Written by April Saunders, Blogger April Saunders is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Public Health. She runs Eats by April - a website dedicated to helping busy moms easily break free from gluten so they can finally feel like themselves again. In my years of experience as a Registered Dietitian and my own experience going gluten-free, there are some pretty common slip-ups I’ve seen and have done myself when people try to go gluten-free. Here are the top 7 mistakes people make and how you can sidestep them all.   1. They tell no one This has got to be one of the biggest mistakes that I see people make when they first go gluten-free. (Honestly, it was one that I did too.)   The number 1 mistake that people make when they go gluten-free is that they don’t tell anyone they’re making this change. It would be like if you got a new car and told no one, or you got a new job and told no one. You would never do that!   So why would you start a whole new way of eating that affects so many aspects of your life, the food you buy, where you go out to eat, what you can eat when out with friends, and tell absolutely no one?   Here’s the thing: telling no one, i.e., not even telling your partner, spouse, kids, parents, or dog (Ok, maybe not your dog) that you’re going gluten-free doesn’t help the people you love help you! Because when you don’t give your loved ones a heads up about your new way of eating, it can be harder for them to adjust to your new way of eating.   Even if they aren’t themselves going gluten-free, if you don’t tell the people that you live with that you’re going gluten-free, it can be a bit of a shock and cause some disappointment in some cases too. Now, there’s a new kind of pasta in the house; soy sauce is off-limits, and that favorite pizza place doesn’t have a gluten-free crust, so forget about Friday Pizza Nights there!   Not letting your family or friends in on your new way of eating can not only throw a bit of a wrench into their ways of eating but can also mean you might have less support than if you just got them on board before you threw out all the Oreos.   What to do instead Tell everyone! Well, at the very least, let the important people in your life know that you are going gluten-free and why. Let them know that you might need their support along the way and you really look forward to discovering new foods with this dietary change. Ask them if they have any questions or invite them to try along with you. It’s a lot easier to implement a new way of eating with the people in your household if they are doing it as well. But even if they’re not gonna go gluten-free, at least having them know that you’re doing it makes it a lot easier for everyone involved.   2. They don’t plan (not even a little) The second biggest mistake I see people make when they first go gluten-free is that they declare they’re gluten-free one day, and then just jump right in. No gluten-free cold turkey.   This can be problematic for a few reasons, mainly because they feel like they have nothing to eat! Without any planning, you end up eating grilled chicken breast and iceberg lettuce meal after meal, and that can get tiring really quickly.   People will also feel overwhelmed because everything that they want to eat is off-limits, but they don’t know what to have instead.   And forget about going to a restaurant or someone else’s house. That’s something they can’t even get their head around because they haven’t chatted with the host (see Mistake number 1) and have no suggestions for what they could have instead of the Fettuccine Alfredo she’s planning on serving. So people just end up politely declining invitations, citing some lame excuse.   Bottom line: Not planning ahead, even a little, when you go gluten-free is a surefire way to be gluten-free for about a hot minute. And then throw in the towel because you feel like it’s way too hard (because that way is!)   What to do instead When you’re first thinking about going gluten-free, figure out a few things before you dive in. Things like replacing the typical gluten-based starches in your diet. Think about the pasta, the bread, the cereals, etc. What will you eat instead? Buy a few brands and try them out to see which one you like the best.   It can also be helpful to go through your cupboards and your fridge and just get rid and give away any ingredients, condiments, sauces, dressings, and baking ingredients that contain gluten and replace them with gluten-free alternatives. That way you won’t be tempted to use any of those ingredients in a pinch. See   How to Make Your Favorite Recipes Gluten-Free   Once you’ve gone through the foods in your house, think about any upcoming invitations to friends' houses that you have in the calendar. Can you chat with them ahead of time and see if they can accommodate you? If that’s not an option, you could take a chance and just eat the available gluten-free options or just make sure you have some food before you go.   For restaurants, if possible, look at the menu online and call ahead to the restaurant. Most rest reputable places will be able to let you know how extensive their menu is for gluten-free options and if they have other gluten-friendly practices, i.e., do they have a separate fryer for gluten-free items?   Getting your head about the implementation of going gluten-free with a little bit of planning will go a long way to set yourself up for success in the long run.   3. They make other significant dietary changes at the same time So you’re having stomach issues, you find yourself running to the bathroom a lot, you have brain fog, skin issues, etc. and you think it might be gluten.   But you also wonder: could it be something else? Could you be sensitive to dairy? What about soy? You’ve heard nightshades are horrible for people.   So you figure, why not just cut out any and all possible offenders at once? Overnight! Efficient right?   Unfortunately, not so much.   What I see happen most often with this approach is extreme frustration with the whole process and people give up on or around Day 2.   And that’s because it’s really hard to not only make 1 significant change to your diet - but 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5). Cutting out, say, gluten, dairy, soy, onions, and garlic all at once takes planning, some prep, and definitely some support from someone who’s done it before.   Without that, you’re gonna quickly learn that there are so many potential offenders for your tummy troubles and trying to tackle them at once is not a walk in the park.   When you cut out not only gluten but other foods and food products that are just typical foods for you, it can be really challenging to get not only enough food but enough nutrition, too.   And if that wasn’t enough, if you cut too many things at once, you won’t know what’s causing your issue when you do end up reintroducing foods.   What to do instead Pick one food (or ingredient) to eliminate at a time. If you suspect gluten, start there. Track your food intake and track your symptoms. Do this for two weeks. Then re-introduce just that one thing: you cut out gluten and notice if any of your symptoms change. Do this for each of the foods that you think might be causing you an issue.   4. They ignore their mindset OK, you might wonder why someone would have to consider their mindset when going gluten-free. It’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough, but it’s so important because it’s true what Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.”   In my experience, ignoring how you actually think about the dietary change, tends to throw a wrench into even the best-laid plans.   The mindset can go both ways; either extreme can be a problem.   Here’s what I mean: a lot of people I’ve seen who try to go gluten-free will go through the motions of going gluten-free. They might tell a few people, they might even do a bit of prep, but in their heart of hearts, they honestly think it’s not gonna work. They really don’t think it’s something they’re gonna be able to stick to.   They might not say this to themselves, but the truth is, even though they feel overwhelmed, they feel like they should at least give it a try.   On the other hand, and this was the case for me, people sometimes think it’ll be super easy!   So for people with this mindset, they don’t tell anybody, they don’t prepare and they don’t set themselves up for success because they take for granted how going gluten-free successfully does take a little bit of preparation (see points above).   But in either scenario, whether you think it’s gonna be too hard or you think it’s gonna be too easy, your mindset is so important and can make a big difference in whether or not you’ll be successful in implementing a gluten-free diet.   What to do instead Before you even think about changing out that bread and buying new pasta, honestly ask yourself: how do you feel about going gluten-free right now? Is it the right time to implement this change in your life? What do you need to put in place before you start so you can set yourself up for success? Who do you need support from spouse, kids, or friends? And how can you get some early wins to keep motivated? Start by getting rid of the major gluten offenders with this   PDF Cheat Sheet List of Foods to Cut Out   5. They don’t do a trial run Our neighbours are campers. They have this huge RV that they use.   And every year in the spring, they go for like a 2 or 3-night trip. They don’t go far from home, but they do all the work: the planning, the packing, the cleaning, all. The. Things. So why do all that work for only 3 nights? Apparently, it’s called a “shakedown”. A way to get all the kinks out of RV life – find out what’s working, what’s not, and what you need to fix before a BIG camping trip.   If they didn’t do this, they could be deep into Algonquin Park, up to their eyeballs in pine trees, and suddenly realize their propane tank has a leak and their awning is busted.   This trial run sets them up for success in the long run.   And because most people don’t apply this same concept when going gluten-free, it makes going gluten-free in the long run much harder than it has to be.   What to do instead Do a trial run of gluten-free. Do your own “gluten-free shakedown”. Try going gluten-free for 3 days. It will automatically have you looking at your cupboard, fridge, and meals for the week. You’ll learn a lot, trust me.   Check out this article for more, and grab a Gluten-Free Diet Plan to get started.   6. They don’t know why (exactly) they’re doing it Your friends are doing it! Your mom’s friends are doing it! Your old high school friend is doing it! Everybody seems to be going gluten-free these days. With all the hype, it’s natural to be curious and wonder if you should also kick that Kraft Dinner to the curb. And who doesn’t like a good old-fashioned bandwagon ride!?   But if you’re going to do this actually to go gluten-free and stick with it you gotta have some sense of why you’re doing it.   Most often, people who go gluten-free on a lark tend to get a burst of motivation at the start but then tend to fizzle out pretty quickly.   What you should do instead Stay with me here: take a minute and find somewhere relatively quiet. Ask yourself: why do I want to go gluten-free? Try to filter out the automatic “should” voices that aren’t really yours. Get an answer from you. We’re trying to tap into your intuition here. Having a clear idea of why you want to do something can help you stick to the plans that you make.   7. They get no support and guidance about gluten-free Here’s the last of the biggest mistakes that I see people make when they first go gluten-free: they get absolutely no support. They try to cut out a few gluten-filled things but then don’t really know what to eat. And then if they’re trying to figure out if they should reintroduce gluten, they don’t know how to do that either.   So they naturally feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and done with everything, including cauliflower crusts.   Unless you feel 100% confident based on your own experience or expertise in this area, you’re probably going to benefit from getting the support of a professional. I even found it challenging to implement gluten-free eating and I’m a dietitian!   What to do instead Get some input early on before you go full throttle into gluten-free. You’re gonna 10x your chances of success this way. Getting some legit help from a professional also saves you energy and money because you can get advice before you go buy a bunch of products that you don’t need. And it can also save you time by helping you figure out if gluten is, in fact, what’s causing your issues in the first place.   Bottom line Going gluten-free isn’t the easiest thing to do. But if you know what to watch out for, you can skip all the mistakes that so many people make (myself included). Get started with a   PDF Cheat   Sheet List of Foods to Cut Out . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from April Saunders April Saunders, Blogger April Saunders is a Registered Dietitian and runs Eats by April: the place to BE when you first go gluten-free. Fueled by her own experience with years of undiagnosed gluten intolerance which caused daily stomach cramps, painful bloating, unsightly burping and brain fog, April finally freed herself of all it once she went gluten-free. Now she’s on a mission to help busy moms end their symptoms from gluten intolerance by finally going gluten way faster than she did so they can feel like themselves again.

