Month: January 2015

Nourishment in different forms and flavors

mydailywhale

IIN CertificateI am a newly minted graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and one of the most compelling concepts I took from the program was the idea of Primary and Secondary Foods. Secondary Foods are the actual foods that we consume. Primary Foods are all the other things in our life that nourish us mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
It doesn’t matter how clean my food plan might be, if I am out of alignment with the things that bring me joy, fulfillment and connection then I will not experience the richness and fullness of the life that I crave.

I have felt this misalignment time and again when I have tried to compartmentalize aspects of my life. My life (body, mind, spirit) rebels and reminds me that it cannot be compartmentalized and separated. Each component impacts the other, and imbalance in one area of my life has ramifications for the other areas of my life.

People need dreams, there's as much nourishment in 'em as foodEmbracing this idea of interdependency reminds me of the importance not only of how I am nourishing myself through what I put into my body but how I am nourishing myself through my activities, my thoughts, and my relationships.

 

 

Welcome to My Daily Whale!

mydailywhale

Do you ever feel like you have thoughts and ideas bubbling up inside of you looking for a outlet and a way to be shared?  About 6 months ago, out of nowhere, I started to feel this way big time.

The urge to find my voice and to write, to take what swirls around in my head and my heart and put it down on paper, came on strong.  I felt drawn to capture and share the things that inspire me,  the nuggets of opportunity that can be found in every situation, and the people, places and moments that bring joy, contentment and fulfillment to my life.

what-if-you-flyLast summer, when the little voice in my head started to say “write…write…write” my heart answered with a resounding “YES…this feels right!”.  However, the voice of my inner critic responded with an equally resounding and strident “are you freaking crazy??!”  

I am a fairly private person so the idea of putting my thoughts out into the world brings up a lot of vulnerability for me.  In the lead up to launching My Daily Whale, resistance and doubt have been regular and familiar companions.  I have asked myself repeatedly, “why do you think you can write?  And even if you can, what makes you think anyone would be interested in your musings on life?”  Oh, the joys of the inner critic!

At the same time I have experienced an unmistakable pull to take a leap of faith and start putting a little bit more of myself out into the world, to be more vulnerable, more open.  What is the worst that can happen?  I guess the worst that can happen is that no one reads my blog or those that do think my time would be better spent elsewhere.

But what if?  What if what I write resonates with someone?  What if what I write inspires someone to take action in their life? What if what I write gives voice to something someone else has not yet found a way to express?  What if?

To me, the “What If’s” are worth the risk and I’m ready to take the leap and see if I can fly.

Thanks for coming along on this journey!

To read more about how My Daily Whale came about click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving through life

mydailywhale

Similar to how I feel when I am in my creative process, moving my body produces an experience that is both freeing and centering. Bringing movement into my life makes me feel rooted, grounded, connected as well as expansive, empowered and liberated.Take care of your body it's the only place you have to live in

Movement has always played a large role in my life. My mum, who ran around London in the 70’s and early 80’s in her leotard, tights and Indian skirts teaching yoga, exercise and dance, has been an amazing role model for me on the importance of movement in our lives. She showed me how moving impacts us on so many levels beyond just the physical.

For me, the idea of movement encompasses my physical practice, as well as how I choose to interact in this world, how I carry myself, and how I feel “in” my body on any given day.

Movement has been an amazing teacher in my life. It has shown me how to shift my mood. It has revealed both my strengths and my vulnerabilities. It has made me feel alive and connected to myself and to something bigger. Movement has, in many ways, taught me about gratitude and acceptance.