​
Projects I'm Working On: Self-development book on trauma and worthiness, book of poetry, ongoing content for various publications. Considering next steps in career training—psychedelic assisted therapy, biblio/poetry therapy training, or yoga teacher training. ​

Mukilteo Lighthouse Beach Park

Poem: 

Island
Langston Hughes

Wave of sorrow,
Do not drown me now:

I see the island
Still ahead somehow.

I see the island
And its sands are fair:
​
Wave of sorrow,
Take me there.
​
Meme of the Week:

Quote of the Week: "As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see." - Vincent van Gogh

​I'd love to hear how you are grounding, connecting, and creating vitality. What is helping you feel calm and alive? Or comment below on what books, podcasts, songs, shows, poetry, or quotes are resonating with you right now.  ​