Life is full of ups and downs, and things don’t always go our way.
Even the most thought-out plans can go sideways. That doesn’t mean you give up.
It just means you may have to re-route and change your path.
Channel Your Energy in a New Way
Channelling your energy into a new engaging activity can help get your mind focused on something new and positive.
Habits are great – however when we constantly do the same thing day in, and day out, we can find ourselves stuck in a rut.
Incorporating activities (big and small) into our day to day can help us look at things in a new way and re-set our motivation.
Be Kind to Yourself and Others
“Be careful how you are talking to yourself because you are listening.” – Lisa M. Hayes
The words we say to ourselves are so powerful. Even though it may not always feel like it, you have complete control over the stories you tell yourself.
A negative thought can quickly be transformed into a positive one if you allow it.
Being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others.
You have the courage within you to be kind!
Be Honest With Yourself
Not all feelings are easy to pinpoint.
When there is so much going on, acknowledging how we feel isn’t always easy.
Feelings such as disappointment, anger or sadness don’t always fade away on their own.
Often they need to be noticed and reflected upon before they leave.
The thing is, we can’t manage a feeling we don’t even know we have.
Setting aside 5 – 10 minutes a day to check in on ourselves and be completely honest about how we feel can help us become more in tune with our emotions.
The day to honor the Transgender Community was started in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, a US-based transgendered activist.
Since 2009, this movement has grown with the help of social media to recognize and honor the transgender community all around the world.
President Joe Biden officially proclaimed March 31, 2021, to be the International Transgender Day of Visibility in the United States.
This day celebrates the resilience, contributions, successes and accomplishments of the transgender community. It’s also a day to recognize the important work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates places where transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals thrive. While also acknowledging the areas of continued oppression resulting in continued work for visibility and reform.
To learn more about the history of the International Transgender Day of Visibility, take some time to explore the National Today website.
To learn more about this day and access resources you can use in your local school, take some time to explore the GLSEN website:
To learn more about the Human Rights Campaign along with resources specific to transgender individuals, explore the Human Rights Campaign website:
March is often known to be the start of a new season, where we can move out of winter and into spring. It’s also a month of bringing awareness to Development Disabilities and Deaf History Month (from March 13 – April 15).
In a world where people come in all shapes, colors and sizes, we also have variations in our developmental and physical capabilities.
Some limitations in capabilities are more noticeable and some are less obvious – yet each person learns to find a way to navigate through the intricacies of being part of society.
During the height of protests and marches in support of Black Lives Matter in 2020, diverse groups of people came together to take a unified stand on how this country, government, police, etc – need to do better when it comes to how we treat and support our black communities.
In these protests, deaf people and translators came and represented. They also took it a step further to re-language how people sign “black” (referring to the people) to make it more appropriate, empowering, and respectful.
The intersectionality of being black and deaf is a unique experience not often shared or discussed in mainstream society.
During the 2020 protests, and even before it, black deaf people were targeted and misunderstood for using sign language, mistaking them for communicating gang signs.
When protests were happening there was not enough clear warning to those of impaired hearing, inability to read lips because of masks, or other developmental disability to avoid nearness to flashbangs, gasses, and other tactics used by police forces to disperse protestors.
The argument from the other side is that these particular persons should not attend protests. It speaks to how little society allows for the integration of developmentally disabled or deaf individuals to participate as their whole self.
What does it look like to help build an environment for our fellow human beings to show up as their whole self?
We could expand our understanding and help by being an ally to their advocacy, sometimes using our voices to amplify theirs to be heard.
Here are some local agencies whose mission is to support communities with developmental disabilities.
Local agencies & resources with information and events supporting developmental disabilities:
February 28th to March 6th is Eating Disorders Awareness Week which is a time to raise awareness of eating disorders and those who have lived through the experience. A 2007 study published in Biological Psychiatry, found that 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men had anorexia during their life, 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men had bulimia during their life, and 3.5% of women and 2.0% of men had binge eating disorder during their life.
The consequences of eating disorders can be life-threatening and the stigma often associated with these disorders can impede timely diagnosis and treatment.
This week is meant to provide hope and support to the individuals and families who have been affected by eating disorders. Shining a light on the realities of eating disorders and making way for more visibility of these voices can pave the way for change.
It’s important to challenge the myths and stereotypes connected to eating disorders as well as being aware of the risk factors for developing an eating disorder, including family history, cultural ideals of thinness, perfectionism and depression or anxiety.
Having these challenging conversations about eating disorder awareness and prevention with family, friends, and peers can help us all explore the importance of self-compassion and self-esteem.
Ideas for self compassion include meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, mirror work, finding joy and asking for help
We can take time to think about body image and how we can promote more kindness to others and ourselves.
You can check out these additional resources below to learn more:
Having an open mind can help us grow, thrive and learn in so many ways.
It can also make it easier for us to respect others’ opinions and ideas.
Being curious and asking others in-depth questions can open the door to new possibilities.
Challenge Your Thoughts
We can often be more inclined to feel strongly about our thoughts and ideas because we have experienced them first hand.
However, it’s up to us to challenge ourselves daily, especially when talking with others.
To connect on a deeper level with ourselves and those around us, we can take time to see how we think about certain situations. It all comes down to putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes.
Ask Questions Often
Asking other people questions can change the way we think and feel about situations.
