I first came across this phrase in Suzanne Scurlock's book Full Body Presence. Although the phrase itself was new to me, I was certainly familiar with the meaning of it. 

​Quite simply, what are the things in your life - activities, people, places - that nourish you...
that feel life-giving…
that nurture you...
that bring you joy...
that help you experience love...
that connect you to a sense of peace…
that “feed” you spiritually, emotionally, energetically, physically? 

I ask about your nourishing resources on my health history intake form for two reasons:

1. To encourage you to think about the simple things you have access to in your daily life that can support you on your healing journey. The things that you enjoy and find comfort in, that offer you a reset point. When you're aware of what nourishes you, it makes it easier to "choose nourishing resources moment to moment, no matter the situation" (Suzanne Scurlock).
2. To help me gain a fuller understanding of you and your life, beyond your physical ailments and concerns. Your symptoms may be anywhere from mild to more challenging, but they do not define you. My hope is to be able to encourage you to choose your nourishing resources, moment to moment, so that you can continue your healing journey between our sessions.

The work we do together is truly a collaboration. At its heart, healing isn't something that is 'done' to you. It's something we participate in together and it unfolds over time. I support that process, but I don't push or force it. My role is not to "fix" anything, but to support your system in finding a new balance. And to invite you to turn to what brings you joy and connects you to love, so that you can show up from a place grounded in peace and gentle strength as you walk through even the difficult circumstances in life.

Thank you for trusting me to walk with you on your journey.

This was a question I was asked recently by one of my clients on the table. The short answer is... 

Sometimes I focus on my breath. Sometimes I use a "mantra" in the form of an idea from my spiritual practice. Sometimes I do both. Sometimes I use another technique that works for me. But I think the real question being asked is...

• My mind wanders. It is what it is. Rather than get frustrated about it, which leads to me wanting to give up, I make it part of the practice - a practice of noticing. Oh, there goes my mind again, doing it what it does...and now I'll bring my attention back to my breath (or back to my idea for the day)...Oops! There goes my silly mind again, doing that thinking thing it does. Let me come back to my practice. Let your thoughts simply be like clouds moving across the sky of your mind. 

• The point of meditation is not to get it done in some perfect way, but to let it be a practice. It's like building a muscle, just like we would with learning to play an instrument or a sport. Let it be about the journey, not the destination. Practice. Notice. Watch what unfolds. Let it evolve. Let go of judgment and expectation. Let go of trying to get somewhere. 

• Find ways to navigate around the blocks that seem to come up. When I first started my practice, it was inevitable that my mind would remember something important as soon as I started to come to a quiet place within myself. And then I would get stuck there, perseverating on it, worried I'd forget it. I started keeping a paper and pen next to me so I could quickly jot it down and then return to my practice. After a while, as my practice evolved, I didn't need this anymore.

​

• It's okay to find what works for you. There are many different styles of meditation, but what it comes down to at the end of the day is what works for you to make it a consistent practice...

If you've been wanting to start a meditation practice, here are some resources I've found helpful:

• Palouse Mindfulness offers an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course. It's self-guided and completely free.
• Insight Timer is a meditation app that offers a variety of guided meditations and meditation music to support your practice.
• You may want to look into spiritual practices like Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Sufi Remembrance, and meditation practices from A Course in Miracles. (These are simply practices I'm familiar with, but there are many more from various spiritual traditions.)
• And a couple PDFs that I created:
  
  • 5 Simple Tips for Beginning a Meditation Practice
  • Mindfulness Practices

Most importantly, practice patience and gentleness with yourself.
Peaceful practicing! 🌟