Michelle Dixon

I've had a tough year, and even I have had to grapple with the discomfort of taking time off, letting myself feel like crap, having a day in bed, giving myself permission to be unproductive, to cry, to feel all the feelings.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Coming out the other side of it I can see how much I needed time off. I can see that the gift of letting yourself fall apart is to then put yourself back together again as someone slightly different ... with more self-awareness, and new gifts.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I mean it's really crazy how being a workaholic is so prized in our society, being busy, working long hours, etc. And in contrast, I marvel at how spending a day in bed staring at the ceiling can sometimes be the PERFECT medicine that we should all be talking about.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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"Do nothing today. Just nothing. That's your medicine."⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The magic of living is allowing life to live through you, rather than trying to always live it. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We humans, especially these days, approach life as something to manage, plan, organize, and YES, that sometimes is what needs to happen.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But we forget that life is also its own force, living through us, guiding us, taking us on a ride, and there is wisdom in listening to to that, too.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Life or Nature, however you conceive it.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's a dance, isn't it? Between you the do-er, and life itself.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My new mantra: ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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"Show me what my body and mind needs, and I will allow that to move through me, and then I will take inspired action and get things done." ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sydney/Melbourne, Australia, Sunday Dec 5, 8 AM⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
USA, Saturday Dec 4, @1 pm PST and 4 pm ET.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
UK, Saturday Dec 4, @9 PM⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We're ready for part 2! Bring your questions! The FREE replay of part 1 is still in my Insta profile links if you want to listen and then get back to me with questions for part 2.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! I will be posting the free link a few days before and you can just hop on and watch live.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Panellists from left going clockwise: ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀anoushka⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀_.easy._.life⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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moderator & producer:⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I've seen people come back from tremendous setbacks and overcome huge trauma - not that it's not forgotten, and not that it hasn't changed you - but the potential you were born with is still there, and when you tap into it, it can lift you past grief and into a new kind of life.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Potential goes by many names, but it's the superpower you were born with, that thing that drives your interests and talents and makes you 100% capable of making a unique contribution in the world.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Your ability to always see what's real and true, what few others can see or appreciate in the world.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Your secret desires.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That thing you were good at that maybe wasn't appreciated or recognized.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What comes easier to you than most.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That which lights you up and gives you hope.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The passion with which you want to change the world.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Life always contains an element of suffering, and for some worse than others. But what happened to you does not make you or destroy you. There is always the real you waiting for recognition, waiting for permission to take control of your life.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💥💯❤️

What preoccupies you? What's the recurring emotional energy of your thoughts? (Fear, stress, worry, love, joy, excitement)? ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What story do you tell yourself about your worth, about your potential, that might be holding you back or pushing your closer to achieving your goals?⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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LISTEN. ⁣💥⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I often tell my clients, spend a few days with a journal in hand, and when you notice your mind chatter, notice the theme and emotional tone, and write it down.⁣ ✍🏽⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Over a few days you'll get a sense of where your mind is at.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Now look at your life. See the connection.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's a POWERFUL practice. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I love noticing how my inner life and thoughts have changed in theme and emotional tone over the years. It's an amazing barometer of my own growth.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Try it and let me know what you think! ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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➡️ "What if I have few desires? Or what if my desires are bad for me?"⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Desires are different from cravings or addictions.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Umm, FYI, wanting a chocolate chip cookie is more like a craving, not a desire. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What's the desire behind the craving?⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The desire might be 'self-nourishment' or 'a reward' or 'to feel good'. The desire hooks onto a craving, sometimes. ⁣Addiction can mask a true desire that comes from hurt, pain, lack.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Just to be clear. There are times of the month when I BEG my 13 yo to bake chocolate chip cookies. He has NAILED the recipe - and you should be VERY jealous. 🍪🍪⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm just saying that we all have desires that come from our hearts, and our hearts really do know what we want in our life, what will fill us up, what will make us feel good, and help us live our purpose. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I work with trauma survivors often and unfortunately trauma can disconnect us not just from our true desires, but also from our sense that we even DESERVE to fulfil them. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So just practice. Notice. What do you desire? A cookie? A soul mate? A new wardrobe? A long walk in nature? More time? More energy? Less pain? More inspiration?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's all okay. It's all your soul whispering your truth. 💜💯💥 ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Tomorrow (Saturday morning in Australia) I'm speaking about my mindfulness approach at this event - 6 core practices for peace. It's a simple series of practices to shift you from suffering to peace.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Join me at this free event! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Our simple and powerful vision for the Australian section of the Global Transformation Festival is based on the belief that as we learn about people from different cultures and the countries they live in, we are able to recognise the sameness that exists beyond any superficial differences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We also value that each of us have a unique finger print and message. And together we create the beautiful tapestry of life. In our shared humanity, we open a connection through our hearts and minds which is a powerful generator of mutual respect, appreciation and Unity Consciousness.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Join over 80 inspirational speakers and workshops, from a broad range of topics in spirituality, health & wellbeing, education, empowerment, community, technology, arts, culture, women, youth and governance.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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READY TO JOIN THIS COLLECTIVE SHIFT?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Register for your tickets!!

www.gtfaustralasia.com

FREE Event!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀australia

Break the cycle!

