What are you doing today, or this weekend, to relax and focus on self care? Share it in the comments below. For bonus points, add a picture, so we can share the experience with you. I'll share some peaceful videos of our animals later in the day. Spending time with animals is often relaxing for me. Except for when the drakes or male guineas are fighting. But, I digress. Below is a guided relaxation I created a few months back. I've posted the video in here before, but we have lots of new members, so I wanted to give it to you again. Special welcome to our new members, like @Katja Nasr , @Nancy Wicks , @Matt Burge , @Andrea Lecos , @Brigitte Mars , @Karisa Bitner , @Steven Bornstein , @Sarah Emami , @Lisa David Olson . Welcome all!! If you know someone who can use some relaxation, and/or a reminder that it's ok to feel good, please share this video with them! https://youtu.be/yRI41vlEteE

We lost a duck today. A fox ran through the yard and got her. Even though I saw the fox and ran over, I was too late to be able to save her. I feel heartbroken. It feels important to honor her, even though I have other things I need to post. I can post those later. She’s the black and white duck in the pics below, and she always went everywhere with Drake, who’s the brown duck. Drake is devastated today. Maybe in shock. He was there when the fox got her. She is in the video below with the guineas, you can hear a little of her signature quack. Foxes don’t usually come around during the day, they tend to lurk when it’s dark out. Maybe this one was extra hungry, who knows. The tool I used to help me process this is called the Nurturing and Limits Cycle, from Dr. Laurel Mellin’s body of work. We use her tools during our Stress Eating Support Group. Wanted to share how I processed this situation with you because it’s a tool you can also use when you feel devastated or frustrated, for whatever reason. I’ll probably need to do it a few times, to get through the emotions, it’s so hard to lose an animal. These are the types of tools I use instead of turning to food to help comfort me, like I have in the past. I find emotional processing tools to be much more effective in moving through emotions and less harmful to my health and well being goals. Here’s how it goes… 1.)Connect with feelings in a specific order.. Anger- I feel angry that I wasn’t there to be able to save Maggie. I’m angry that the Fox came by during the day, I can’t stand it that Drake lost his good friend and companion. I hate that this terrible thing happened. Sadness- I’m so sad that we lost this wonderful duck, who has so much sass and so much personality. I’m sad that I wasn’t there in that moment to chase the fox away. I’m sad that she’s gone . Fear- I’m afraid that the fox will come back and try to take more ducks. I’m afraid that Drake is gonna have a hard time. Guilt- I feel guilty that I let the ducks out earlier than usual. I feel guilty that I wasn’t able to protect her

What kind of movement has been bringing you joy over the past few days? How do you intend to include joyful movement today and the rest of the week? If you’re available this morning, join us for Move, Relax, and Connect, 9 am MT/11am Eastern, in one minute! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83977076889?pwd=rdKHJVw84kIgwwT2XLVo4aL2Bh2KYp.1 Remember that you can also share your offers and communities today, or share any products or communities you’re enjoying. Have a fabulous day!

It’s been a while since we have shared joy points. Noticing moments that bring us joy throughout the day and reflecting on joy we have experienced gives us a healthy burst of dopamine. Being in a joyful state consistently, throughout the day, is one of THE most powerful ways to release the grip of addictive habits. Whether your hurtful habit is stress eating, social media scrolling, shopping, negative thinking, or something else, strengthening your joy muscle can help you to let it go with ease. So let’s strengthen our joy muscle! Share a joy point in the comments below…anything that has brought you joy today or in the past few days. Bonus points..share a picture or video to help us experience it with you :)

When someone offers you a food that doesn’t align with you, for whatever reason! Maybe it triggers cravings, or maybe it gives you gas, or maybe it makes your nose itch. It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to eat ANYTHING that doesn’t align with you. You get to set the boundaries for what you put into your body. Period. It’s ok to say NO when you’re offered something… Even if your Aunt Edna spent hours preparing it. Even if Uncle John payed a boatload of money for it. If it’s something you didn’t ask for, it’s absolutely ok to say, “Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, this food is not part of my abstinence plan. I’m sure someone else would enjoy this immensely. “ Or “This looks so delicious! Unfortunately, I know this would give me really bad stomach pains, so I have to say no. But thank you so much, this is so thoughtful “ Your health and well-being matter. Your abstinence and recovery matter. YOU matter. And you deserve to set boundaries for yourself, in the way that you need to, even if it temporarily offends someone. If you ever felt that you needed permission to set such boundaries for yourself, let THIS POST give you that permission. And if you choose to eat something offered to you, even if it’s not something you normally eat, that’s totally ok too. But it has to be YOUR CHOICE, not something you’re guilted into. What would you say, fellow Thriver, if someone offered you something that you knew in your GUT would not be a good idea for you to eat? Share in the comments below.