June 4, 2024 — Between the intense weather, the wars, escalating political strife, and the high cost of living, it’s hard to imagine all is well. But continuing to imagine, we must.
As I started writing this to you yesterday, I happened to mention to Creative Coordinator Bianca that I’d somehow bitten my lip. “Are you feeling anxious?” she asked, then explained that it’s an extremely common, though unconscious, sign of stress and anxiety. Hmm.
That took me back to a year ago when my neighbors and I were all concerned by rumors that an exceptionally high building assessment was coming. We all feel so blessed to live in one of the last remaining old former Miami Beach motels right on the water, so we had to wonder, “Will this price us out of here? How much is too much to pay to stay? Or do we move? If so, where?!”
In a complete tizzy, I did a session via skype with respected psychologist Claudia De Angelis, who we came to know through our beloved Cardie Yoga instructor Paola. The clarity and insight gained through working with Claudia and her hypnotherapy techniques is generally nothing less than magical, and my take-away from that session was powerful. Claudia’s bottom line: Rather than scurrying around trying to anticipate every eventuality and stewing in angst, we’re far better served by building trust in ourselves, a surer sense that we will be able to handle whatever comes. That feels so much better!
To calm my nerves and quiet my mind, once a week I go for what I’ve found to be an amazing antidote to worldly concerns: acupuncture. Practitioner Nancy Clark somehow recharges my battery and bolsters my immune system, along the way sharing new and old world wisdom like a living, breathing encyclopedia of self-care. It’s wonderful.
I go in telling Nancy that my mind is like a pinball machine, with all the anxious thoughts pinging around up there. An hour later I emerge so calm, only wishing I could stay that serene without a dozen tiny, well-placed needles in me! Nancy maintains, “Now is a time when we all need to do everything possible to soothe our souls.”
She advises, “Keep doing what you’re doing — coming here, attending Cardie Yoga, petting your dog, baking those little loaves of lemon blueberry bread you so love sending off in care packages, and maybe spend more time meditating or praying.”
With thanks to Claudia and Nancy, we’d love for you to share with the Cardie Community your own most comforting self-soothing ways. Looking forward to reading.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
petting.
baking.
praying.
June 4, 2024 — Between the intense weather, the wars, escalating political strife, and the high cost of living, it’s hard to imagine all is well. But continuing to imagine, we must.
As I started writing this to you yesterday, I happened to mention to Creative Coordinator Bianca that I’d somehow bitten my lip. “Are you feeling anxious?” she asked, then explained that it’s an extremely common, though unconscious, sign of stress and anxiety. Hmm.
That took me back to a year ago when my neighbors and I were all concerned by rumors that an exceptionally high building assessment was coming. We all feel so blessed to live in one of the last remaining old former Miami Beach motels right on the water, so we had to wonder, “Will this price us out of here? How much is too much to pay to stay? Or do we move? If so, where?!”
In a complete tizzy, I did a session via skype with respected psychologist Claudia De Angelis, who we came to know through our beloved Cardie Yoga instructor Paola. The clarity and insight gained through working with Claudia and her hypnotherapy techniques is generally nothing less than magical, and my take-away from that session was powerful. Claudia’s bottom line: Rather than scurrying around trying to anticipate every eventuality and stewing in angst, we’re far better served by building trust in ourselves, a surer sense that we will be able to handle whatever comes. That feels so much better!
To calm my nerves and quiet my mind, once a week I go for what I’ve found to be an amazing antidote to worldly concerns: acupuncture. Practitioner Nancy Clark somehow recharges my battery and bolsters my immune system, along the way sharing new and old world wisdom like a living, breathing encyclopedia of self-care. It’s wonderful.
I go in telling Nancy that my mind is like a pinball machine, with all the anxious thoughts pinging around up there. An hour later I emerge so calm, only wishing I could stay that serene without a dozen tiny, well-placed needles in me! Nancy maintains, “Now is a time when we all need to do everything possible to soothe our souls.”
She advises, “Keep doing what you’re doing — coming here, attending Cardie Yoga, petting your dog, baking those little loaves of lemon blueberry bread you so love sending off in care packages, and maybe spend more time meditating or praying.”
With thanks to Claudia and Nancy, we’d love for you to share with the Cardie Community your own most comforting self-soothing ways. Looking forward to reading.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
petting.
baking.
praying.
Yes to mailing cards and getting outside! Can’t wait to return after awhile, to learn about more ideas from fellow Cardies, but let me add the practice of havening. Google it! Look for a video about havening techniques. I first learned about the soothing effect of palm-to-palm contact in a hospice volunteer training session, only later learning about the self-calming “havening hug.”
The timing on this email is spooky. Last night I woke up & couldn’t quiet all the anxious thoughts going on in my head. I have concerns for family members & friends going through difficult times plus my own health worries. So I did what Paola has taught us, sit up & fold over our legs & practice breathing techniques. I was finally able to sleep. Always so grateful for those yoga classes.
I agree with Rosemary about getting outside. The temperature can be limiting on that for me, but being out in nature tends to be soothing for my soul. The greenway paths around here are beautiful.
And maybe “soothing” isn’t the word for this, but regularly volunteering restores hope and purpose in challenging times. Even a small act of tangible love can make a difference. Volunteering breathes life into me and makes our world just a little bit better.
I have what I call my anxiety toolbox. First I imagine what the worst scenario could be and what the best could be and somehow “facing all the potential outcomes of an issue” helps calm me down. Then I can focus on fun things,like baking & cooking as it I enjoy feeding people. And lastly,but no less important, is sending cards with upbeat news and corny little stories and our Fairy Cardmother is a huge help here! (As I wait impatiently for my latest batch of cards,wink)
Cards, yes! Mailed two this morning to hopefully lift some spirits. And definitely printed that bread recipe.
Mindfulness. My thoughts have the habit of running rampant. And, that makes going to sleep difficult, just like Mad described. A while back I realized many people have the same habit, but I didn’t have a clue about how to break the habit. Then I started blundering my way into information about mindfulness. I’d be looking for something else, and mindfulness would pop up.
Mindfulness is simply a way to be present. To stop rewinding and fast forwarding my thoughts and be HERE NOW. Breath, yoga and other things Cardies have been talking about are all tools that moved me into experiencing mindfulness. It”s an on-going process; overthinking is keeps rearing its head. But my life is much better now that mindfulness has snuck in.
Now i”ll goggle havening and find out what that is!