Written by Anna Choi, Energy Master Anna Choi, 2x TEDx Speaker, Bestselling Author, Black Belt, Performance Artist, and Founder & CEO of Soljoy ,  a somatic mindfulness social purpose corporation, serves high achieving community leaders to calm the mind and find peace in stress to embody inner joy. With so many global and national events happening each day while dealing with the effects of the pandemic, no matter what you believe, it’s become difficult to stay in a bubble without feeling the impact of what’s been happening lately. My work with business clients they are already dealing with the life stresses of caretaking elders, not seeing their family more regularly, or being triggered by the news and unable to focus at work. This is causing higher levels of emotional stress than they are used to managing and looking for ways to stay grounded while also taking care of their well-being, growing their business, and taking a stand for what they believe in society will create a better future for all. Let’s take the following situation: a family member voted differently in politics or doesn’t acknowledge or believe in the same reality as you. This divide can be healed by first going within to face and embrace your fears, then having tough conversations and creating your stand in the world. But first, it starts with you This is the vast majority of work. Remember, no amount of “conflict resolution” or “communications” training will make a lasting difference unless you’re at peace with yourself, able to face and even love your fear. If you consider the world’s chaos on the outside to be a reflection of the inner turmoil within, you’ll begin getting to the source of the chaos in our world today. Let’s begin and make friends with fear. Executive summary video version of this blog as well 1. Be willing to face feeling the fear What is your relationship to fear? Rather than thinking intellectually about it, let’s look to your body to tell you. Just like numbers don’t lie in a business, your body’s reactions don’t lie about your subconscious thoughts, feelings, and emotions on a matter that causes your reactions. To understand your default narrative on fear, picture any current event, relationship, or daunting task in your business that brings up fear for you. Then, simply observe what first words, feelings, or body sensations popped into your head and write them down. Do the following exercise: What instant thoughts or phrases come to your mind? Fear is ______. Fill in the blank. Where in your body do you feel the fear? Does it constrict your chest, get stuck in your throat, or make your gut churn? Do you get enraged, want to hide and run away, or do you get numb and freeze? What other memories arise from your past or from the future? What feelings arise from those past or future memories? Don’t get lost in those memories and reactions. Do your best to simply notice how your body responds when you imagine this fear-raising event, relationship, or daunting task. 2. Allowing and accepting the fear After you face the feeling of fear, you’ve almost already accomplished the next step of allowing fear. Allowing or accepting fear doesn’t mean you condone the fear or that you think the fear is ok or even good. Allowing or accepting the fear is simply being with the fear, allowing it to exist, and accepting that it’s there at all. To do this, you must be neutral as you tap, observe, and watch yourself as if on the outside looking in. Fear can even be reduced down to a particular set of feelings, thoughts, and body reactions; then, humans label fear to describe that experience. Perhaps your heart races, your mouth goes dry, and you’re anxious, and your head says, “Stop!” or get angry. That collective experience is now called fear. Whatever version of fear you experience, take a deep breath. Take another deep breath and keep taking deep inhales and exhales as you continue being with fear, noticing your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. 3. Picture fear like a little monster Picture fear like a little monster who just wants love. Imagine you’re sitting at home when the little monster fear suddenly appears at your doorstep, knocking on the door. Seeing it’s the little monster fear, your initial reaction is to ignore the door knocking. But fear keeps knocking louder. You say to the door, “Fear, go away!” but the fear simply knocks more loudly and gets angrier. The more you resist, the more fear starts banging loudly on your door, wildly shouting obscenities. This is like what’s happening in our world. We cannot continue to ignore the fear that lives in the hearts of many in our country that may have different or opposing beliefs. We must first be willing to face feeling the fear, then, allow the fear. If you continue to ignore, get angry at, or whatever other reaction in your unique response to fear is, the little monster will keep growing inside you until it rears its head and leaks out while you’re with a client, and something happens when you’re sitting at dinner with your family, or just walking outside. You should be proud of having the courage to feel the fear and be with it anyway by simply practicing feeling it and breathing through it to relax your body because you are building a muscle to handle fear constructively in a healthy manner. If you’ve made it even this far, you are far ahead of the vast majority of humanity, which is SO worth celebrating. Take a break, and enjoy yourself, relax, and treat yourself. You can hang out practicing just these steps for a while until some basic mastery is attained. Then, you can move on to the next stage. 4. Connecting to the fear Once you can see fear like a little monster who wants love, you can connect to the fear. You can talk much like a mom or dad would talk to a child throwing a tantrum and doesn’t know any better. To connect to your fear, present it again by imagining the situation, the person, or the challenge you face. Breathe deeply as you notice your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations arise. Once in a fairly neutral or calm state, now ask your fear, “What’s your message to me?” or “What do you want to say to me?” Now, your job is to listen. It’s likely you’ll have lots of automatic responses from fear, saying some form of “Pay attention to me!”. Simply listen. You might also journal some notes. 5. Thanking the fear Now that you’ve allowed fear to say it’s peace, it’s time for you to acknowledge the fear for the role it’s playing. Whether that’s teaching you a skill you otherwise wouldn’t have to learn or building a muscle that needs building you can ask questions like: How have you served me? What is your lesson and gift for me now? What do you need from me to take a healthy and constructive place in my life? What guidance do you want to give me? What do I need to embrace or let go of? What actions am I called to take? What does it specifically look like? The beauty of questions is that your brain will then work hard to answer them. It will take critical thinking to truly inquire, explore, and listen to your inner wisdom’s responses to the fear. Automatically, when you inquire and explore a question, your brain eagerly wants to find an answer. You might have automatic answers that could be valid, and I invite you to wait patiently and listen. Take notes of what replies you receive. Thank the fear of being in your life. 6. Embracing the fear Now that you’ve connected with the fear, got an understanding of where fear was coming from, and perhaps learned some new perspective or insight that wouldn't have been possible had you not cared to ask questions and been courageous to face the fear in the first place, you’re now ready for the next step. Embracing fear is very much like giving fear a hug. Now that the fear isn’t a threat (in essence, you didn’t treat fear with more fear to feed it), give the fearsome love. You will often find love is much more powerful than fear and has the power to transmute the fear into love. You might discover that fear was just the monster's clothing on the outside, and on the inside, fear at the core is light and love. It’s as if by loving fear, you are reintegrating or unifying the yin and the yang, the polar opposites, into one piece true unity of dichotomies. You can make a motion of hugging yourself or any other gesture and/or sound of relief once you’ve integrated and come to terms with the fear in a very loving, positive way. Anytime that particular flavor of fear comes up, you can simply smile and say: “oh hey! I love you, but there’s nothing to be scared of.” Then embrace the fear into your heart of shining love not in order to get rid of, exterminate, and disappear the fear. That’s just a disguised way of fighting fear through fake love. You must authentically, in your heart, feel an expansive sense of openness to truly embrace fear. You’ll know if it’s fake love by simply checking your heart rate. If your breath is shallow, or you feel constricted or contracted energetically in any way fake love. But if you feel relaxed, expansive, triggerless, and open–then you’ve just had a moment of enlightenment. Now what? Apply these steps in real life The game from here on out is to continue more instances of embracing fears as they come up. As you get more fascicle and powerful in building up your muscles, you’ll likely be able to handle larger fears. This simply means fears may never go away. They simply have less charge and less grip as you continue building your ability to embrace fear. Journal your progress. Make a note each time fear comes up. Run through this sequence of being willing to face feeling the fear, allowing, accepting, connecting, thinking, and embracing the fear. In the beginning, it will take effort, and once you practice this, it can get easier and faster. Know that your fears will just get bigger, so the game is to have big enough fears worth having. When fear is a word like “the,” and you have the power to choose how you’ll be with fear or not, that’s the point of this conversation. Many times, you may choose to react to the fear with more fear. That’s ok. Give yourself grace and space to continue making mistakes and practice. The act of giving yourself grace IS doing this entire sequence in a moment. It doesn’t have to be hard. It’s not a linear path. It’s simply bringing an awareness instantly into the moment. What’s possible: The future is in your hands Right now, we face unprecedented times. While you make a tune out of that overused word, it’s accurate and worth tuning back in. Consider these times as an opportunity, a spiritual test of radical, unconditional love. Being willing to face and feel fear, allowing and accepting fear, connecting to and thanking the fear, and embracing the fear is essentially practicing unconditional love. Embodying unconditional love requires a life of mastery, and it can be easy, instantaneous, in a moment. Making peace with yourself and others begins with you. From there, you can take the next step of interacting with others where fear may come up and practicing the same sequence. Imagine a world where we look forward to uncomfortable conversations instead of fighting fear, resisting fear, ignoring, or running away from fear. We know it’s the only way to truly unite humanity on this planet, making war a notion of the past as we create a more peaceful society. It all starts with you. Follow me on  LinkedIn , Facebook  and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Anna Choi Anna Choi, Energy Master Anna Choi, 2x TEDx Speaker, Bestselling Author, Black Belt, Performance Artist, and Founder & CEO of Soljoy , a somatic mindfulness social purpose corporation, serves high achieving community leaders to calm the mind and find peace in stress to embody inner joy. She distills ancient wisdom into modern day mindfulness practices serving thousands of students.  A second generation Korean American social entrepreneur, SolJoy’s sister non profit funds community leader scholarships for wellness training programs. Learn more here.

