Welcome to Issue #16 of this newsletter. If you're new here, welcome!
I'm starting this week's edition a bit differently because I'm coming to you with an ask.
I've truly enjoyed writing this newsletter every week and as we begin this new year, I'd like to spend time improving it to make it more valuable for you. Which brings me to a piece of wisdom I once heard.
When we think of feedback, it can feel like a grade on past behavior. When we ask for advice, people focus on possible future actions and future opportunities to improve rather than backwards to the things you have done, which you can no longer change. Research also shows that when feedback is requested -- rather than volunteered -- it tends to be too vague and too fluffy because we want to protect the person's feelings.
So in the spirit of asking for advice, I would love to hear how I can make this newsletter more valuable to you.
Each week, I share links to things that have inspired or intrigued me lately. Specifically, I'm interested in mindfulness, spirituality, wellness, nutrition, and parenting, so you can expect to see articles that fall under these topics.
Are you addicted to things that don't make you feel good?
In this episode, Jocelyn K. Glei explores the dark side of habits — the anxious, internal routines and dialogues that we are constantly performing and re-performing to keep ourselves from feeling safe, to suppress our self-expression, and to feel unloved.
The episode reminded me that at one point in my life, I used to watch Law & Order SVU for comfort. But after years of doing personal inner work, I made the conscious decision to not consume things with dark subject matter, including acts of violence. I love how Jocelyn explores this topic and it left me nodding in understanding so many times.
"The meaning of happiness is, to an extent, subjective. But nearly every expert we surveyed emphasized the same cocktail of ingredients: a sense of control and autonomy over one’s life, being guided by meaning and purpose, and connecting with others."
Time Magazine shares insights on happiness from 18 leading experts on the field with a series of different articles. One in particular is about how sound can improve our happiness, specifically sounds of nature. From forest bathing to south baths, listening to certain sounds can help lower a listener’s blood pressure, stress levels and heart rate.
Jungian psychologist and addiction expert Carder Stout, PhD shares an excerpt from his new book, We Are All Addicts: The Soul's Guide to Kicking Your Compulsions. In it, he describes how he asks his patients to power down their phones in the waiting room before their session. The difference between turning your phone off completely versus putting it into airplane mode creates a different energy that allows his patients to fully relax. I admit, just imagining my own phone completely turned off made me feel a sense of calm and relief. Definitely something to consider trying!
Participants will learn about the mind-body connection and be guided through insightful and restorative exercises to combat stress and connect with body-centered therapies that you can take with you anywhere you go.
An evening seance of sound starting with a series of light, gentle movements and a deep breathing exercise to relax your body and mind. The experience then proceeds to offer a deep meditation through sound that unlocks unique states of relaxation and mindfulness.
Join author and mental wellness advocate Yasmine Cheyenne in conversation with fitness influencer Melissa Wood Tepperberg on Yasmine's new book discussing a radical approach to setting boundaries and protecting your energy, rich with tools for self-healing.
Join Ora on a 3-day reset designed to recharge and nourish your body, mind, and spirit so you can thrive and take on the new year. This is a series of different events with Ora's Chief of Acupuncture, Organically Jamie, Mariane Sakay, and more.
Join Moonflower, NYC’s new grooviest natural wine bar for an evening pop up class with Live The Process in Tribeca! We will move through a 45 minute practice followed by a well curated happy hour & bites. Mingle in community, shop and sip.
I am not affiliated with these events and I may or may not not be attending them myself, but they piqued my interest so I wanted to share.
xo, Lisa Michelle
Join me on instagram!
Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