Did you miss it? No worries! Check my profile links to watch this amazing part 1 of 3 live FREE events to support your recovery from narcissistic abuse.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Panellists clockwise from top left:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀anoushka⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀_.easy._.life⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Plus our producer & epic organizer:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Non-compassion is self-judgement, and judging yourself for your present experience might look like: ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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- believing that you should be recovering faster than you are⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- repressing/denying strong feelings⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- feeling shame about symptoms of trauma (from social anxiety to panic attacks)⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you're in pain right now, your body-mind is processing/releasing all that happened in the past up until this present moment. And that may feel a little messy and out of control. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Oh, the human mind is so clever at creating meaning and projecting that meaning onto all of the future! We create all kinds of stories and beliefs in order to protect ourselves, to make sense of the senseless.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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However ...⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pain doesn't mean a lack of progress.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Huge feelings don't mean an inability to be at peace.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Despair doesn't mean you will never feel hope.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Healing does not easily submit to reason. There is a messy process of release, of expressing what got stuck in your throat, of screaming out what you couldn't find words to say in the moment of trauma. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Healing is about peeling back the layers one by one. Remove one layer of pain and feel better, until the next one has space to be seen and felt and peeled back.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That's why healing doesn't feel linear.⁣💫⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Self-compassion is ultimately allowing. Allowing it all without creating a rule about it being wrong.⁣ Where you are now is not where you are going. 💫⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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❤️

It's kind of like saying: You are enough.💫⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is on my mind a lot lately, as my inner world shifts so rapidly that my outer life cannot keep up!⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Your life, the meaning of it, the meaning you give it, has never been about what you 'accomplish' or how you spend your 9-5 days or whether you have a relationship, the house you own, and so on.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You - your essence, your embodied soul, your personality and talents and struggles and your ever-evolving self-awareness and transcendence - is art.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'll get back to that in a moment.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Increasingly, as I navigate middle age and the world around me changes, and my old ambitions fall away, I value the contribution of simply being -⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The open-hearted listener.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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She who struggled and overcame and feels peace.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The early morning cuddler of small loving dog.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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She who laughs as the cat attempts to attack daughter's crochet yarn.⁣ 😂⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The shopper of food to feed my hungry teenagers.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The one who adores the stillness of solitude and meditation.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘵.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I just think that living is an artform. It's not a race. It's not a test. It's an opportunity to take the ingredients given you by birth, by trauma and struggle, by epiphany and self-reflection, and craft it into your unique self.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Be the you you've dreamt of. ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Live life on your terms. I am grateful for your contribution! ❤️⁣ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I don't often share my blogs on here, but I had to share this one on the 6 stages of healing (copy/paste) because it's huge and meaty and hopefully, super helpful! ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://michelle-dixon.com/stages-of-healing/⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Not only do I explain each stage, I also share how it may play out in your life, and what you can do while you're in it in order to progress to the 'next' stage. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Yes, healing isn't linear (I even share how in certain stages you can be thrown back to a previous stage). ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Healing can be messy. You could be at stage 5 in one are of your life and stage 1 in another. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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IMPORTANT: each of these stages is not 'better or worse' - they are simply stages towards change and peace presented in an order we often take in our suffering-healing journey. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You really are exactly where you need to be. Most importantly, you have everything you need to move towards peace.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Lots of love!⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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# # ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://michelle-dixon.com/stages-of-healing/ ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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⤵️ share in comments.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm reading Jeff Booth's the Price of Tomorrow about deflation ... okay it's not light reading but it's fascinating! Also trying to get through Stanley Rosenberg's the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve which is taking time as I want to practice all he suggests as I go. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But I'm also revisiting my books about Gene Keys - fascinating stuff! ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What about you? Bit of Joe Dispenza perhaps...? Something on healing...? Share if you feel like it ⤵️

Go to> My Insta Profile > link called "⬇️Current Offers⬇️" > click top link "QUESTIONNAIRE"⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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or copy/paste this link: https://bit.ly/2V6iW6K⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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FULL DESCRIPTION:⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I will be hosting a panel discussion on Narcissistic abuse and emotional healing. This free event brings together experts who will be able to answer your questions and speak to your concerns about a range of issues, such as: practical guidance for navigating a Narcissistic ex and/or co-parent; setting boundaries; dealing with manipulation; supporting children; healing your heart; and becoming relationship-ready again. ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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These are just a few ideas based on personal emails to me! This is YOUR event. ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What kinds of questions do you have? ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What kind of support do you need? ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You remain ANONYMOUS on this form and it will be shown to the presenters so that we can create the best possible panel discussion to help you heal. ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you in advance! So much love, Michelle xx⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://bit.ly/2V6iW6K⁣⁣