Written by Carole Stizza, Executive Leadership Coach Carole Stizza, PCC is an expert on the leadership ripple effect and resiliency. She is an executive leadership coach, speaker, author, and military spouse who has been able to study military and corporate leadership in real-time. Let's face it: leading in the AI age is like trying to teach your grandmother to use TikTok. It is hilarious, slightly terrifying, and full of unexpected plot twists. Take this gem of a story: A CEO friend of mine (let's call him "Mr. Efficiency") decided to let AI write his annual company motivational speech. What could possibly go wrong, right? The AI's masterpiece began with: "Good morning, employees! Let's cut to the chase. You're all behind schedule, and your KPIs are, quite frankly, disappointing." (Because nothing says "team spirit" like a digital overlord telling everyone they're slacking off!) The speech went on to suggest that everyone should work 25% harder for 10% longer hours to achieve a 43% improvement. I'm pretty sure I heard the ghost of every HR manager collectively gasp. As a former HR person, I find this resonates! The good, the bad, and the binary Here's the thing about AI: it's like having a super-smart intern who never sleeps, never complains, and never asks for a raise. It can crunch numbers faster than you can say "quarterly report" and spot trends that would make Sherlock Holmes jealous. Fun fact: AI's IQ is predicted to double every six months. At this rate, it'll be solving quantum physics while we're still trying to figure out why the office printer is jamming. But this is a big "but" AI that has the emotional intelligence of a potato. Try asking it to give someone a pep talk, and you might as well be asking a calculator to write poetry. Sure, the math adds up, but the heart? Not so much. Leading with heart (because robots don't have one yet) As AI takes over more of our technical tasks, we humans need to double down on what makes us special: our ability to empathize, connect, and occasionally share embarrassing stories at office parties. Think of it this way: AI is like having an efficient GPS. It can tell you the fastest route from A to B, but it can't appreciate the view, stop for ice cream, or laugh when you take a wrong turn. That's where human leadership comes in. The new leadership playbook Today's leaders need to be more human than ever. While AI handles the numbers, we need to focus on these 4 things: Building relationships (that don't involve binary code) Showing vulnerability (without bluescreening) Being creative (beyond random number generation) Displaying empathy (something AI understands about as well as cats understand quantum physics) The bottom line Leadership in the AI age is like dancing at a wedding; you might not know all the steps, but if you're authentic and don't step on too many toes, you'll be fine. While AI crunches the data, we humans need to focus on what we do best: connecting, caring, and occasionally making fools of ourselves in the name of inspiration. Remember, when all is said and done, AI might be able to write a perfect report, but it can't give you that knowing to look across a conference room or share a laugh over coffee. And that, my fellow humans, is our superpower. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go explain to my AI assistant why "optimizing human resources" doesn't mean replacing everyone with robots. Again. And yes, I know this is tongue-in-cheek, yet when I coach leaders, and they get caught up in the AI and automation efficiency race, I must repeatedly remind them that people are their most important asset. Therefore, leadership training is an ongoing investment in optimizing what AI can offer in collaboration with people’s talent. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Carole Stizza Carole Stizza, Executive Leadership Coach Carole's first awareness of any type of ripple effect came after she experienced the loss of several family members from a reckless driver, only to see her father never regain his love of life, his spark, or his ability to lead as he once had. The ripple effect was profound. Equally profound was experiencing brilliant leadership via several employment roles. Taking note of the ripple effect of each type of leadership now allows Carole to coach clients to recognize the ROI.

Written by Lindsey Champney, Health and Wellness Coach Lindsey is a board-certified health and wellness coach who ensures the highest standard of care and a client-led approach to health and wellness goals. Lindsey loves to help others achieve their best self by partnering with clients to determine achievable health goals and specific action steps to get there. In a world where health trends come and go quickly, there is immense value in seeking timeless wisdom from older generations. Our elders' experiences and practices often hold key insights into maintaining health and well-being.   Here are some invaluable health tips passed down through generations that can enhance our modern lifestyles.   Walking Walking  is an ageless activity that nearly everyone can participate in to reap numerous   benefits . A close friend of mine, who is in her 80s, walks daily and enjoys vibrant health as she ages gracefully. Not only does walking provide her with essential physical activity, but it also elevates her mood and connects her with nature.   Tip 1: Walking at least 30 minutes daily has mental and physical benefits.   Eat whole foods Generations ago, families often relied on whole, minimally processed foods and cooked mostly home meals. Their diets were rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality animal proteins. Many elders have continued this way of eating with their own families. This emphasis on natural ingredients nourishes their bodies and promotes longevity. Today, with the rise of convenience foods, returning to this principle is essential.   Tip 2: Incorporating more whole foods into your diet can improve nutrition, enhance energy levels, and support overall health.   Get proper sleep Prioritizing sleep offers numerous benefits, particularly as we age. Older generations have long recognized that adequate sleep is essential for physical and mental health, often leading them to establish healthier sleep habits. Many older adults align closely with their circadian rhythms, tending to go to bed early and rise with the sun, which promotes better sleep quality. This natural inclination allows them to maximize restorative sleep and enhances overall well-being.   Embracing the importance of sleep supports cognitive function, helps strengthen our immune systems, and reduces the risk of chronic health issues. Tip 3: Establishing a bedtime routine, prioritizing sleep hygiene, and allowing for downtime will improve overall well-being.   Prioritize family meals Many older generations have upheld the tradition of sharing meals with family and close friends. Family meals are crucial in shaping healthier, happier, and more resilient individuals while fostering strong family connections. These gatherings also encourage improved eating habits with home-cooked, fresh food.   Research from the   FMI Foundation  shows that   family meals  improve emotional well-being and boost family bonds. Typically, taking the time to eat a family meal encourages slower eating, which can lead to benefits like increased satiety and less overeating.   Tip 4: Setting aside time for shared meals in our fast-paced lives can enhance relationships and promote mindfulness around food.   Cultivate meaningful relationships Cultivating social connections has long been essential for maintaining health and well-being. Older generations have often benefited from tight-knit communities, recognizing the critical role that relationships play in supporting mental and emotional health.   Before smartphones and computers, many seniors spent their leisure time reading books and magazines or watching television sparingly. Their extra hours were often dedicated to engaging with family and friends through games and in-person gatherings. In contrast to today’s digital interactions, which include texting and social media, meaningful connections require more effort, often involving phone calls or carefully planned meet-ups.   Tip 5: Engaging with friends and family, participating in community events, and connecting socially can provide a strong support system that promotes resilience and good health.   Eat with the sun It is usually joked that senior citizens eat super early dinners, aka “early bird specials.” It is not just a coincidence that most older people prefer to eat early. The older generations have noticed improved sleep, digestion, and energy levels when they eat before the sun sets.   Consuming meals during daylight is crucial for aligning with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. This emerging concept suggests that synchronizing our eating patterns with natural daylight can significantly enhance overall health by harmonizing our dietary habits with biological clocks.   Tip 6: Aligning mealtimes with daylight hours supports the circadian rhythm. Try to eat dinner before the sun sets.   Reduce alcohol As individuals age, it is natural to   reduce alcohol consumption . Many people over 50 find themselves cutting back or even abstaining altogether, as alcohol can disrupt sleep quality, mood, eating habits, reaction time, and overall focus.   The   risks associated with alcohol  become more pronounced after the age of 50, increasing the likelihood of liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and various cancers. Additionally, alcohol can adversely   affect mental health , contributing to depression and cognitive decline.   Tip 7: Excessive alcohol use poses significant threats to physical and mental health. Limit alcohol use to special occasions.   Traditional health remedies Previous generations often sought healing from nature, relying on herbal remedies and natural treatments that were staples in many households decades ago. Today, many elders continue to embrace these methods. For instance, homemade bone broth is used to support recovery from illness, while fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt promote gut health. Herbal teas can nourish specific ailments, and aloe vera is commonly used for digestive issues and soothing burns and cuts.   While it's important to seek guidance from healthcare professionals, delving into traditional remedies can deepen your knowledge of holistic health.   Tip 8: Exploring herbal options for common ailments can offer valuable alternatives to over-the-counter medications.   Mindfulness & gratitude Many older adults naturally lean toward   mindfulness , often rooted in their daily rituals and appreciation for simple pleasures. After retirement, elders tend to slow down their pace of life and pick up hobbies that bring them purpose and joy. Whether through prayer, meditation, or journaling, these practices promote mental clarity and emotional stability. Tip 9: Incorporating mindfulness and gratitude into your day can help reduce stress and improve your outlook.   Keep learning new things Older generations genuinely embody the spirit of lifelong learning. They often embrace new skills such as gardening, exploring a new hobby, or mastering card games like Bridge. Both in the past and today, elders frequently engage with physical newspapers, immersing themselves in knowledge and staying informed daily.   Engaging the brain through new learning experiences stimulates neural connections and fosters   neuroplasticity , ultimately enhancing memory and boosting confidence. Acquiring a new language or learning to play a musical instrument are excellent ways to challenge the mind and promote cognitive growth.   Tip 10: Challenging the brain through lifelong learning is vital for cognitive health as we age. Explore new hobbies, engage in social activities, and learn new skills.   Conclusion The wisdom of older generations offers a wealth of health tips that continue to resonate today. By adopting these 10 timeless principles, we can foster a balanced and healthy lifestyle that respects our history and paves the way for a promising future.   As we navigate modern health challenges, let’s remember to listen to the voices of those who came before us; they have much to teach us about living well. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Lindsey Champney Lindsey Champney, Health and Wellness Coach Lindsey is a board-certified health and wellness coach who ensures the highest standard of care and a client-led approach to health and wellness goals. Lindsey loves to help others achieve their best self by partnering with clients to determine achievable health goals and specific action steps to get there. She is passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, optimal sleep, exercise, stress management, and emotional well-being.

