A Summer Hello
Summer greetings, dear one.
I am writing to share some updates and care practices I find myself coming back to; in hopes they may feel supportive to you as well.
I’ve recently moved into a new home in a new state. It’s interesting to see things with the fresh eyes newness can bring and what can be learned by observing what is; letting its wisdom inspire what is to come.
Watching the bare trees become full of leaves.
Seeing flowers joyfully spring up in unexpected places.
Learning how the winds blow and waters flow.
Listening to the bird's song change with the seasons.
Digging in the soil and planting seeds.
Tasting the local fruits and vegetables.
Feeling the culture and its people.
My senses bring me such appreciation for a place and its people.
What are you noticing in this season and what wisdom is it bringing you?
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Rainbow Breathing
While supporting young people and families, I find having accessible ways to talk about and practice emotional regulation is very important. We each have an optimal emotional zone; where we can listen and learn rather than getting upset or shutting down. I have found the Rainbow of Emotional Regulation from Lindsay Braman a helpful visual and conversation starter.
As a mom of an autistic young person, we work on emotional regulation daily. One of our favorite ways to practice breathing together is Rainbow Breathing. I like it because it can be done most anywhere—with one hand in front of your body if you don’t have a lot of space or by stretching both your arms out wide and high if you have the room.
Imagine you are painting a full rainbow in the sky and your fingers are the paintbrushes!
Give your fingers a little stretch or wiggle to wake them up if needed.
Stretch your arms out to each side of your body.
Then, take a deep, slow breath in, and as you do, raise and curve your arms to make an arch shape—like a rainbow.
Breathe out slowly, and lower your arms.
You can imagine the different colors of the rainbow for each breath or simply repeat as many times as needed thinking of all the beautiful colors in the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
There are amazing resources online for Rainbow Breathing if you want to be inspired with additional ways others are practicing.
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Care Circles
The second anniversary of the wildfires on the Island of Maui is coming up in early August. I have been providing care to those impacted and in support of the local community organizers since the fires. In collaboration with Wisdom Circles Oceania, we provide online care circles to complement the in-person, multi-generational time for community organizers and care workers.
I have been leading a monthly coaching care circle. These group conversations offer a place for leaders to have conversations they aren’t able to have other places and provide support and care for one another collectively. The conversations have been transformative.
I wanted to share the questions we start these sessions with, in hopes they offer you a reflective moment:
How am I feeling? Here is a link to a Feelings wheel.
What do I need? Here is a link to a Needs wheel.
What is more clear to me now (or today)?
What would I like to transform, grow, or change?
We are all humans with feelings and needs and are not alone. I find the more we practice sharing these with one another, the more compassion we can offer ourselves…and others.
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I wish the very best for you and those you love.
Please be in touch if what I have shared has resonated with you or if you would like to talk. I am offering Coaching and Facilitation support for leaders, families, and organizations, especially those navigating significant transitions, and would be grateful to be of support to you or someone you know.
May you be given the gift to observe with fresh eyes and an open heart. And know you are not alone on this journey.
Love,
Andrea
