Divine Wellness by Traci A. Fonville

My Beautiful Body

Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.

-Janis Joplin

Almost all of us have a distorted image of our body, often due to the importance our culture places on outward appearance and the onslaught of media images of airbrushed models and celebrities. On a daily basis, we talk to ourselves in ways we would never speak to another. Imagine speaking to a child the way you speak to yourself about your body. It would devastate and squelch a child. It affects you similarly, causing stress and emotional pain in your body, which can make improving your health or losing weight even more difficult.

Think of all the intelligence, creativity and time you spend on improving, altering and judging your appearance. Who would you be and what could you accomplish if your valuable resources weren’t used this way? Constant emphasis on the external makes us discount the great presence and intelligence that is housed by the body. It makes us forget the magic of our internal rhythms and fail to acknowledge the beautiful bodies we have.

The body you have right now is incredible! It never misses a heartbeat, it maintains homeostasis and it miraculously digests whatever you put in it….good and bad! It is your instrument for expressing your creativity, intelligence, and love. By focusing on the 1% you don’t like or wish were different, you may be ignoring the remaining 99% of your body that is beautiful, unique and delightful.

What would your life be like if you were simply at peace with the body you have? You may wish to make your body healthier and stronger, but could you do that out of love and respect for your body instead of the opposite? Could you begin to treat yourself with kindness, to limit the negative self-talk and reconnect with your inner wisdom? Take a minute to imagine what that would feel like. It would mean celebrating your body rather than punishing it. It would mean nourishing your body rather than depriving it. It would mean a chance to watch your body flourish when treated with care and respect.

So as the new year rushes in and you begin the process of making new goals for 2018, make YOU a priority! Celebrate, nourish and be kind to your body. Put your fresh new perspective on YOU at the top of your priority list and let it seep down into your everyday doing and being. Happy Holidays!

Traci A. Fonville is a board certified holistic health coach, a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a registered yoga teacher. She is the owner of I Affirm Wellness, which specializes in health coaching and beginner yoga classes. She is a Wellness Advocate for dōTerra Essential Oils and a Brand Ambassador for ItWorks! Follow Traci on Instagram and Facebook @iaffirmwellness. Log onto her websites for health and wellness products at www.mydoterra.com/iaffirmwellness and www.iaffirmwellness.myitworks.com.

Dear AunT,

Q: How do you help your partner cope with disappointments?

Signed: C.A. ~ Partner4Life

A: Depending on the severity of the disappointment, there are a few ways that you can help your partner cope. Unless you are a professional, licensed therapist or counselor, do not try to diagnose your partner. This action will shut your partner down and they will not trust you. You are partners because of the trust. During this time, he/she really just need you to listen, hold, hug, or just be there, so do not play doctor. If it becomes too much for both you and for them to handle, seek professional counseling/therapy. It is perfectly ok to allow others to intervene.

Here are a few ways to help your partner:

1. Listen. Don’t try to give interventions, advice, comparisons, etc…just listen.
2. Hug. Sometimes a hug will do it.
3. Offer your partner a bath (yes, men as well can take baths!). Sometimes just sitting in the water can relax the nerves and tension so that release can take place. You can also add Epson salt or bath cocktails such as bubbles.
4. Change the mood. Make the environment stress free by turning on soothing music, lighting candles, utilizing a vapor with oils such as eucalyptus or peppermint.
5. Offer personal space. Your shoulder/lap/body can be soothing for your partner to cuddle, hold and even cry on.
6. Most importantly, say a prayer and words of affirmations. Let your partner know that everything will be alright. :)

Until next time, I’ll chat with you later!

Love ya,
AunT
Trinette Collier Green is a Certified Relationship Stylist
Submit your questions to simplycindyblog@gmail.com

Sticky Notes by Trinette Collier Greene

Sticky Notes….Sticky Situations Daily Dose of ?!?!

Welcome back to Sticky Notes…Sticky Situations Daily Dose of ?!?! The first half of the school year is coming to an end. The holiday season is here and the kids will be unfocused and excited because of holiday programs, events, and more! It can also be a stressful time for teachers because they are trying to keep the kids focused. Practice testing still must continue and preparation for the New Year is happening. Everyone is scrambling to make it to the last school day in December! Emotions are at an all-time high!

By now, routines have been established, so there should be a flow of homework, conferences, and activities. This is the perfect time to start your school holiday organizing! Start preparing for the class party, class gifts, teacher/administrative gifts and more! There are many ways you can help your child and their teacher during this time.

1. Ask your teacher for a class list and the holiday plans. Even if the teacher is unsure of the holiday plans, you can still get generic class gifts and provide your teacher a store gift card so that they can shop for the party items.
2. Ask your teacher if you can be of any assistance to them during the season. You can file papers, start the cleanup and provide a bathroom break for the teacher.
3. Ask your teacher for their wish list. It may be hard to get one from him/her because they don’t want to say but the thought of you asking will place a smile on their face.
4. Send encouraging words and mini gifts…utilize Pinterest!
5. Be patient with your teacher and child.

Stay connected for more tips on having a great year and more! Until next time, remember to get a daily dose of laughter and love.