Written by Ana Salido, Life Coach & Mentor Ana is a passionate and dedicated mentor and life coach, and she advocated for women's empowerment. With over 8 years of experience in the field, she has helped countless women reconnect with themselves, achieve their goals, and cultivate fulfilling relationships. It’s 10 p.m. The kids are finally asleep, the work emails have (hopefully) stopped, and you’re staring at the laundry pile you meant to fold hours ago. You’re physically there, but mentally, you feel like you’re running on empty, barely getting through each day. In today’s fast-paced world, women are expected to juggle so many roles: dedicated mother, supportive partner, career woman, loyal friend. And often, our needs are put last, or worse, forgotten. But here’s what science tells us: neglecting your own well-being is not just unhealthy, it’s counterproductive. Prioritising yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for your physical, emotional, and mental health. The hidden costs of always putting yourself last Studies have shown that chronic stress from being stretched too thin takes a massive toll on our bodies and minds. Research published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that women who consistently put others’ needs ahead of their own have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments like high blood pressure and heart disease. In fact, a Harvard Business Review article found that women experiencing burnout were 63% more likely to take extended leave from work due to health concerns. A sobering number: a 2022 survey revealed that 77% of working women felt so overwhelmed by their responsibilities that they worried about their ability to maintain their mental well-being. So, that self-care matters; it’s not just about “feeling better.” It’s about long-term health, longevity, and your ability to thrive in every role you play. Why prioritising yourself can make you better mom at everything It’s easy to buy into the cultural myth that being selfless is synonymous with being a good woman. But neuroscience has some insights that flip this thinking on its head. When you’re stressed and overwhelmed, your brain goes into survival mode. The prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for decision-making, patience, and problem-solving, shuts down. This is why, when you’re exhausted, you find yourself snapping at your kids or feeling disconnected from your partner. Conversely, prioritising yourself helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system), which boosts your ability to stay calm, focused, and present. According to ay from the American Psychological Association, regular self-care activities, like setting boundaries and practicing mindfulness, significantly reduce the physiological markers of stress. When you feel balanced, gauge more positively and meaningfully in your relationships and roles. Here’s the real-life impact of taking care of yourself Imagine what it feels like to be patient with your children because your mind isn’t foggy with exhaustion. Or being a partner who can give genuine love and support because you’ve given yourself time to recharge. Your relationships deepen, your work performance improves, and, quite simply, you enjoy your life more. The ripple effect is undeniable. When you invest in your own well-being, everyone around you benefits. And this isn’t just motivational fluff, and it’s backed by hard science. Introducing the modern woman: Where self-care meets transformation If you’re nodding along and thinking, “But I’ve tried self-care, and it didn’t stick,” I get it. The problem is, many wellness programs are superficial, offering temporary relief but no real change. That’s why I created The Modern Woman: a four-week experience designed to address your mindset, energy, and inner narrative in a meaningful way. Here’s what we’ll dive into Rewiring your inner beliefs with neuroscience: We’ll explore how years of conditioning have wired your brain for people-pleasing and how to reverse this with proven techniques. Did you know that simply reframing your thoughts can decrease cortisol (the stress hormone) levels by up to 23%, according to Stanford University research? You’ll learn how to become your biggest advocate, not your harshest critic. Mastering the art of bound: A study in psychological science found that people who regularly set boundaries reported higher happiness levels and lower rates of burnout. We’ll teach you how to say “no” in a way that is tempering and how to make room for your own needs without guilt. It’s about protecting your energy so you can be the best version of yourself. Practical self-care that sticks: You’ll develop a self-care routine that fits into your life and sustains you. We focus on habits rooted in positive psychology, like gratitude journaling and intentional movement, which studies have shown can improve mood by 30% and boost focus. We’ll make self-care feel less like a chore and a more natural, nourishing part of your day. Creating a life that feels like yours again: Using goal-setting strategies backed by research from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, we’ll work on reconnecting with your passions. This is about rediscovering the parts of you that got buried under the demands of life.   It’s time to break the cycle of exhaustion and thrive We aren’t selfish. It’s the first step to creating a ripple effect of positivity, health, and deep connection in your life. When you are well, everyone around you benefits. You show your children that self-respect is crucial. You give your relationships the energy and love they deserve. And most importantly, you rediscover your happiness, not just for others, but for you. Are you ready to finally feel like yourself again? To be a mom and a woman who loves her life, feels strong and capable, and truly enjoys the roles she’s in? The Modern Woman program is here to help you break free from burnout and step into a life where you thrive. Contact me by email here .   Follow me on  Instagram , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Ana Salido Ana Salido, Life Coach & Mentor Ana is a passionate and dedicated mentor and life coach, and she advocated for women's empowerment. With over 8 years of experience in the field, she has helped countless women reconnect with themselves, achieve their goals, and cultivate fulfilling relationships. Driven by her journey of self-discovery and personal growth, Ana is deeply committed to guiding women on their path to self-love, authenticity and empowerment. Known for her warmth, compassion and unwavering support, Ana creates a safe and nurturing space for women to explore their innermost desires, confront their fears and step into their full potential. Sources: Harvard Business Review: How Burnout Affects Women 2022 Mental Health and Women’s Study  Stanford University Research on Stress and Brain Function American Psychological Association: Self-Care and Stress Reduction Stanford University Research on Cortisol and Reframing Psychological Science: Boundaries and Happiness Study Positive Psychology Research on Mood and Focus American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine: Goal-Setting and Well-Being

Written by Naomi Nye, Family Coach Naomi specializes in helping teens tackle negative behavioral patterns, addictions, anxiety and depression. Her passion for youth and family well-being led her to establish Teen Rockstar Entrepreneur, offering vital life skills for success. Alongside this initiative, she organizes community events & hosts the Teen Rockstar Entrepreneur podcast. Purpose and activism have become two dominant forces shaping today’s youth. Yet, when activism is focused solely on social justice ideals without a grounding sense of personal direction, the effects can be disorienting and even damaging. Many teens today are swept into causes that resonate deeply but lack the clarity of purpose or balanced perspective necessary to fully understand them. This isn’t to diminish the value of activism. It can be an incredible force for good. However, without a strong sense of self and purpose, social justice can lead to polarization, confusion, and an unbalanced outlook on life and relationships.   In this article, we’ll explore the role of purpose in teen development and how it contrasts with and even complements the world of activism. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, and developing a sense of personal direction, teens can approach activism with a clearer mind and a genuine drive to make a meaningful impact. Join us as we delve into how parents can guide their children in discovering their unique purpose, strengthening their mental resilience, and ensuring that their passions are rooted in personal growth as much as they are in social change. Lack of meaning, activism & purpose The pursuit of purpose is not just a desirable goal but a psychological and developmental necessity for young people. Activism offers an immediate outlet for this need, providing teens with a sense of belonging and a platform for self-expression. However, while these movements may provide temporary meaning, they can’t fulfill the deeper need for a strong, internal sense of purpose. This is where adult guidance becomes crucial.   It is vital for parents, educators, and mentors to help teens navigate their journey toward purpose in a way that transcends the immediacy of activism. By fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, we can help them find a sense of purpose that isn't dependent on external movements. This means taking the time to explore questions like: What are their natural strengths? What passions do they want to cultivate? How do they want to contribute to the world in a way that aligns with their core values?   We must also recognize that the brain's natural development during adolescence makes teens more vulnerable to impulsive decision-making. Without proper guidance, this can lead them to get involved in movements that might not serve their long-term interests or, worse, movements that promote division rather than unity. This is why it is essential to instill critical thinking skills in young people to equip them with the ability to discern facts from ideology and to choose causes that truly align with their values and beliefs rather than following the crowd.   The next section of this article will dive deeper into how parents and educators can support teens in cultivating purpose while steering clear of the distractions that often accompany adolescent activism. We will also explore the roots of social justice movements, providing both parents and youth with a more informed understanding of these causes. By examining where these ideologies come from and how they have evolved, we can equip teens with the critical thinking tools they need to engage thoughtfully with activism and align their efforts with their values. Moreover, we will see how purpose not only brings personal fulfillment but can also create a ripple effect, positively impacting communities, relationships, and broader societal issues. So, what is ‘social justice’? At its core, social justice is the belief that every individual in society deserves equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources. It is often said that social justice teaching helps educators recognize students for who they truly are. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice initiative has developed a set of standards for K-12 educators to instill these values. These guidelines include anchor standards, grade-level outcomes, and scenarios demonstrating anti-bias behavior in the classroom, aiming to help students embrace their identities, challenge bias, and foster respect for different backgrounds.   That sounds great, but in reality, educators are taught to reflect on their own biases, as we are told that living in the U.S., a country founded on white supremacy, inevitably creates prejudices. While some argue that acknowledging these biases makes teachers better equipped to promote equality, this approach has proven divisive. By focusing on one narrative that white supremacy permeates society, social justice movements often polarize discussions. As noted in Psychology Today, finding a balance between social justice and social order is crucial, as unchecked, these ideologies can drive societies toward deeper division. The 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that Western societies, including the U.S., UK, France, and others, are facing increasing polarization.   Racism undeniably persists, and we all hope for a future where it is eradicated. However, progress has been made: the election of a Black president, increased interracial marriage rates, and public approval of such unions reaching 94% are testaments to this. Yet, social justice activists suggest that racism remains omnipresent, lurking within society's structures. Some argue that in efforts to combat historical injustices, the pendulum has swung too far, promoting practices that divide rather than unite. Safe spaces excluding certain racial groups and an overemphasis on identity politics dismantle the very principles that figures like Martin Luther King Jr. fought for.   The challenge with social justice lies in its tendency to address historical inequities by scapegoating other groups, often creating new forms of discrimination. Reverse racism, divisive DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives, and training are costing millions of taxpayer dollars while fostering more division. DEI practices, along with this polarized interpretation of social justice, have led to greater societal fragmentation.   For adults with fully developed brains and life experiences, it is possible to navigate these complex ideologies. But for children, whose critical thinking abilities are still developing, the impact can be deeply unsettling. Parents across the nation have voiced concerns about their young white children coming home in tears, feeling guilty or ashamed after being told they are inherently racist or oppressive. Discussing historical injustices in a thoughtful way that promotes learning from past mistakes is one thing, but placing the weight of ancestral wrongdoing on children is quite another. How can we encourage students to embrace their identities and reject bias while also creating narratives that divide and alienate? What are the ‘social justice’ roots? The roots of social justice, critical race theory, and intersectionality trace back to the Frankfurt School in the 1930s, a Marxist project designed to reinterpret Karl Marx’s vision of revolution. Marx expected that the working class would naturally rise up against capitalism, but theorists like Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno realized that workers were generally content and did not recognize their oppression. Thus, they shifted their focus from understanding the world (the role of theory) to critiquing and deconstructing it (the role of critical theory). This approach was a direct call for revolution not just of government systems but societal norms themselves. Consider recent examples, such as a public school district in Evanston, Illinois, which held a "Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action." Children as young as four were exposed to race-related content like Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness, which suggests that whiteness comes with privileges tied to stolen land and wealth. These teachings can leave all children, regardless of race, feeling powerless or guilty for circumstances they did not create. Social justice or social order? Social justice teachings, particularly from a critical theory perspective, often focus on power dynamics, framing freedom in terms of power and influence, while those advocating for social order understand freedom through options and opportunities. These contrasting views create division, envy, and ongoing grievance. Youth, already grappling with insecurity and comparison, now face an additional burden: the notion that their identity is the source of societal problems.   