“Why is it so hard to let that which is, be? To let people like you when they like you, let them dislike you when they dislike you, let health come when it will, to let go when it will depart? All teachings exist in the answer to that question.”…

“We need to prioritize our social relationships like our life depends on it, because it does.” Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad The science is clear. Social isolation and loneliness are hard on our health and life span. We can feel alone in a group or happy on our own so it’s more than physical proximity. What are some factors to consider? Am I bored? Do I need to infuse new life…

Being in survival responses of fight/ flight/ freeze kills intimacy When we’re in fight, people are scared of us and protect themselves from our anger When we’re in flight, we’ve emotionally left the building When we’re in freeze, we’re numb and disconnected Neuroception is our unconscious assessment of safety and threat Through somatic mindfulness, we bring our conscious awareness to this unconscious process.

don’t you imagine the leaves think how comfortable it will be to touch the earth instead of the nothingness of air and the endless freshets of wind? From Song for Autumn, Mary Oliver At times I long for the comfort of touching the earth instead of being buffeted around by…

I admire Bell Hooks She was fiercely intelligent, wise, creative, a writer known for truth and compassion, and an activist. What are some qualities you admire in yourself? What are you cultivating? We admire people who exhibit these traits: bravery and valor; the capacity to love/be loved; clear thinking…

“Dignity is a kind of integrity. I am here. All of me gets to be here. Dignity to me is I don’t have to puff up or diminish others whose lights are trying to shine. I don’t have to prove it. I don’t need you to witness my dignity or approve of me. My dignity is intact without you. My dignity is not actually about you. …

Being in relationship and community helps us navigate the storms of life. It is advanced practice to see each other as full human beings. …

We both long for and are scared of connection. We make a bid for connection and sometimes no one catches it. We do practices to know in our body that an unmet bid isn’t personal, but it still hurts when it lands on our core deficiency beliefs. “Connection is medicine. Real human connection and mutual community support are the keys to healing trauma. Shame is the…

Strong social connections and a supportive social network contribute to a fulfilling and satisfying life. Social health is an essential component of overall well-being, as it influences mental, emotional, and physical health. We are born with a need to connect. Children who experience developmental trauma have less opportunity to grow…