So many of you have commented/written about wanting to know specifically how to support your body to release trauma or pain because you feel the effects of trauma, and talking about it alone has not gotten the results you would like.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The body is part of the answer - it is powerful and knows HOW to release with the right tools. ❤️💯⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Working with it directly can also support your other therapeutic work. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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For some people, working directly with the body is sufficient for you to start feeling better. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You can spend just 15 minutes a day and begin to transform!⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This program includes 1.5 hours of video instruction, two special bonuses (additional healing practices) + expert interviews with somatic practitioners to inspire you.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I don't want to say 'limited time offer' because I don't know how long I will offer it ... if it's helping, then I will keep offering it!⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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However, if you are among the first 20 people to grab this offer, I will put you in my supervision group and be in touch with you personally to answer questions and get your feedback! ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Go to my profile or copy/paste:⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://michelle-dixon.mykajabi.com/body-based-healing-tools⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Love, love, love. ❤️🥀🌺

The most difficult thing is to try to be grateful when you are not. Don't bother! Be honest with yourself first. Nothing is to be gained by trying hard not to feel how you feel. ❤️⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The power of gratitude is in the perspective it gives you. When you feel grateful, the world seems more full of possibility and joy, and this can guide you to make different choice, including self-love and believing in your potential.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Feeling grateful has been found in numerous studies to increase overall well being and so on (just Google 'gratitude studies'). ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But it's not something you can force! Rather, gratitude is an awareness of what already exists all around you that not only is NOT your enemy, but which - in some small or even large way - SUSTAINS you in the present moment.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Love sustains you. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Nature sustains you. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Food and water sustain you. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Friendships sustain you. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Small moments of joy, fleeting eye contact, an excited fur baby...⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀..grabbing the very last bar of the exact brand of chocolate you were looking for ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.. all these things sustain you.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When you become aware of those things, you awaken in your heart this experience, this awareness, of gratitude. It is part of your nature, to be sustained by all that is.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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❤️🌿🌳🌺

I would love to see a day when schools and communities taught nervous system regulation, emotional self-soothing, non-violent communication, how to see signs of abuse, neglect and emotional struggling, and how to make sense of oneself and the world when there has been trauma.💥⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Because the world isn't getting any kinder or easier...😪⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀..though one might argue that we have always needed to understand emotional healing better - we just didn't have the paradigm to put this concept into the public space.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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(Re paradigms: As an example, after WW1 and WW2 there wasn't even an understanding or acceptance of PTSD for war veterans. Survivors didn't have access to the many therapies we have today, and were silenced and expected to just get on with it).⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As much as we need to save the environment, transform our economy so that no one falls through the cracks, and attend to our physical health, we also need to be able to survive and thrive despite fear, trauma, loss, and uncertainty.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is something I think about often.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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~~ Emotional healing as social activism ~~ 😍💥💯 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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An easy way to do this is breathe in to the count of 4 and breathe out to the count of 8. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's true! I have done it in yoga, with my clients and I teach it in my online course as a way to deal with panic attacks and anxiety as it arises.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So much research shows how powerful this simple technique really is - check out this Psychology Today article with loads of links: ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-easy-way-hack-your-vagus-nerve ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Healing is everywhere, at all times, awaiting your intention.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sometimes all we can do is commit to being present, commit to healing, and allow life to carry us to the perfect next step. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That’s before my surf and swipe to see after!⁣
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It was my first surf in 2 months. I only spent a few weeks on my new short board before I had a big house move followed by lockdown and other stressors and I just wasn’t able to get back into the water …⁣
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until today 🏄‍♀️⁣
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I was so nervous I was trembling. ⁣
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My relationship with surfing is anything but straightforward. I have to conquer fears every time I get in the water. ⁣
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But I had so much fun and I felt amazing after!⁣
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I took it easy and caught whitewater and managed to get up on a few but I am rusty. No matter! It was just beautiful to reconnect with the ocean, with my board, and with my confidence in the water.⁣
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It’s winter here and the water was lovely but by the end I couldn’t feel my toes snd my hands were stiff. Brrrrr. Bring on the hot bath!⁣
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🏄‍♀️🌊