So, why do so many educators, politicians, and celebrities champion social justice? Many may not fully understand its historical roots or broader implications. Like many, I was once swept up in the ideals of the Black Lives Matter movement and the allure of socialism without having thoroughly explored the history of figures like Karl Marx, Francisco Franco, Adolf Hitler, Mao, Fidel Castro, Maduro and others. This lack of context leaves many vulnerable to ideologies that seem just on the surface but may cause more harm than good in the long run. Do children need to be taught social justice or purpose? The truth is that children need purpose and direction in their lives. When taught to focus on their skills, talents, and contributions rather than the perceived injustices they face, they can make decisions that lead to fulfillment and success. This sense of purpose, rather than an ideology that divides them, is what will ultimately bring them hope for the future.   The importance of having a clear purpose in life, especially for teens, cannot be overstated. Purpose gives young people direction and motivation, helping them focus on long-term goals instead of short-term distractions like excessive gaming, social media, or other unhealthy habits such as drug and porn addiction. These behaviors often arise when teens feel aimless, and when there's a void where purpose and ambition should be, it's easy to fill that space with activities that offer instant gratification but little lasting fulfillment. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, and the belief that they don’t have anything to look forward to. Purpose: The antidote to meaninglessness Teens, more than ever, need a reason to engage in life meaningfully. Studies show that teens with a clear sense of purpose experience better mental health, are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, and develop resilience when faced with challenges. Purpose helps young people build self-esteem, encouraging them to see the bigger picture and motivating them to overcome obstacles. It gives them something to wake up for and work toward, which combats feelings of worthlessness and demotivation.   Without this purpose, teens are more likely to drift through life, filling their time with purposeless activities such as binge-watching TV or playing video games for hours on end. While recreational activities in moderation can be a healthy form of relaxation, using them to escape life’s realities often leads to feelings of stagnation and wasted potential. How parents can help teens find purpose Parents, you can play a pivotal role in helping their teens find their purpose. Here's how you can guide your children in discovering their talents and setting goals: 1. Observe strengths and interests Start by observing what your children naturally gravitate toward. Are they drawn to sports, writing, problem-solving, music, or social causes? Recognizing these strengths early can give teens a sense of what they’re good at and where they might excel. By acknowledging and encouraging these talents, parents can help teens build a foundation of confidence in their abilities. 2. Encourage exploration Teens may not know what they are passionate about until they have the opportunity to explore different activities. Encourage them to try new things, from art and science clubs to volunteer work or entrepreneurial projects. The more they experiment, the more likely they are to find something that resonates with them. This exploration also helps them figure out what they are not good at, which can be equally important for growth. 3. Help set meaningful goals Teens need to see the connection between their current efforts and long-term rewards. Help them set small, achievable goals that align with their strengths and interests. For instance, if a teen enjoys music, set a goal to practice an instrument for a certain number of hours each week. If they are passionate about social issues, help them set a goal to volunteer or start a community project. These goals should be broken down into smaller tasks so that the teen feels a sense of accomplishment along the way, which fuels further motivation. 4. Teach the value of improvement While teens should focus on their strengths, they should also be encouraged to work on areas where they might not naturally excel. Failure and struggle are valuable experiences that build resilience. By teaching teens to view challenges as opportunities to improve, you can help them develop a growth mindset the belief that abilities can be developed through effort. This mindset is crucial for long-term success and fulfillment. 5. Model purposeful living Teens often model their behavior after their parents. If parents live with a sense of purpose, whether through their careers, hobbies, or volunteer work, teens are more likely to adopt similar attitudes. Share stories with your children about times when you’ve worked toward a goal or faced challenges. Let them see the value of persistence and hard work. 6. Create a supportive environment Provide an environment that encourages creativity, self-expression, and learning. This includes offering emotional support and guidance while allowing teens the space to make their own decisions and experience the consequences of their actions. Mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey toward discovering purpose. 7. Foster meaningful connections A sense of purpose is often linked to helping others or being part of a larger community. Encourage your teen to connect with mentors, peers, or groups that share their interests. These connections can offer valuable feedback, encouragement, and perspective, helping teens see how their efforts can contribute to something bigger than themselves.   By helping teens develop a sense of purpose, you, the parents, can not only steer them away from harmful distractions but also give them the tools to live more fulfilling, motivated lives. Purpose is the anchor that keeps teens grounded amid the many challenges they face, and it gives them the clarity and courage to pursue their dreams with confidence. "If there are areas in your life or your teen's life that feel challenging or in need of improvement, and you're unsure of how to create meaningful change, I’m offering a complimentary 30-minute breakthrough session  for the month of November. This session is a chance to gain clarity and practical insights on any issues that may be troubling you. Book now to start making progress toward the growth and solutions you're looking for." Follow me as well on Facebook , and LinkedIn , or visit my website for more info! Read more from Naomi Nye Naomi Nye, Family Coach Naomi Nye is a leading authority in personal development, specializing as a family coach for mothers and youth seeking guidance when their teens are grappling with life pressures, addiction, or impulsive behavior. Inspired by her own challenging upbringing and subsequent journey of healing, Naomi recognized the crucial importance of coping skills in navigating life's adversities. Motivated by this insight, she founded the Teen Rockstar Entrepreneur Organization and Foundation, where she serves as CEO, alongside hosting the Teen Rockstar Entrepreneur Podcast.

Written by Dr. Dain Heer, Speaker and Author Dr. Dain Heer is an avid explorer of possibilities and an internationally recognized author and speaker. As the founder of the annual   International Being You Day  and Co-creator of Access Consciousness —one of the largest personal development movements practiced in 176 countries—Dain serves as a catalyst for empowering individuals to realize they can change anything in their lives. For over 30 years, he has encouraged people to view their differences as strengths, amplify their uniqueness, and fully embrace their greatness! In our journey through life, many of us find ourselves standing on the brink of change, just like a courageous little cow I recently encountered while white water rafting in Costa Rica. His bold leap from the safety of a (15-foot!) cliff into the roaring rapids below was more than just a curious moment. It was a profound illustration of the true power of choice.   The extraordinary encounter As a group of friends, coworkers, and I navigated the challenging waters of level four rapids, we noticed a bizarre site just ahead: a small cow, his head barely above water, in the middle of a relatively calm area of the river, paddling for dear life, a couple hundred feet upstream from impending death in even more rapids.   Seeing that cow in the middle of the river stopped us all in our tracks. A few cowboys were wading to his spot in the river, urging him to move to safety, but he steadfastly remained as though he were waiting for something. Or someone? Little did we know, this encounter would spark a series of events that would forever change this little cow’s life and contribute immensely to ours.   After several intense minutes of trying to get the resistant animal to shore, the cowboys finally succeeded. We all watched, transfixed and stunned by what we were witnessing. Have any of you ever seen a cow jump into a rapidly moving river from a cliff? Neither had we. Neither had the river guides with decades of experience. And neither had the Cowboys.   After ensuring the little cow was safe, we learned that he had made a spontaneous leap of faith just as our crew passed that very cliff, jumping headlong into the fast-moving river from the 15-foot rise above. He had abandoned the comfort and safety of the only place he had ever called home for something different.   I couldn’t shake the feeling that meeting this cute little courageous cow was just the beginning, not the end. There was just something so unique and different about this encounter and this cow that I asked the cowboys if we could buy that fantastic little creature. Sensing something themselves, they happily agreed. So, later that day, we bought the cow and named him Lucky .     We took him t o our eco-resort,  wh ere his story spread to all the guests and employees. Since his arrival, that lucky little cow has been cuddled, adored, and showered with admiration and attention. He now thrives among friends (both cow and people), getting many scratches behind the ears from people and running free with other well-cared-for animals, a living testament to the magic of choice. The leap of faith Lucky’s action may seem instinctual, but it is also quite uncharacteristic for a cow. (Leaping off cliffs isn’t their forte!) And it resonated deeply with me. It mirrored a lesson I’ve learned over the years: our biggest choices in life often arise from a place of intuition and our knowing! Rather than logical reasoning.   We often find ourselves at a crossroads, our autopilot urging us to remain in the safety of the familiar. Yet, there’s a whisper within, urging us to leap into the unknown. Much like Indiana Jones’ dramatic moment in "The Last Crusade," when he steps into the abyss, significant leaps of faith can lead to extraordinary transformations.   What if what we define as fear is actually excitement? What if discomfort is not a foe but a friend leading to new beginnings? What if the unknown is the very treasure we seek?   Navigating the discomfort of big choices Making substantial choices can be daunting, yes. From facilitating people worldwide, I’ve noticed that the discomfort seems to arise from the sense of losing control of potential consequences. Questions swirling in our minds: Will I be supported? What if I fail? What will people think? Am I making the "right" choice? Will I die in the rolling river of the uncontrolled?   And the discomfort of losing control can feel paralyzing, urging us to cling to the safety of our current circumstances, even if they no longer serve us. But what if that feeling uncomfortable is part of your growth process? What if this choice, this leap, is precisely what you’ve been asking for, just showing up differently than you thought it would? The discomfort shows us that we are (finally!) venturing beyond our usual boundaries. Just as Lucky faced the rush of the rapids, we too can feel the turbulence of emotions, fear, excitement, and anxiety when we’re about to leap into our future.   However, embracing this loss of control is where the magic lies. By leaning into our unease, we create space for exploration and discovery. Instead of resisting the feelings, we can acknowledge them as natural companions on our journey toward growth.   The illusion of no choice As I’ve reflected on my own experiences, I’ve realized one of my greatest challenges arises anytime I believe I don’t have a choice. In those moments, I become a cranky, resistant version of myself—akin to a toddler throwing a fit. This illusion is a powerful one; it takes away our agency and cuts off our energy.   Yet, the truth is that we always have a choice. And we always know what we truly require.   For me, the most fabulous fuel in life is the sense of freedom. And that freedom happens when I let go of control and embrace the questions “What else is possible I’ve never considered?” and “Where do I find it?” When I ask those questions, I open the doors to receiving something different. That enthusiasm for the possibility of receiving and creating something different and greater propels me forward. When I choose to function from the space of questions rather than a conclusion and acknowledge that there is always another choice available, even if I can’t see it yet, it always creates more space and more sense of freedom. Let’s face it: none of us likes being stuck with the lie that we don’t have a choice. Discovering your power and possibilities Take a moment to consider your relationship with choice: What fuels you? And what serves as your kryptonite? Are you willing to welcome the moments of big (undefined) choices into your life and ask a question like “What else is possible?” rather than rejecting them?   The key question is: are you ready to jump into the possibilities that are available that you haven’t yet seen? Like Lucky, who embraced his leap of faith (or was it awareness of the greater future he desired?), we all have the capacity to embrace the unknown.   The invitation lies in our willingness to choose courage over comfort, adventure over stagnation.   So, what about you? Are you ready to claim choice as your superpower? If yes, is now the time to leap?   Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more information! Read more from Dr. Dain Heer Dr. Dain Heer, Speaker and Author Having grown up in a challenging environment in Los Angeles, Dain faced constant adversity but chose resilience over victimhood. His determination to create positive change has fueled every aspect of his work, from facilitating global classes to authoring books and developing business ventures embodying benevolent capitalism principles. Dain draws from his personal experience to inspire individuals from all walks of life to create the money, happiness, and life they truly desire. In his talks and workshops, he offers a set of tools and step-by-step energetic processes that help people break free from limiting conclusions and judgments, guiding them toward a place of choice and transformative change. As a conscious and innovative business leader, Dain’s passion for possibilities and creating a better planet fuels all of his projects, including Castello di Casalborgone, a luxurious castle in Italy restored to its former glory; a thriving ranch in Houston; and EL Lugar, a fully sustainable eco-retreat in Costa Rica, designed in harmony with the earth.

