Sense of Place

Finding beauty in a broken world is creating beauty
in the world we find.— Terry Tempest Williams

 

My new favorite morning ritual, after coffee, is to bundle up, grab the ball thrower and head out with the dogs to walk the perimeter of the farm.

In this walk, I'm not allowed to look at what needs to be done...
The only goal is to observe what is changing, what is consistent, and what is "new" to me.

This more present observation has served as a meditation and connecting force to provide a more secure sense of place.

Sense of place is defined as the meanings of and attachment to a place held by an individual or a community (Semken 2005) from Global Sustainability 2021.

It is through this meaning and attachment that we become committed to its health, vibrancy and stewardship.


So whether its your kitchen, backyard, or neighborhood block or even your website...might you consider cultivating a deeper sense of place with it (maybe just for a day)?

...

Continue Reading...

On Purpose

Over the past several months, our Joy Harvest- Fall Leadership Council discussed how to incorporate personal sustainability strategies into business (and the business of life).

As we held our closing retreat this past week, we talked about honing in on "purpose" and how layered that word can be as not everyone feels a strong sense of purpose every day as they navigate the complexities of business development, leading families, and navigating a changing environment.

Oxford defines the action of purpose as " to have as one's intention or objective", which is a simple lens in which to define purpose in big or small ways as we enter a new year.

If having purpose simply means creating intentions,  doesn't that free us up to shift on purpose whenever we want to or need to depending on current circumstances  or circumstances we are hopeful to co-create?

All that being said, perhaps a life of purpose is one simply built on intentional action on behalf of what matters...

Continue Reading...

Stewardship of Love

Uncategorized Dec 24, 2021

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

The capacity to hold love for something or someone, that deep sense of affection and care or wellbeing for another and then the capacity to let others hold that for us is far from a simple endeavor.

As I have been reflecting on this past year and the moments in which love has emerged or has been lost, I'm cultivating a deeper curiosity of how to become a better steward of love in all aspects of my life.

The word stewardship implies an active intention to care for and take care of,  so, what does stewardship of "love" look like?  I imagine it might look like keeping the fire lit for what feels most important and cultivating a deeper connections versus maintaining  transactional relationships with ourselves, with others, with our work and with our environment.

As we immerse ourselves in this season of giving, receiving, and engaging in...

Continue Reading...

Prepare for Solstice:Ā out of darkness & into light

Uncategorized Dec 17, 2021

 

This Tuesday (12/21) will be the Winter Solstice- our darkest day of the year.  

It is my favorite time of the year to bring closure to the past and set intention for what we want to create and experience in the year to come.  As a practice, I like to incorporate the following "mini-retreat" recipe:

1. Prepare to honor the darkness  and welcome the light.  Life is full of dark, scary, painful times.  We must take time to properly honor and grieve what has been lost and cannot be recovered.  We must also acknowledge that darkness can be a time for rest and when we are rested, we are more prepared to welcome the light of new experiences, opportunities and possibility.  How can you carve out some time to honor the darkness and welcome in the light?

2.  Acknowledge the role of winter in the natural change cycle.  How some beings must shut down and  hibernate to save energy while  some plants and...

Continue Reading...

Its the most wonderful time of the year, right?

Uncategorized Dec 03, 2021

 

The festive holiday season is upon us and if this gives you joy and you are all about it....that is awesome.  I want to see you in all of your holiday flare.

For many, this time of year can be very disruptive and the opposite of grounding.  It can bring up challenging family dynamics, emphasize grief and loss, and/or increase overwhelm and stress.

Wherever you sit - please know, you are not alone and I hope you can give yourself permission to be wherever you are at.  Be the sparkly joyful you....or cancel all plans and cozy up by the fire with a book.   You get to design EACH day to align with your values, integrity and personal health and wellbeing.  No one else can (or will) do that for you.

I took this picture of the sunrise over Moonstone Farm this week.  Each day the sun rises...that much is predictable (at least we hope so!).  How it rises, how it shows up, in all its glory, is different every day.

However...

Continue Reading...

Back to Square 1

Uncategorized Nov 12, 2021
 

 

I brought these two nutballs to the office with me a few days this week.  My husband Josh has been working the overnights at the hospital- so he's sleeping during the day and these two aren't having it.  

Rest/sleep is the MOST important activity in our house.   Without it we cannot sustain our energy for our priorities and our relationships.

It has hit me this week that I am actually sleep deprived- more than I realized.  With the welcoming of our new puppy Birdie- we haven't really had a good night sleep in 3 months.  I know that all new parents can relate...and more than once I've had the thought.. "I'm too old for this" :).

 

In addition, my kiddo is in high school now with a more mature social scene that requires me to stay up past my normal 8pm bed time to ensure everyone is where they need to be- at the time they need to be there.  

I recognize that I'm very much still in Square 1 of a new...

Continue Reading...

The Right to Love

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
- Jimi Hendrix

You have the right to love.... 

I think that is a message that is getting buried right now and yet it is the power of love that is going to help navigate whatever challenges we are facing.

So, a simple reminder again- you have the right to love....

  • yourself
  • your body
  • your home
  • whomever you want to love
  • your business/ career
  • your hobbies
  • your environment
  • your community
  • your life
  • your values and beliefs

This weekend....

Exercise that right...love it up and be open to receiving it from others who are exercising too :)

Continue Reading...

Deepen Connections

You think that because you understand "one" that you must therefore understand "two" because one and one make two. But you forget that you must also understand "and."

- Donella H. Meadows

We studied Systems Theory as part of sustainability curriculum in graduate school. One of the foundational concepts is that the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts." 

Take the human body for example - we are made up of several complex systems (nervous, respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal, digestive, etc) and together they create one heck of a unique human (the whole). It's not just these parts that make the human... it's how they work together, in connection. If one of those parts is not functioning well, it impacts the whole system.

Sometimes when we are feeling burnt out in business or life in general, it can be helpful to examine the connectedness of our "systems" and energize and deepen the connections that might not be functioning as well as you want them to be. Such...

Continue Reading...

Take A Break

My family loves to go river rafting. This summer we hired professional guides and paddled in the Grand Canyon. It had been awhile since we were in someone else's boat, following their commands, and we did so willingly as it felt like the stakes were high.

I loved watching the Guide read the water ahead and then tell us to paddle forward two strokes or four or paddle hard or take a break.  Each of those commands represented a strategy to navigate the moment - fully knowing what's coming up around the riverbend.

Taking a break becomes a super important strategy to be able to sustain the paddling through the big waves.

It's no different in navigating business.

We know that success comes from showing up, doing hard things, and building systems over time that will make your operations more effective and efficient.

 We make waves on purpose and sometimes by accident- and if we are following the river analogy, we won't be able to sustain our work without...

Continue Reading...

Change Your Mind

Chances are if you are feeling burned out in your business, you have some thoughts or belief systems that aren't helping you.

I think it's important to remember that no product, service or system is created without a vision and a belief that it is possible.

If you are struggling to believe, it's time to tackle those limiting thoughts and make a choice of what you want to believe on purpose.

Why? Because our thoughts and feelings determine our actions and behaviors which lead to our results.

If what and how you think is paramount to your future desired state, don't you think it's crucial that you "mind your mind" and change it if need be?

The first step in this process is to track your thoughts and become more aware of the current beliefs that are swirling around up there.

What thoughts or beliefs do you have about your business - that might not be serving you?

As you track these thoughts, notice the sensations or feelings that come up for you.  

Then, make a...

Continue Reading...
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Close

50% Complete

Ready to dig in?

Learn the 4 step backcasting process + get a free template to get started on your backcasting today!