May 31, 2015

Today I went for a gratitude bike ride. Why a gratitude ride? Lots of reasons.

Twenty-five years ago today I was in a horrible bicycling accident. It taught me a lot about gratitude over the years to follow.

I’m grateful to be alive! Thanks to the expert medical attention, and the presence, kind words and deeds of family and friends near and far, I live — truly live, grateful for each day.

The support was inspiring. I wanted to do everything possible to heal — for myself and my one-year-old twins of course, but later so I could give back and be present for others as well. I remember the tears of happiness that fell when I learned I could ride again. I knew I would heal. Now every time I get on my bike I feel grateful and full of life.

Getting back on the bike helped heal me, not only because it was getting back to something so connected to my trauma, but also, as recent trauma research articulates, it helped heal my body where it registered and stored the trauma.

My experience of trauma recovery has been influential in many ways, most recently in the development of the multi-disciplinary trauma treatment program at Life Solutions.

Knowing how the combination of medical, psychological and somatic approaches worked together so effectively for me, led me to want to offer that possibility to others at Life Solutions.

I just thought you might be interested to know. Wishing you a day with much gratitude, Susan

This Earth day let’s put aside any associations with politics or social groups, and talk about personal environment.  I mean really personal environment.

Have you looked inside yourself lately? What’s going on in there?  Is something hurting, or gurgling?  Are there cobwebs on thought processes or motivation levels?  How’ve you been treating yourself lately?

Let’s make a difference for our environment today by taking a small personal step.  A step to add health to our inner landscape affects more than just that. When we make ourselves better, we influence the world around us in a more positive way.

Now that’s grass roots effort.

We are complex beings, and the different aspects of ourselves interact all the time to create our experience of the world.  It’s important to tend our ongoing health – not only physically, but also emotionally, cognitively and spiritually. Dr. Winch explains it well.

When I was a teenager, I had a poster that said “Bloom Where You Are Planted”.    I didn’t give it much thought at the time.   It gave the wall a nice splash of color.

I’ve reflected on that saying many times since then.  In the plant world some seeds fall close to the parent plant and take root.  Others are carried off by the wind, or hitch a ride with animals to grow and bloom far away.   Some are transplants.  Not all seeds grow.  Not all plants bloom, but many do.

So it is with people, I notice.  Sometimes we settle close to our family of origin, sometimes not.  Growth is influenced by the opportunities, support and nurturing available where we live.  But most importantly, it’s what we bring of ourselves to the experience that determines if we bloom.

With so many things flowering around us this spring, it’s a perfect time to get inspired to do some personal blooming where you are planted right now.  Here’s the plan:

• Seize opportunities – even if they have to be created first!
• Accept the love and the learning in your midst!
• Believe in your personal goodness and capacity!
• And hear the universe cheering you on. Go ahead…
• Bloom baby bloom!

Ahh.  It’s spring. I love spring.  It’s a time for growth and fresh starts.  The daylight is longer, and the temperatures warmer, drawing us outdoors – the perfect place to nurture ourselves and the ways we are growing.

My farm girl roots know how touching and interacting with nature is therapeutic.  In fact now there is research that confirms it!  So often we forget that we ARE nature.  A little time in the grass or the garden or with the animals can reconnect us to life and all its energy.

…..Bye for now – I’m going out to play!