Written by Oscar Orlandini M.D. & Daphy Cavero, Elite 360° Health Coaches Oscar & Daphy are lifepartners and co-founders of Awake Society, an innovative approach of 360° health & wellbeing specialized in mind-body connection, mindset reprogramming, deep nourishment and purpose driven life. We’ve all had those moments when everything just clicks—when work feels effortless, creativity flows, and time seems to vanish. These moments aren’t just lucky coincidences; they are powerful mental states known as "flow." When we enter a flow state, we tap into our highest levels of performance and wellbeing. So, how can we intentionally access this desirable mental zone? And how can flow states positively impact not just productivity, but also mental health, and overall wellbeing? This article will reveal how flow states can help you achieve high performance while boosting your mental balance—and how tools like breathwork and proper recovery are essential for unlocking this mental ‘superpower.’ First things first: What is a flow state, and why should you care? A flow state  is a heightened state of focus where you become fully immersed in the task at hand. During flow, your brain releases a cocktail of beneficial chemicals—dopamine, endorphins, and more—that boost cognitive function and create a sense of euphoria, often described as being "in the zone." People who regularly achieve flow states report reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, and flow has a calming effect, silencing mental noise. High performers who can trigger flow on demand feel more energized, creative, and emotionally stable, helping them prevent burnout while increasing productivity, motivation, and reclaiming their time. Understanding flow triggers: How to increase your chances of getting into flow Flow states can be activated through various “triggers”—specific internal, external, creative, and social factors that enhance performance, engagement, and overall well-being by helping induce flow. These triggers release dopamine, increasing motivation and reducing cognitive load, which makes it easier to enter flow. Here are some key types of flow triggers to consider: Internal flow triggers Autonomy – Having the freedom and authority to make your own decisions Complete concentration – Focusing all your mental resources and concentration on a single task Passion, purpose, and curiosity – Applying your own meaning and values to a task Immediate feedback – Receiving real-time and specific information about your progress and performance while immersed in a task Clear goals – Setting well-defined and specific objectives as a roadmap to your efforts Challenge-skill ratio – Finding balance between the challenge level of a task and your skill level External flow triggers Novelty – Experiencing new and unexpected elements in an activity. Risk – Being willing to take on challenges or engage in activities that involve a certain level of uncertainty Complexity – Problem-solving and mastering the intricacies of a task Unpredictability – Adapting and responding to difficult-to-anticipate elements Deep embodiment – Fully immersing yourself in an experience Creative flow triggers Creativity and pattern recognition – Generating new and original ideas through meaningful patterns and connections Group flow triggers Shared goals – Aligning on a common purpose with a team Close listening – Being fully present and attentive to others’ contributions Yes and… – Responding to contributions from others with acceptance and build upon their ideas Sense of control – Having a significant influence over your contributions to the group’s goals Blending egos – Setting aside individual success in favor of collective focus on the group’s goals Equal participation – Valuing every team member’s input equally Familiarity – Understanding each team member’s strengths and tendencies Constant communication – Actively engaging in ongoing discussions where ideas flow freely Shared risk – Collectively taking on challenges and uncertainty Tips for accessing flow: Breathwork and mindful focus Flow states aren’t random. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to reach these states at will. You can train yourself to access flow more often by incorporating mindful practices like breathwork . Conscious breathing helps downregulate your nervous system, reducing stress and preparing your brain for focused work. Breathwork tip Try ‘LSD Breathing’—light, slow, and deep (diaphragmatic). Breathe in for 4 counts and out for 6. This downregulates your nervous system, clears your mind, and primes your brain for high-level concentration. Practicing this for five minutes before starting focused tasks will help you drop into flow more effortlessly. A regulated nervous system is key to entering flow. Flow and sleep: How better sleep fuels better focus Sleep is the foundation of flow. Without quality sleep, achieving the mental focus needed to reach flow states is nearly impossible. Sleep deprivation disrupts emotional balance, cognitive function, and creativity—all essential for peak performance and flow. Sleep tip Develop a nighttime routine focused on relaxation. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique—inhaling for 4 counts, holding for 7, and exhaling slowly for 8. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping you unwind. Consistently good sleep will significantly improve your ability to enter flow states during the day. Recovery: The essential balance to flow Entering a flow state requires intense focus, so it’s essential to prioritize recovery. Without scheduled rest, burnout can sneak up, hindering your full potential and, worse, risking your health. Alternating between high-focus periods and intentional recovery is crucial for mental resilience and well-being. Recovery tip Take regular breaks throughout the workday to engage in activities that reenergize you—whether that’s stepping outside for a walk, doing some light stretching, or practicing NSDR  (non-sleep deep rest). These moments of intentional rest will revitalize your mind, making it easier to return to flow. Step into flow and boost your life Imagine being able to access your peak performance state at will, where creativity, focus, and energy flow effortlessly. This is attainable by mastering flow states, using the power of breath, and prioritizing sleep and recovery. Flow isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter, in alignment with your mind and body. It’s about building a lifestyle that supports peak performance and nurtures mental and physical health. Ready to unlock your flow? Do you want to consistently access flow, reduce stress, and elevate your performance? At Awake Society, we help high performers like you master mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through body connection, mindset reprogramming, empowering nourishment, and living a purpose-driven life. Book a free discovery call  with us today and learn how we can help you unlock your fullest potential, enhance your performance, and achieve the balance you’ve been searching for. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Oscar Orlandini and Daphy Cavero Oscar Orlandini M.D. & Daphy Cavero, Elite 360° Health Coaches Oscar & Daphy are lifepartners and co-founders of Awake Society, an innovative approach of 360° health & wellbeing specialized in mind-body connection, mindset reprogramming, deep nourishment and purpose driven life. Oscar is a Medical Doctor and a certified Sleep, Stress Management, Recovery & Nutrition coach. Daphy is a certified Integrative Health Coach specialized in Nervous System Regulation, Somatic Work and Emotional Release. They are both certified Masters in Trauma-Informed Breathwork & Ice Immersions. Together, they empower high performers to overcome stress and low energy, reclaiming mental and physical health for lasting vitality and resilience.