Where in the body is trauma held, and what does that even mean? ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Painful memories and emotions that are not released, or processed, or integrated (depending on your approach) affect how you hold your body, how you move, and where there is muscular tightness.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Let me rewind.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I started my work purely in bodywork - dearmouring initially, then myofascial and craniosacral release and biodynamic cranial touch. I worked directly with the body, releasing held emotiona/memory/trauma by engaging with (touching) known places of holding (kinda like acupressure). ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Where there is constriction and pain to the touch, there is often a trauma memory. Over a decade of work, I have definitely seen a pattern as to where it is held. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As an example, I have seen grief/loss reside in heart and chest area. Sexual trauma in the pelvic region. Betrayal in the hips. ⁣Overwhelm in the shoulders.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I have also seen release, as emotions and memories came flooding out, either with words or in silence. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A 2014 study mapped emotions to the body and determined that people 'feel' specific emotions in the same bodily places, no matter the country/religion/race. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As humans, we are united by suffering, and by how it impacts the body.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Never underestimate the extent to which emotional pain causes physical pain and illness. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Loving my prayer flags in my ‘home gym’! This green one drew my attention today. Enough said ❤️❤️

It's easy to forget to put aside the 'shoulds' and look at all that we take into our bodies, all that we do to move our bodies, and all that we take into our minds and hearts.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Is it nourishing us? It is causing harm? From the foods we eat, to the meals we create, what is going into the body? Nutrition? Fear? Love? Laughter?⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Of course, there are shades of grey, and 'taking in' negative news can spur us to kindness, activism, and more. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's far from easy at times, when I look at the world and feel rocked. I have to take a breath, centre myself, and ask, how can I contribute to love and peace in this situation?⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As I sit at home in lockdown and isolation I am really taking the time (there is so much of it) to consider what I am putting into my body, and how I choose to move, and what I choose to read or watch. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I am doing a detox at the moment, eating clean and drinking superfoods and lots of herbal teas. I am preparing my meals with love. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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(I'm very blessed that my 13 yo son is so into cooking and made us fajitas last night (or my fajita bowl), and made me a delicious salad for lunch.)⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm limiting my news intake. I'm meditating every day. I am exercising on my balcony. I'm making more social media posts, choosing my words carefully, speaking from the heart.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How do YOU nourish your body, move your body, stimulate your creativity and imagination and open your heart? ❤️✍🏽⤵️⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It takes PRACTICE to experience peace, to calm the nervous system, to live from grace.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's not taught to us, and we usually learn accidentally - when we go sit in nature and become mesmerized by the sound of a bird, or the way the sunlight flashes through leaves. 🌞🦜⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When we garden and become immersed in soil, roots, becoming part of the growing of life that happens all the time around us.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It happens when we are kids going on road trips (before we had mobile devices) and just look out the window for hours on end (that was my childhood!)⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Now, we read books about presence and learn how to become mindful... but presence is there for you all the time, and nature is the easiest way to drop into the here and now.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The gift, when you do it more and more, is finding those solitary moments of peace. Those small instances where everything is all right. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Doing this often TRAINS your nervous system to be relaxed. It conditions your body to know what calm is, to know connection to self and to your Wholeness.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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With time, you can recognize that not only is this moment okay, not only are you okay in this moment, but that your very NATURE is Wholeness.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Blessings, blessings. Listening to the birds right now as I write. 🌳🌿🍃🦜⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The reality of working from home with your family during lockdown is that the kitchen becomes a way station and someone is eating at any given point all day long.

Here is my college student son between his online classes in the kitchen again. He’s growing a fuzzy lockdown beard. 😂😂

I am grateful that we (my entire family) are well, that we have a nice home, great relationships, and can work from home. I don’t take for granted that we are in a very lucky demographic and I am grateful I am able to offer support online to my clients through these difficult times.

Today I decided to work a bit In the kitchen so I could chat with my teens as they ate their way through the day. ❤️

First, I'm back, after a long social media break, during which I said goodbye to a house I'd watched my kids grow up in, and moved house just as lockdown started again in Sydney. It's been exhausting, but I'm getting back to my work. 🤯⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, this - sensation. What do you FEEL in your body? Pain, movement, constriction, heat, numbness, flutters, vibration...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sometimes, when we are unable to feel the feelings, they are experienced as sensations. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you find yourself unable to understand or process big emotion, start with being present in your body and notice.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I've had clients find past memories and trauma in muscle tightness, in chronic pain. I've seen too much responsibility carried in shoulder and neck pain. I've seen anxiety express through digestive issues.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And in the past week, my fingers have been cracked, sore, almost infected, painful to the touch. I have sat with the discomfort, worn washing gloves, moisturized, and then I *heard* that my fingers, which normally type and type and type as I write and write and write... were expressing my frustration that I haven't been able to get back to my work. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Until now. Here I am. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Listen to your sensations. They reveal so much! ❤️