Posted on

massage your vagus nerve

Aloha Dear One, 

Most of this past weekend was good. I forgot about the pandemic for at least 3 hours solid. I gardened for a half-day. I enjoyed rainbows and butterflies. And then I hit my edge, hit my window of tolerance and got a wee bit pissy that my husband made fun of me. I took it personally. Ouch.

But the good news is that my nervous system stayed calm and I didn’t flood like I have in the past. I didn’t want to vaporize him as a defensive reaction. Thankfully, I continue to work a daily program of breath-work, yoga and creativity. I contemplate my place on this planet and in this relationship with a loving, tender presence. And I want to offer a few things to help you gain this resilience and build your toolkit of repair. 

My favorite way to calm myself down and step into command central of my nervous system is to massage my vagus nerve with conscious breath-work. I’m eager to offer more about this vital tonic for well-being as we all could use a little extra tender, loving care.

If you wish to learn more, I encourage you to sign up for (another) free series below. Learn to ACTIVATE the vagus nerve to REBALANCE your nervous system and help boost your immune system and overall health! 

Many people in this modern world suffer from overstimulated nervous systems and become desensitized to chronic stress.

Over time, this can lead to low vagal tone, which has been linked to a variety of mental and physical health issues, including chronic inflammation, neuro-degeneration, poor gut function, autoimmunity and cancer.

1. sign up free here, take what you can use, leave the rest

https://vagusnerveconnectionsummit.com

2. My favorite quote from last week. From Trudy Goodman:

3. My favorite Relationships boost yoga with Adriene 

On Sunday, My beloved and I did this lovely yoga practice.

https://fwfg.com/programs/relationship-boost-yoga

4. My offering today, 5/4/20:

Power by Amy Elizabeth

May the power be with you

(for force is over-rated).

May the power of peace that passes all understanding

tenderize your heart on a daily basis.

May your love may shine forth today

as you rededicate yourself 

to your own greater well-being.

May you radiate the compassion for yourself 

while enjoying skillful means with others.

It’s really the big both/and.

May your sense of knowing grow.

For when you release the grip

you receive the gift of tenderness;

when you release the pinch

you feel the flow of love,

when you release the negative self-talk

you love the company you keep with yourself.

Enlightened self-interest results in a (w)holy authentic you.

Solitude becomes a rich replenishment. 

Energetic exchange becomes a soothing ebb and flow.

May it be so.

Posted on

Chillax & Relax

chillax

My poetic words today, 4/20/20:

when I wait for the world to be just so

in order to take a nice deep breath

I generate my own suffering.

when I wait for my husband to do the next inspiring action

in order to take a confident step forward in my passions

I am generating my own suffering.

when I expect others to behave just so

I hold them up to such a high bar that invariably,

I generate suffering for them, as well.

when I release the stones of resentment from my heart

my presence automatically gives us all permission 

to breathe sweetly.

when I tend to the wisdom of my heart

my relationships thrive

even in the midst of pandemic & pandemonium.

when I cut myself some slack

my perfectionistic sensitivities chillax

and I no longer bristle when I hear the word, “relax”

May it be so.

Posted on

Suddenly, we’re told to rest

energy

“Suddenly, self-care doesn’t seem like an indulgence — it’s absolutely essential.”

This is a line from a recent New York Times article espousing the benefits of sleep, hydration, stress management, etc. I say YES! to radical self-care as a daily practice toward everyday enlightenment. The world out there is in crisis, you don’t have to be. Step into command central of your nervous system to change in here to ignite out there. 

Let’s view this pandemic for what it is:

  • We are all interconnected. This is a global pandemic. Realize that just one person standing in unconditional love is 300,000 times more powerful than one contracted in fear. Be the one to choose love. 
  • We need to put the oxygen mask on first, everyday. Remember it is our responsibility to practice radical self-care in order to truly love and care for others. 
  • When we pause and limit travel perhaps the earth takes a heavy sigh of relief. Less toxic waste. Reimagine your reality: this is a positive reframe for all the canceled events. 

Watch this quick 3 min video: Radical Self-Care and the Serenity Prayer

Be loving and kind to yourself. If you’re home, please rest, recharge, and take good care. Remember: We are not alone. Social distancing can exacerbate feelings of aloneness.

Be responsible for the energy you bring into each and every situation. The world needs you as a social pioneer. Find leadership in your being-ness and be a role model for your family, your community, your world.

Let me help you tap into your true calling, your true nature, so that you can enjoy the life of your dreams and the best relationships possible. 

We’re waiting for you to join the Moonshot Magic Movement:

Moonshot is that declaration of doing something extraordinary that wouldn’t otherwise happen. Magic is the sweet surrender to support and success and the trust that your way of being matters most.

  • The problem is we contract in fear and isolate.
  • The solution is connection, accountability and inspiration.
  • The result is everyday enlightenment and success based on your own chosen standards. 

As the Buddha said, “If we are loving and kind to ourselves, we cannot harm another human being.” 

My best quality of love,

Amy Elizabeth

ps: Don’t forget to sign up for this incredible resources, accountability, and connection with the Moonshot Magic Movement! The founding member price of $33/month is available for a limited time. hit reply now and let me know you’re in. we launch on the new moon 3/24 and we can start sooner than that if you ask. I LOVE it when people ask for what they need and want. I’m here for you. Just ask. 

Posted on

acts of fear = acts of violence

acts of fear

What do you do when a wave of fear washes over you?

How do you respond to the tsunami of life that crashes down sometimes? 

I take myself to the beach.
This act of loving kindness toward self
is a commitment.

A stretchy goal.
Five days in a row,
no matter what


You see, coming up this Friday I’ve got surgery

I’m dancing with my fear. 