Written by Anna Darlington, Lifestyle & Mindset Coach Anna is a certified coach and NLP practitioner. She’s an accredited HR professional and founder of The Happy Mum Project. Following a successful career that led Anna to head up the Learning & Development function at a large, global company, she set up her own coaching practice, which is committed to helping mothers achieve career-family-balance. “You just can’t get anything right!” The little voice in my head was getting louder with each day. When I returned to work after I had my first child, I was totally overwhelmed! For me, being a mum with a career meant I had to make sure I kept all plates spinning at all times. But I soon realised that wasn’t really possible. I was unable to be present with my children and meet their needs because I was thinking about work, and I was unable to fully focus on my work because I was thinking about my kids. I felt guilty as if I was letting everyone down! And there was that voice again: “Hello, I’m Mum-Guilt, and you are not good enough!”   The guilt mothers feel originates from the fact that our actions will determine the well-being and development of our children. So, not doing certain things can indeed have a very negative impact on them. But unlike animals, where the female is often the only one responsible for ensuring her offspring’s survival, we have evolved to live in much more complex family dynamics, where we share parenting activities with our partners, relatives, and/or the community we live in. Hence, raising children should have become a joint effort. However, many cultures and societies have established the myth around motherhood that it’s the mother who is the primary caregiver and that, therefore, her children’s needs must come before her own. Being invested in childcare 24/7 is the standard to meet but is by far the most unrealistic. In addition to this, though, we also live in a time where fathers have become more hands-on, where women go back to work and follow careers. Doesn’t that mean we have every right to hand over to someone else so we can take care of our own needs? I came to realise that the change must start within me in order to free myself from guilt and shame over the fact that I couldn’t do everything to the highest standard. 5 things that can help every mother to decrease her mum-guilt 1. There is not just one way to be a good mum Having to deal with all the expectations, societal norms, and standards that are out there concerning motherhood and parenting is insane! We are all uniquely beautiful, we all have things we’re good at, things we enjoy and things we’d rather not do, and the same is true of our children. The key is not to do everything that is prescribed to us to be a “successful” parent but rather find the things you and your children truly enjoy doing together. This creates authentic quality time and is so much more valuable. 2. Doing what we love makes us happier and better mums Have you found yourself in moments where you simply couldn’t enjoy your family time? Chances are, you’re not giving enough time to the things that you enjoy doing just for yourself. Or you are not allowing yourself to enjoy them when you’re doing them (because you feel guilty!). If you worked hard for your career before kids because it’s part of who you are, you might still have that same desire after your babies are born. Embrace that joy and fulfilment you find in your job! If you have a hobby that brings you joy and increases your endorphins, make sure you make time for it! These things will make you a happier mum because doing what you enjoy feeds your soul. And when we’re happy, we become better at most things, including parenting. 3. Setting clear boundaries at work and at home to create the space we need Setting boundaries is key in life! As mothers, we have the tendency to let everyone in, be there, care, and nurture, but at the cost of our own well-being. Think about what we said before: make time for the things you enjoy doing! This includes communicating clearly to your family which times are dedicated to your work and yourself. You can talk to your children about this openly, and not step into the role of the “bad mummy” who isn’t there at certain times. Firstly, you’re not a bad mum! And secondly, you are being a great role model to them by teaching them the importance of looking after yourself! Also, clearly communicate to your employer at what times you work and when you are unavailable (if you’re your own boss, then have that conversation with yourself!) I know firsthand that it can be extremely hard to tell work you’re not available at certain times. But if you keep showing up as you set out, your co-workers will appreciate and respect you as the reliable and well-performing person you are. 4. Delegating tasks around the family life and home You need to outsource things. I don’t just mean get a cleaner (although that can be a great investment). Divide household management and life admin between you and your partner if you have one. You don’t have to carry the full mental load yourself. As mothers, we have the tendency to be the gatekeepers of everything related to our families. We’re so worried it will expose us as a bad mum if we don’t make sure everything is perfect (which we deep down know doesn’t exist). This comes back to the first point: there are many ways to be a good mum! So let others do some of the work. 5. Asking for help and accepting it Even with lots of planning and outsourcing, you might experience a phase that is tougher than usual, e.g. higher workload, children going through a difficult development. Life just happens- don’t be afraid to ask for help! Ask your partner, friends and family- they are there to help you even if you can’t return the favour right now, they know you will when you’re able to. Then, the key to this is to accept the help. Don’t make the problem or situation smaller by still doing most of the task. Really, fully and completely let someone help you.   By adopting these 5 changes I allowed myself to be kinder and more loving towards myself. It took pressure off me and released my guilt. Freeing yourself of mum-guilt is not just about breaking free from social-norms or demonstrating your individuality. It’s not a luxury, it is essential to your mental and physical health! Guilt causes us to experience stress and stress is unhealthy, we know that. So, becoming a more confident and liberated version of yourself will not just give you more peace and joy, it will contribute to your overall wellbeing, as well as your family’s and the people around you.   Let’s rid you of that guilt! You can sign up for my free newsletter and regular mum encouragement here . Follow me on Instagram , Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Anna Darlington Anna Darlington. Lifestyle & Mindset Coach Anna Darlington is an expert in enabling people to develop and progress. She has many years of experience in creating conditions for personal and professional growth. During her time heading up the Learning & Development function at a large, global organization, she met countless women who faced the same challenges of juggling motherhood and career that she did. The feeling of having to choose between family and career seemed unjust and Anna’s passion for female leadership empowerment led her to found The Happy Mum Project, which supports mothers to create a career-family-balance that enables them to follow their professional aspirations and find fulfilment in motherhood.

Written by Georgette Dutoit, Restorative Foot Therapist Georgette is a Leading Pioneer in Restorative Foot Therapy. Fusing knowledge from her Apache roots with modern Scientific Studies, she created an updated holistic approach to naturally relieve common Foot Pains. She's also the Creator of PediPower, a first of its kind Foot Center including Foot Therapy, Education, and multi-brand Barefoot Shoes. Our feet carry us through life’s journey, yet they’re often overlooked until discomfort strikes. Just as a house requires a stable foundation, our bodies rely on our feet for support, balance, and mobility. However, the stresses of modern life, hard surfaces, restrictive footwear, and lack of sensory stimulation, can lead to weakened, unresponsive feet. Getting farther There’s much written about reaching your full potential through utilizing meditation, exercise, nutrition, sleep, or confronting your emotional baggage. All will definitely help you become a better and healthier you. But if your feet aren’t fine, you won’t get far. Feet can be thought of like the foundation of a house. Foundations are not something we think about directly when undertaking renovations. Probably because we don’t spend time living in them, but rather on them. However, if the foundation of a house is not balanced, stable, or strong, it doesn’t matter how much effort is given to the interior to upgrade its livability. Without a solid foundation the house will suffer persistent problems somewhere in its structure. The same goes for feet. We stand on them, walk on them, play on them, land on them. They carry us towards what we need and love, and away from dangers. We tend to forget how important they are until they start to fail us. And when those two things that we move on don’t work well we can become stuck. What makes a healthy foot foundation? The first points that come to mind are alignment and strength; toes in the correct position to give optimal balance, muscles strong enough to support the body. But as we are living and therefore reactive beings, we also must remember the importance sensory feedback plays in our balance and stability. Consider how understanding the feelings in your soles will take you farther. Knowing where you stand We have lost touch with what we stand on, both literally and figuratively. But because of our current lifestyles – living in cities on hard, flat, unnatural ground developed to support fluid movement of wheeled transportation and structural stability, sidewalks littered with cigarette butts, broken glass, spit out gum, urine of both animals and humans, all of which are not naturally absorbed into cement – we’ve resorted to covering our feet to protect them, and ultimately have lost touch with our soles. Just as laying on the sofa all day every day would make it uncomfortable to exercise, or staying in a dark room would make it difficult for eyes to adjust to sunshine, depriving the feet of sensory input can cause atrophy in their muscles, movement, and reactiveness, sometimes to the point of pain. Problems in the feet – the foundation of the body – will eventually cause a chain reaction up the line, weakening the structure and compromising its functions. Come to your senses The body operates most efficiently when all senses are being used together, like musicians in a band or orchestra making music in the same key and tempo, harmonizing together, instruments fading in and out to create soundscape atmospheres. The nose can discern smell that will arouse or repel, working together with the tongue’s taste receptors to determine if something is edible or not, signaling sweet, salty, bitter, or neutral. The eyes can recognize loved ones or things that cause anxiety. The ears enhance direction and movement and can locate places that can’t be immediately seen. Just like hands know how to adjust themselves to hold an egg without crushing it, use scissors for cutting paper, steady a pot to pour boiling water from cooked pasta, or gently hold someone’s hand, so too are feet equipped to walk on soft sandy shorelines, ancient stoney ways, moss covered grounds, or rooty forest paths. Feet were made to recognize and respond to tactile sensations. Soles are receiving platforms for translating information through nerves, muscles, and fascia networks that run all the way up to the brain for fine tuning posture, balance,  stability, and reactive adjustments. Signals received from the soles support ideal blood and lymphatic flow through the body, and activate neural systems for proper signaling to the pelvis, which can also help to reduce problems of incontinence. When the sensory abilities in the soles become lost, so too does the ability to optimally balance and react. As the body ages, this can cause insecurities in mobility, a higher rate of accidents, an eventual lead to loss of independence, and in some cases even an untimely death. Save your soles Feet need action, adventure, stimulation, and challenges on varied and natural textures on a regular basis. If your feet feel hyper-sensitive to slowly walking barefoot across rocks the texture of worn cobblestones, this is a clear signal they need to regain the sensory abilities they have lost. Start slowly to restore sensory input receptors, just as you would a new exercise program for the body. Roll your feet over a textured massage ball daily to give them some stimulation. Inside your home create a barefoot parkour. A box of pebbles, sand, woodchips, or even young pinecones to stand on are efficient and cost friendly solutions. A few large textured stones placed as a pathway can better balance and increase reactiveness. If you have a garden, build a barefoot sensory area to enjoy, changing it seasonally to reflect what wild soles would naturally experience. When they feel ready, take your feet on barefoot walks in nature areas that are safe from trash, pollutions, and thorny plants. Let them get dirty, muddy, play and move. This not only restores their strength and health, it also boost your immune system, promotes better sleep, and reduces stress and depression. For more information about saving your soles, contact PediPower, located in Zürich, Switzerland for resources, ideas, and support on your foot restoration journey. Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Georgette Dutoit Georgette Dutoit, Restorative Foot Therapist After a body and life altering sledding accident in Switzerland, Surgeons, Doctors, and Physical Therapists from Zürich's Swiss Olympic Medical Center agreed Georgette would face a lifetime of Pain Management and Orthotic Aids. Drawing on her knowledge from growing up Barefooting the rocky cliffs and tidepools of Southern California's and Mexico's coastlines, her Apache Roots, and updated findings in Sports Science, Georgette made a medically unimaginable recovery – without residual pain and orthotics. She's now using these protocols to help others realize their full mobility potentials, and has opened PediPower, a Concept Foot Center in Zürich, Switzerland including Foot Therapy, Education, and multi-brand Barefoot Shoes.