Mrs. Collier Greene

Connect with Verse - Poetry Corner! Featuring: C. Michelle Atkins

C. MICHELLE ATKINS

What you want, I got it 

You don't have to explore other options

I'm the only option 

The One you're looking for 

You dreamed of me 

Now I'm your reality 

I'm in your inner space 

Enter space as you enter me 

My mind, the place where the soul resides 

My soul, where you can run and hide 

I'm the "It Factor", the stuff dreams are made of 

Your dreams, when you're awake 

I take you there and lift you high above 

The cares of this world 

Yes, I'm "That Girl" 

Your intergalactic chic 

The galaxy abyss 

The soul star, shooting far 

Above what your mind can conceive 

But what your heart can believe 

And your soul can achieve.... me

Dear AunT,

Q: Should you ask questions about your mate's past?

Signed: L.S. ~ Learning to Love

A: While pursuing a healthy relationship, we are naturally inquisitive about our mates and their past relationships. When we find bits and pieces of the past, we try to connect the dots and then compare to the current connection.

However, if you are concerned about the past and begin questioning it, be very prepared for the answers. Questions are good. They can provide insightful information that will help you with your current relationship and expectations.

Before you start the questioning process, be clear about why you are asking. Are you being nosey? Petty? Are you wanting to know the dating pattern? Was there any abuse? Mishaps? Whatever your motive is, just be clear about it. You don’t want to sound like the FBI in an interrogation room! Then ask yourself, what are you going to do with the information given? Will it help you to make the decision of staying or leaving the current relationship?

Questions can be part of the learning process, it’s how you ask them and when you ask. So again, be very clear about why you are asking about the past and what do you plan to gain from it. The past is the past, let it be. Of course, if there is any type of harmful acts or abusiveness, make sure to make a decision that will ensure your safety.

Until next time, love, live, and laugh!
Chat with you next week!

Love ya,
AunT

Trinette Collier Green is a Certified Relationship Stylist
Submit your questions to simplycindyblog@gmail.com

Connect with Verse - Poetry Corner - Featuring Glacia Townsend

Glacia Townsend

RACE

AGGGGHHHHHHH! This whole race thing is really frustrating

All the killings of these black males with no hesitating

And then to boot, with no penalty or indictment in the end

Yes, some of the males may be wrong, however then you need to apprehend

Punish them and/or make them do time

Because No, they should not just get away if they committed a crime

But to put them in a GRAVE

C’mon these young lives could have been saved

And what gets me… is when there are no weapons found

However, his family is suffering because he is 6 feet in the ground

While the murderer gets off scot-free

And you are telling me justice is distributed equally

I know one of the issues is this word called RACE

We were created equally I don’t know how that part got so displaced

God created one race called human… go on take a look

Nowhere in the Bible it reads differently trust I looked through that book

Yes we have different cultures, ethnicities, and pigments in our skin

But because of that for our life, we have to defend

This is the 21st century and still so much more room for change

We went from hangings, where we believed that to be strange

So no more strange fruit on sycamore trees

However, the killings are now with guns still done publically

Who are you to judge that a life can just be taken away

So how do you get to decide who goes and who stays

We are all human I which we could just all understand

To live in love with one another is Gods plan

Not to hate on the bases of pigment of someone’s skin

Take a moment and check yourself within

You bleed and hurt and I do too

That’s because I too am human just like you

Why can't we treat each other with respect and be a little kinder

Why do I have to write these words as a reminder

That its only one race so how could one, when there’s only one be better

God put us all here to live peacefully together

And for a very long time that has not been the case

We have allowed Satan to intervene and try to divide the human race

C’mon we can’t continue to let him win

Especially by being divided because of the difference in our cultures, ethnicities or color of our skin

It hurts me so bad to realize that we come so far but yet still have so far to go

However, I think even little steps can continue to help us grow

Let’s not loot and steal because two wrongs never become right

But let’s stick together like snowflakes to win this fight

One snowflake alone does not shut anything down

However, when they all stick together they can shut down schools, businesses, and towns

Let’s make a difference that will last forever

Let’s promise not to give up, never!

But let’s see this thing all the way through

And remind each when asked what’s your race… reply, 

I am HUMAN just like YOU!

Written by Glacia Townsend

Dear AunT,

Q:  What are the components of a strong relationship?

Signed: R.G. ~ Waiting & Ready

A:  There are many components that can build a foundation for a strong and healthy relationship. However, it really depends on the individuals.

When you enter a relationship, you must set up your expectations and start building from there. Remember, a strong foundation cannot be built after the first day or date of the relationship. It is work.

Here are some components that I incorporated during the initial dating stage;

1. I set my expectations of what I wanted in a relationship and I shared it with my partner IN CONVERSATION! Not text, emails, gifs, or emojis….I talked!
2. I listened and understood my partner’s expectations. It wasn’t one sided and again, it was through conversation.
3. When we started officially dating, I did not worry about a title, I wanted to enjoy dating because my expectations were already set. Meaning, he knew that I was not looking for a one night stand or cuffing buddy. :)
4. We built a friendship… listening and learning with each other and from each other.
5. We took our time, being patient is essential. We allowed things to flow.
6. We found a common denominator in our spiritual life, meaning, we prayed.
7. We enjoyed every part of the process and are still enjoying it.

So I hope this will give you a start and I wish you the best!

Until next time, I’ll chat with you later.

Love ya,

AunT