But in order to successfully do that, you may have to ask yourself a few questions first.
“Are there other ideas that I can consider?”
“What is influencing my opinion right now?”
“Why would someone else think differently?”
Questioning our patterns, thoughts and habits can help us look at them in new and improved ways.
Take Some Time To Think
Have you ever disagreed with a friend or family member without even taking the time to think it through?
Giving yourself some extra time to think about their feelings can make it easier for you to see the situation through their eyes.
You should always be true to yourself and do what makes you happy.
But at the same time, acknowledging others can help change your perspective and, in turn, become a more open-minded person.
“The mind that opens up to a new idea never returns to its original size.” – Albert Einstein.
Trying to fight or ignore emotions can give them even more power.
While facing and accepting them head-on can help us better understand and embrace them.
Welcome Your Emotions
Have you ever tried naming your emotions?
Certain emotions can often feel a little confusing, and it can be hard to differentiate if they are positive, negative or somewhere in between.
Take note of what your body is trying to tell you.
You can do this by assessing the situation you are in and simply stating exactly what’s on your mind.
Sometimes saying exactly what’s going on in your head out loud can help make those thoughts easier to understand.
Say Thank You
When friends come to visit us, we thank them.
Why can’t we do the same thing with our emotions?
Every emotion has something to teach us – and we can thank them for that.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re starting to get worried about a deadline at work.
You can thank your worry for keeping you on track and on top of your deadline.
After all, all feelings visit us for a reason!
Listen And Learn
Emotions do so much for us.
They can help us dig deep, stay safe, set goals and step outside our comfort zone. Taking the time to really listen to them can teach us valuable lessons.
Hello and welcome! This is a sweet version of Jen Champions yoga for heart health. Please note, for today’s practice you will need a chair. We hope you enjoy.
February is the season of romance, especially with Valentine’s Day on the 14th.
It’s a sweet celebration of love that gives us a little break from the darker days during the winter months.
This holiday offers us an opportunity to show our loved ones how much we appreciate them. We can foster our connections and strengthen our relationships by expressing this love to our family, friends, and community.
Before exploring this idea of celebrating love, let us revisit the folklore around Valentine’s Day.
Legend has it that St. Valentine was a Roman Christian priest who performed marriages of young lovers to keep the men from being sent off to war.
When political authorities discovered that St. Valentine was doing this, he was imprisoned and martyred. Stories say he met the jailor’s daughter and fell in love with her. Then before his execution on February 14, 1269, he gave her a letter signed, “Your Valentine.”
Even after all years, this salutation lives on today.
We celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving our loved ones notes, flowers, and other gifts to remind them we care. Even exchanging dark chocolate is a traditional and contemporary gift good for health!
But our gifts can also go beyond material items.
Respect is also a gift to be fostered and shared. Having respect for others and for ourselves can lead us on the path of inner satisfaction and unconditional love.
When we respect ourselves, we can communicate and connect in kinder ways.
These qualities are gifts we can share with our companions and they contribute to the philosophy of “love thy neighbor.”
A hug is another gift that can be shared. By wrapping our arms around someone and holding them close, we can show them how much they mean to us.
This sincere gesture is good for our health as well. Science reveals that hugs lower stress hormones and blood pressure.
A hug held for 20 seconds releases oxytocin, a hormone referred to by scientists as the “cuddle hormone.” And a self-hug offers the same benefits while giving a nice stretch to the shoulders and upper back.
This Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to cherish yourself and others.
Thich Nhat Hanh expressed this beautifully when he said, “The teachings on love given by the Buddha are clear, scientific, and applicable… Love, compassion, joy, and equanimity are the very nature of an enlightened person. They are the four aspects of true love within ourselves and within everyone and everything.”
We can begin to lead with respect and love everywhere we go. It is vital to our overall well-being to live in a society that uplifts one another.
Want to incorporate more love into your everyday life?
Practice caring for yourself and loved ones: Cultivate self-awareness and appreciation by supporting others. This may be done through massage, therapeutic touch, pressure point therapy, mudras, positive affirmations, poems, music, and meditation.
Get comfortable with empathy: Relate to others by holding onto compassion during differences of opinion.
Listen to yourself to receive heartfelt affirmations: Affirmations are a positive forward-directed truth that we can connect with deeply. Create a paper heart of any style and write the affirmation on it. From here, we can write it repeatedly or create a tally to keep track every time we re-embrace these affirmations.
Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, friendship, and admiration.
But love can come in many forms. It is not just about romance, but about showing care to those around you.
Love can be shared between family, friends, peers, and within ourselves.
With that being said, we encourage you to make room for self-compassion this month (and every month).
Here’s how…
Self Care
Having a spa day and pampering ourselves can be a great way to relax. You can eliminate distractions and refocus your attention on how you feel by treating yourself.
You can light some scented candles, draw a bath, or read a book you love.
Reach Out to Loved Ones
Connecting with the people who love us can be a way to give love back to ourselves.
Reminding ourselves of the people who are there for us can reinforce our self-love.
You can take a moment to call an old friend or video chat with a family member who makes you smile.
Do What You Love
Doing more of the things you love can give you a healthy outfit to explore your interests. You can either participate in activities you know you love or take the opportunity to try something new.
“To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.” – Robert Morley.