Written by Empire Of Love, Executive Leadership Coaching & Facilitation The Empire of Love initiative supports executives, boards and organizations in embracing the idea that Love ultimately governs any evolutionary process. We are three professionals from various horizons who are committed t o catalyzing leaders´ and relationship-systems development, expanding consciousness and capacities. With the Empire of Love initiative, we’ve been exploring the relationship between love and power for several years now. Through self and mutual inquiry into our experiences in different environments, through scholarly contributions, and engaging in experiential explorations with leaders and practitioners of systems’ change at the critical times we are living in. Our last shared exploration was the second iteration of our workshop within Relating Systems Thinking and Design, when we joined the Rivers of conversation of RSD13 with a focus on “power with”. We now feel called to pause and contemplate, as a way of harvesting the learning and honoring the wonderful human beings joining us in co-creation. What have we learned so far about love and power? Martin Luther King Jr.’s (1967) words are still a potent clarion call, bringing us directly into the heart of the matter. “One of the great problems of history is that the concepts of love and power have usually been contrasted as opposites, polar opposites, so that love is identified with a resignation of power, and power with a denial of love. Now, we got to get this thing right. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” These words call us to see that love and power are, at their best, mutually informing, and that together, they are at the heart of what we define leadership, or the art of guiding self, others, systems, and the whole, toward better and better versions of ourselves. This is particularly meaningful from our perspective as practitioners committed to supporting the organic unfolding of Life in all its forms. When we develop both love and power, growing our innate capacity to be compassionate and caring beings, and tending to the inner and outer conditions to express our agency and aspirations while empowering others to do the same, we naturally end up being guided by something greater than ourselves, and genuine power with may emerge. In the alchemical reaction of love and power at their best, love becomes a transformative power. As bell hooks suggests, the most profound transformations towards greater good, greater beauty, and greater truth, in our life as in our relationships and communities, are rooted in love. Therefore, we are with our friend Louis Klein at the International Federation for Systems Research, inviting us to shift our current ways of taking action in the polycrisis, mostly steeped in fighting or flying, and “offer a warm embrace instead.” What we see working in our lives as in the larger environment, are shared, co-created experiences that emerge from the awareness and the vulnerability to meet our limitations, our toxic patterns, our blind spots, and let them be welcomed by the warm embrace of other loving beings who share the same intention for evolution. In that embrace, they can evolve, transform, and dissolve sometimes, liberating all the resources that are necessary to thrive. The only way out is through, and together. With the Empire of Love initiative, we aspire to create the conditions of psychological and emotional safety for leaders and systems to transcend the tensions between power over and power under and fully engage in power. This is exactly what we experience every time we meet among us three co-stewards. The field we co-create together is filled with authentic love, which makes it possible for us to be genuinely powerful and access more of our capacities and creativity. We deeply believe every one of us and our systems intimately knows what we need (in terms of structures, processes, and practices) to restore our different balances, tap into our genius, and express it in the world through loving and powerful contributions. So, let’s explore and embrace what’s in the way of our individual and collective thriving and make more space. This is how the polycrisis becomes polyopportunity. Our invitation to summon leadership as love is an invitation to love what’s possible into being. We believe this is our human superpower. We commit to enacting it, even when the initial embrace is so hard to give, even when we would prefer to keep ignoring, suppressing, or fighting what life calls us to see. Even if we feel we did not receive that embrace of love and acceptance ourselves when we needed it most. How do we cultivate the superpower of leadership as love? Within safe and generative spaces, we can tend to our intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual alignment with love as a transformative power so that it becomes a living practice. Social entrepreneur Hanae Bezad recently gave a beautiful account of what’s possible when we live in that alignment. She also refers to Bell Hooks, highlighting the importance of being practitioners of love (not only theorists). Well, we constantly gather evidence of the power of love-based experiential practices to keep learning how to restore and regenerate our systems. It is a delight to co-create such experiences with leaders, scholars, and practitioners committed to expanding individual and collective leadership as love. We are immensely grateful, and awed by the extent of embrace of complexity humans are capable of when offered the space to do so together. Until our next shared exploration. Follow me on LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Empire Of Love Empire Of Love, Executive Leadership Coaching & Facilitation The Empire of Love initiative engages executives, boards and organizations that embrace the irony and the truth of Love, which ultimately governs any evolutionary process. Ilaria Distefano (Italy), Gabriella Fenesi (Hungary) and Silvie Le Muzic (Norway) are the visionary stewards of this initiative. They bring together a unique blend of backgrouonds in organizational and leadership development, action research, sustainability, governance, architecture, creative technologies and entrepreneurship. They channel this diverse experience towards expanding human capacities and partner with leaders and relationship systems committed to growing, prospering, and elevating their contribution to the complexity of our times. References: https://rsdsymposium.org/love-and-power-workshop/ https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/where-do-we-go-here https://www.lionsroar.com/toward-a-revolution-of-love/ https://thefifthelement.earth/opinion/towards-a-soft-landing-a-policy-change-for-dissolving-the-polycrisis/ https://moneysmagazine.me/empowering-change-hanae-bezads-journey-as-a-social-entrepreneur-and-author-and-much-more/

Written by Empire Of Love, Executive Leadership Coaching & Facilitation The Empire of Love initiative supports executives, boards and organizations in embracing the idea that Love ultimately governs any evolutionary process. We are three professionals from various horizons who are committed t o catalyzing leaders´ and relationship-systems development, expanding consciousness and capacities. Think about the last work meeting where you felt fully present, accessible, and capable of tapping into your creative genius and contributing generously and impactfully without feeling depleted. What made that possible?   At Empire of Love, we love this question and revel in the practice of holding spaces where each participant can access all their potentialities to benefit themselves, others, and the whole relationship system. This, too, is leadership as love.   In this article, we are delighted to share some aspects that characterize the experience, which is always a prerequisite when Empire of Love gathers, and the key factors we attend to when we hold such spaces. When we convene, Empire of Love facilitators and participants co-create a feeling of being profoundly safe, connected, brave, inspired, joyful, and energized. We can almost touch the texture of our field when we all summon it because a third entity is felt, a consciousness of our unique leadership as love together. It feels like a potent, expanding wave rippling well beyond the boundaries of our shared space.   This note that I (Ilaria) jotted down a few months after the foundation of Empire of Love still resonates as I write now: “Since our first encounter with Silvie and Gabriella, it became crystal clear to me that our Empire of Love is a reality when we are together. Our space together is absent of dogma, judgment, and barriers; I feel held as I am, participating in co-creating a field where everything becomes possible and where I can express myself freely and share my love abundantly.”   This feeling describes the emotional foundation from which I can honor my truth and my oneness with all living beings, giving me the chance to make the impact I am directed to make in the world. It is very far from my experiences of meetings where I don’t feel heard or seen, from myself first, and when I disconnect and, as such, spoil much of who I am and can contribute. Does this experience sound familiar to you?   We deeply care about holding purposeful spaces with and for all the people who cross our path, those who feel drawn to working with us. We call it co-creating and co-stewarding our 'pro-tainer' (as opposed to a con-tainer) that holds us all safely, intentionally crafted, and at the same time allows us to, or dares us to grow and be/come/ (re)generative together.   What are the factors that make pro-tainers possible? The first, of course, is love joining from a place of genuine care for ourselves and the others we share the space with, understanding that the whole relationship system and the task at hand is always the higher purpose.` Showing up for oneself, others, and the whole in this way is usually the most demanding and determinant step, so we can be creative with how we can support each other in this grounding into love. Grounding into love involves accepting ourselves as we are and genuinely speaking from our hearts, whatever happens to be there at any moment.   Secondly, we design and embrace the shared intention for our co-creation. Our intention becomes a powerful attractor, summoning our energy and capacities and strengthening our connection within the field . In our courses, for example, we all share the intention to grow, witness each other grow, and then cross our respective edges. This journey becomes the focus of our time together. Hence, our efforts and partnerships are directed towards that.   Thirdly, we deliberately engage in co-creating our field by defining the principles we want to infuse into our shared space. We acknowledge that we shape and continuously evolve our system with every thought, emotion, word, and action we think, speak, and act, so we choose to be intentional about that: What do we commit to, to steward for ourselves and each other? The answers to these questions above inform our ways of being and doing together, how we communicate, give and receive feedback, and nurture inclusivity and openness, always honoring beginnings, transitions, and endings.   Fourthly, we invite self-awareness and shared awareness of essential experiences in our relationships with others when we are together. Sharing about how our experience is unfolding helps our relationship system regenerate at will, learning and adapting from every conscious step we take together. Any discomfort we face and attend to can become a potent ´fertilizer´ for the subsequent emergence. Any intuition we receive and share may inform, even reorient, the whole system. Our field then widens or evolves, and our consciousness and capacities expand. We repeatedly attune to our lived experience: Am I speaking from my heart now? Are we stewarding what we most care about in this gathering?   Fifthly, we recommit to and enrich our relationship system or design the partnership alliance in a new system, which allows us to keep expanding our individual and collective consciousness, developing our co-creation and its impact on our larger environment (and the joy that comes from that!), and hence strengthening our connection in a way that opens to ever more possibilities. By taking the pro-tainer co-creation process seriously and assiduously through time, we can be Rexible, creative, and playful together in the now.   Each of these five factors offers infinite avenues for shared exploration and practice. They also build on each other in a powerful amplification of intending, connecting nurturing into the most exquisite experience that is possible for our relationship systems at any moment.   Imagine that all our meetings, whether private, public, or at work, could unfold as a regenerative instance for everyone involved and for the larger whole. How powerful would that be!? Please take this article as a cheerful and tenacious nudge to summon your leadership as love when you hold space for your next meeting. We would love to hear about the beauty that will unfold! Follow me on LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Empire Of Love Empire Of Love, Executive Leadership Coaching & Facilitation The Empire of Love initiative engages executives, boards and organizations that embrace the irony and the truth of Love, which ultimately governs any evolutionary process. Ilaria Distefano (Italy), Gabriella Fenesi (Hungary) and Silvie Le Muzic (Norway) are the visionary stewards of this initiative. They bring together a unique blend of backgrouonds in organizational and leadership development, action research, sustainability, governance, architecture, creative technologies and entrepreneurship. They channel this diverse experience towards expanding human capacities and partner with leaders and relationship systems committed to growing, prospering, and elevating their contribution to the complexity of our times.