Kim Dennison - Women's Wellness Coach

Monday thought...

The person that you are today, whether you’ve thought of this consciously or not, is largely the end result of millions and millions of words that you’ve heard spoken to you or that you have spoken to someone else. Words are powerful. They shape who we are, the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we act.
Words shape lives, civilizations, nations, history and most fundamentally, our relationship with God.
~ Steven Furtick

It’s been a rough couple of days for our youngest. Instead of taking the regular “let’s talk things through” approach, we decided to try something different.
We grabbed a blanket, made a cape, and played superhero. He must have jumped off the play set 40 times over - laughing and forgetting his troubles.
Maybe you’re a little older than 9 and jumping from any height isn’t your thing 😉 - but be sure to find your equivalent. Something that makes you laugh and takes you to a happier mental space. Find peace in the storm.

I know you’re not there yet (none of us are) - but keep going!! As I cheer you on, use that motivation to hold your head up and smash every one of those obstacles that stand in your way. Celebrate the progress. The victory will be yours in the end. 🌸

Below is a great reply when asked: "What is it that you do to relieve stress in your life?

Now I'm asking you the same question... what is YOUR stress reliever? Setting reasonable goals so work can be competed without added pressure... phone therapy... going for a walk...

I'd love to hear it.

Incongruency: when where we should be or want to be doesn't match up with who we perceive ourselves to be in the current moment.
It is the enemy of self-esteem and quite unhealthy if it is fed by a feeling of not being good enough or is attached to perfection.
However, if we accept who and where we are at the current moment and simply want to improve upon that self because of belief growth and change are good things, it can actually be a very healthy and powerfully motivating feeling.

Have a conversation and plant the idea that it’s OK to talk about mental health issues.

Typically, those struggling feel that admitting they have issues is a sign of weakness. In reality, opening up takes strength and it may be the most courageous things they ever do.

*If YOU are struggling, reach out shamelessly for a listening ear.

Happiest of Days to all the beautiful mama’s. 💜

While we should always remain true to ourselves and personal convictions, it can also be beneficial to assume good intentions of others.

Bring on the failure?! 🤷‍♀️

Interesting dialogue with Nathaniel, my youngest son, this morning.

He said “mom, you know, I tell “A” that it’s a good thing to fail and make mistakes” (“A” is our perfectionist foster son)...

He went on to explain that that’s how he got so good at math... that he’s answered so many questions wrong in that past, but that’s what helped him “get good” at it.

He then went on the explain that even though his friends think he is the best at math, it’s not really true. It’s because they only see the correct answers, not all of the mistakes...

Like, wow! This kid.

But isn’t that also true in the case of someone who’s now successful, or a expert in their field? How many times did they make mistakes, fail, have to pick themselves up and start at square one?

Learning is a forever process... and if you can take the advice from my 9 year old, and look at it in a positive light it’ll be easier to keep on going. We only really fail when we’ve completely given up.

Like so many, I am my own biggest critic... yet I have to keep in mind that I can be the ripest, juiciest, "peach" in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates "peaches", and they are entitled to that opinion.

Not fun to hear but still the truth - and it's the truth that sets you free.

So! what am I going to do about it?
🍑 Continue to build confidence and believe in myself.
🍑 Listen and learn from constructive criticism to improve myself, making sure to filter out the negative.
🍑 Trust my gut, because at the end of the day, I'm the one who gets the final say on which actions I take!

Wellness, in the form of mental health, should be of high priority, especially during times like this.

After talking to a number of people over the past few weeks, the main take-away and sticking point revolved around elevated stress levels and difficulty sleeping. And so, I have taken the time to record a “Sleep through Body Relaxation” podcast.

I hope you make the time - be it a break in the day or before bed - and find some relief while listening to this guided mindfulness meditation.

https://anchor.fm/kim7818/episodes/Sleep-through-Body-Relaxation-ecu7gf

Sleep through Body Relaxation by kim.d. wellness coach • A podcast on Anchor Guided meditation for rest and relaxation.

Happy Easter 👑

Matthew 28:2-6

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

It’s amazing what pressure and heat can do to a substance! Diamonds are carbon atoms structured in a way that reflects light.

Carbon is usually a black, chalky substance called graphite. Graphite is actually carbon crystallized into a geometric shape that absorbs the light. That’s what makes it black. When something absorbs all the light that hits it, that object becomes very dark.

Yet, when carbon is put under intense pressure and heat, then cooled quickly, it changes. It goes from a graphite crystal pattern to a more beautiful crystal pattern that hardly absorbs any light. Instead, it reflects light. It becomes a diamond! It goes from a substance that is extremely brittle – to the hardest substance on earth.

The word “diamond” comes from the Greek word adamas, which means unconquerable and indestructible.

Ask: What is coming up in you during this time that can be used to propel you to the next level with a mindset shift?

Our triggers and negative emotions, left unexplored, will keep showing up along our journey - leaving us to circle the mountain once again. Yet, if we take the opportunity to notice and examine these emotions, we can find ourselves soaring.

What does your mindset look like? Each of us has the power to choose not necessarily what, but how, we experience our own life journey.

This means we can hold ourself accountable to a positive way of being no matter what comes at us, or we lay back with a lacklustre attitude and let the destructive cycle keep us in its grip.

As I think on this, I am reminded of what it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Every circumstance presents a new opportunity to build upon success during life’s adventure.

~ Kim Dennison

Sometimes in life we feel we need to control things in order to feel safe and secure. However, the need to control can actually prevent us from living our fullest life.

Let’s look at three reasons you may feel the need to control...
1. Ego (things need to go an exact way or I’m a failure)
2. Perfectionism (feeling there is only one way to do things)
3. Trust (afraid things would fall apart if not forced to be a certain way)

Take the time to self-assess. Finally, determine to let go and rise above.

This may sound surprising but the longer I’ve been in the fitness industry, the more I find myself becoming irritated with the mainstream hype - yet this is the very field I’ve helped to establish a business.

Dontcha think that now, more than ever, is the time to look at how we can get back to the basics? Why do we continue to ignore what our inner being is telling us?

Let’s take diet culture for example. How are those strict meal plans working out for ya at the moment? Haven’t you reached a high enough stress level with how life is currently playing out? Weighing out portions and adding up calories or macronutrients should not be high on the priority list - if at all even make the list.

Why not take this opportunity to quiet ourselves, listen to what our body needs - if you’re hungry, eat! Bet your chances of binging significantly drop once you take the pressure off yourself. Listen, I’m not saying rummage through the cupboards and grab whatever sugary food is in there... I’m saying make decisions that show your body you want to care for, and nourish it.

Reject the diet mentality, make peace with food, and honour your health!

You’ll feel more relaxed and peaceful, be able to enjoy a variety of tastes you’ve been denying yourself, and discover the satisfaction of showing yourself kindness.

~ Kim Dennison, Women’s Wellness Coach

Let’s Talk... Sanity Blocks

After a week of trying to feel our way through this new (be it temporary) way of living, Ken and I have quickly come to the conclusion that creating our own space is so needed!

This means we acknowledge the craziness, give each other “permission” to vent a little more, and encourage one another to take the dog for a walk or get out for a drive.

These “sanity blocks” as we call them, are scheduled into our day for the purpose of re-grounding ourselves, quieting our mind to destress, and to redirect the negative that tries to creep in by considering the things we are thankful for.

Remember! Health and wellness is not just physical... take care of the whole you!