I’m reclaiming my power. 

for when I’m scared, 
I tend to contract.
I push back.

I get angry.  

Instead of isolating, I 
Gotta get out of the house.

Instead of contracting,

I’m releasing the pinch.

And sharing my strengths here with you, because perhaps you feel the feelings of life intensely. 

and that’s okay

what if? 

Instead of holding it all together…

You allow yourself to Weep. Tears. Ample tears. Lotsa snot…

and instead of playing the look-good game…

you could honestly share your feelings with a trusted friend…

The invitation:

Release. Let go.

Feel the fear. Release the pinch. 

Turn towards others instead of curling up in fetal position. 

Trust yourself to not abandon yourself.

Focus on your part in the nightmare around you.

Do what you can to center yourself.

Repair your relationships.

Then do what you can to serve others.

Repeat. Have Faith that this is enough.

You are enough. 

Posted on

Grounded in Grief

grief

Aloha 

Moonshot Monday: get grounded in grief and gratitude

Here’s the big Moonshot declaration for this week: You can stop manufacturing your own misery. Period.

The Magic is that we can counter the overwhelm of life by allowing space for grace to enter our hearts and time to unwind our minds. No matter what. We can get grounded in our grief and gratitude. 

Click to watch the 13:20 PIP Clip video now. 

My words are more of a poetic list today. Feel my heart. Take what you can use. Leave the rest. Share with others. 

Finding ground in grief and gratitude:

feel the higher power

of gravity.

allow space for grace

to enter your heart.

take time to unwind

and calm your mind.

allow yourself to simply be.

you are enough.

find power in partnership 

together we heal

we tend to the space between 

together, we metabolize the unprocessed grief 

we clear the fear

we feel it to heal it. 

May it be so

You matter. Your relationships matter.   

Comment below and let me know what unprocessed grief you are facing today? the loss of your pet? the dissolution of a relationship? the loss of your eyesight? the loss of your playful, youthful spirit? Name it to reclaim it and metabolize the hurt, let go of the loss and hold on to the gratitude. 

Posted on

Daily Awareness of Relational Health is Vital

pumpkin health

Everett, my 15 year-old, made delicious pumpkin bread from scratch this weekend. Two pans of yumminess. Monday I overindulged and I felt bloated and logy, dull and heavy; sluggish. Not vital as I prefer.

How we relate to food, exercise, sleep, alcohol and drugs is all within the scope of relational health. My aim to be optimally healthy. Daily, I recommit. I begin again, but not from scratch. 

Relational health requires daily upkeep.

Top 5 healthy behaviors

Did you know that only 6% of Americans consistently engage in the top 5 healthy behaviors? These behaviors are no smoking, moderate to no drinking, regular activity/exercise, healthy body weight and adequate sleep.

If you’re feeling healthy, I’m guessing you are following these healthy behaviors consistently.  

I’m in the 6% and I’m grateful beyond measure. My heart is healthy and this is foundational for relational health.

My boys are in this category as well, as well as within a smaller percentage (of privilege, gotta name it for what it is) who have 4 adults living in the household with them who love them unconditionally and who all hold degrees in higher education (two have masters and 2 hold doctorates). There is no active abuse or alcoholism, no TV blaring, no pantry full of processed foods, and no toxic chemical overload. What exists in our home:

  • recovery from alcoholism (me) and moderate consumption by others (Marc and his parents). 
  • mindful consumption of media (no devices at table during meal-times) and designated media-free days.
  • healthy, fresh food from the farmers market in the fridge (and some organic chips, crackers and dark chocolate in the pantry). 
  • vinegar mixed with essential oils and water to clean surfaces (no harsh cleansers).
  • ants and bugs because we don’t use an exterminator (and we clean dishes after each meal and have Sunday chore day to do deeper clean). 

Here’s the thing. I didn’t necessarily grow up in this environment; I created it. Declared my Moonshot (that something extraordinary that wouldn’t otherwise happen) for optimal relational health, including a loving, healthy, uplifted home environment. 

My father died of heart dis-ease. Long before the age of 69 (which is when he actually left this physical plane), he left many unmet desires and dreams behind him. Consumed by stress and starved for passion.

Relationship of stress & passion

Stress is when we live in life that we are not in alignment with, we wrestle with on a daily basis, and we feel powerless over it all and give up in defeat. (and perhaps turn to sweets)

Passion is when we are inspired by our own dreams and desires and find our purpose on this planet. (and perhaps turn to sweets to celebrate)

The story I tell myself is that he drowned in his own suffering, the ache of loneliness too much for him to handle, the dampened desires insufficient to fuel his life. I noticed he ate sweets to find sweetness (though he was diabetic) and took heart medicines to cope with heart dis-ease (though he suffered heart-ache in many of his relationships). 

Granted, Monday I ate 3 times the amount of homemade pumpkin bread than I “needed.” I still have my slips. I still feel the urge to indulge in sugar cravings. I’m human. 

I don’t do it daily. I don’t feel good afterward. And I don’t beat myself up for it. I have the awareness, I have the acceptance, and I take action to do it less frequently.  

Heal heart hurt

My passion is to heal heart hurt by cultivating holistic heart health and weaving the lei of aloha around the world. Finding the bigger love, the higher power, the deeper presence that holds me tenderly and sustains me to keep on keeping on when life gets lifey and I have moments of stress. I recommit to my passionate purpose, through resilience, compassion and service. 

For the record, my father was also a poet, a lover of birds and sunrise, and the provider for my early childhood. I’m grateful beyond measure for his presence in my life, and I’d be lying to you if I told you his diseased life didn’t hurt my heart.  And I’m resilient, I’m compassionate, and I desire to be of service.

And my heart is happy, strong, and bigger than the ocean.