You need to be bold to be successful AND well. The key to being bold is to be confident. Believe it or not, without self-confidence you reduce your ability to have a successful life (as YOU define it). You sacrifice achievement within yourself, your career, your relationships, your health, and your wealth. To top it all off, having low self-confidence robs you of your joy, joy that you deserve!  

In fact, self-confidence is MORE important than the skills and knowledge that you have. Why? It sets you apart. When you believe in yourself and are confident in your abilities, you become a natural leader. People feel drawn to you and reassured by you. They trust you and your judgment. Basically, they follow your lead. (Wouldn’t it be nice if you got your way more often?!)

Self-confidence enables you to BE BOLD, take healthy risks, stretch, grow, and achieve new levels of success. Without enough self-confidence, you run the risk of living a mediocre life — too afraid to move out of your comfort zone and go for what you really want.

Boosting self-confidence requires serious mental training. Here’s a quick visualization to help you become more confident:

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Allow your body to relax. Once you feel relaxed, imagine imagine the best possible version of you 10 years into the future. Imagine that you are strong, confident, radiant and wise. As you see this future version of you, really take him/her in. Notice how he/she carries himself/herself. Notice what can be achieved when you have that confidence and strength. Once you get a vivid picture, imagine that you can step into your future self — able to access all of that confidence and strength right now in this present moment. Now ask yourself, “With this confidence, what will I do differently today?”

Try this visualization out and watch it help you get out of a rut of draining low self-confidence.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Ann Thomas is a certified life coach and founder of Evolving Goddess, a company devoted to teaching women around the world how to connect with their divinity and love and accept themselves unconditionally and without judgment so that they can be happy, feel at peace, and create a magnificent life. www.EvolvingGoddess.com

Editor’s note: If you’d like to meet Ann and really explode your self-confidence and your bold factor, check out BoldHer: Infuse Your Self-Confidence with Laughter and Love. This is an amazing one-day conference that’ll teach you to embody the BoldHer principles:

Believe in Yourself
Own Your Actions and Reactions
Love Yourself Unconditionally
Don’t Give Up
Help Others Along the Way
Embrace Your Journey
Remember to Laugh!

You can learn more at www.BoldHer.com.

Cathy Vogt - A Natural Chef

After a long day of work, how many people walk into their homes only to realize they don’t have food in the house or don’t know what to make for dinner? If you had a personal chef working with you, you would never run into this problem. Today’s busy families are so over-scheduled they rarely have time for healthy, homemade, sit-down meals. This leads to people choosing unhealthy packaged convenience foods or microwaveable meals, or eating out at restaurants excessively. It can also lead to boring, uninspired meals made on the fly at home.

Personal chefs can completely transform you and your family’s relationship to food. With an eye towards health, they work with clients to customize their recipes for the client’s palate and health needs. They prepare fresh, gourmet meals right in your own kitchen, to be consumed immediately or to be refrigerated or frozen for the rest of the week. While some families have a personal chef on staff full-time, most have someone come in just a few times a month to prepare multiple meals that can be frozen and reheated. Others hire personal chefs just for special occasions and parties as an alternative to hiring an outside caterer. If the personal chef is preparing for a party they may also be in charge of serving and setting up for the party.

Personal chefs are typically experienced chefs who have worked in restaurants or in hospitality or catering. Some are accomplished chefs while others are newly out of culinary school. Some are trained through the American Personal & Private Chef Assocation or the United States Personal Chef Association.

Typically, when a personal chef is hired, they present a proposed menu and budget based on what they know of the client’s needs and preferences. Then they do the shopping and food preparation themselves. Some involve themselves in helping clients provide for their own family’s nutritional needs by helping people learn how to meal plan or how to cook. Frequently personal chefs serve as cooking instructors in addition to being chefs themselves. Some clients prefer to receive cooking instruction in the privacy and convenience of their own home.

When looking for a personal chef, don’t forget to take into consideration the types of cuisine the chef is most comfortable with and whether or not they are competent in cooking for families with the types of needs yours has. For instance, a personal chef for a diabetic should have some nutrition knowledge or training, or be willing to work with your dietitian or doctor.

Find a Personal Chef.

Grief can be brought on by any situation that causes a sense of loss. Often, it’s associated with the death of a loved one. For some, grief can be brought on by the knowledge that a loss is likely. This anticipatory grief is no less valid—and painful. Some people may feel grief when they are affected indirectly by loss, as when a natural disaster claims the lives of many people.

Another culprit can be a major life change. Divorce can bring a profound sense of grief, as can job loss. Even positive changes, such as graduation from college or a move to a new area to accept a desired job, can bring feelings of loss. Sometimes the positive nature of these changes can make it more difficult to process grief, because it is not expected or acknowledged.

For some people, the grief process can become prolonged or remain unresolved. Often this happens when the process is interrupted, such as by the need to return to work or care for children soon after a loss. If grief feels like it is not improving after a reasonable time period, it may be time to consult a specialist.

Grief counselors are specially trained to help people suffering with the complex feelings that accompany loss. If the grief process has been interrupted, they can help get it back on track. In one-on-one sessions, counselors may use a variety of techniques, including traditional “talk” therapy, behavioral modification, hypnosis, rebirthing, and EMDR. Group therapy with others who have experienced loss may be offered by some counselors.  Counselors may also refer clients for other complementary treatments to address secondary issues that may arise from a prolonged or unhealthy grieving process.

Find a Provider who offers Grief Counseling.

Read, Pray, Laugh

By Alice Braga of A Rosy Outlook

Eczema’s not pretty, but it’s a pretty good teacher.

For starters, it has a digestive connection. Climate, stress, and the outcome of Dancing with the Stars may contribute to the skin condition, but diet has a lot to do with it.

It took me 30 years and almost as many dermatologists and allergists to find this out after asking an acupuncturist about it. Not that I’m bitter about the delayed enlightenment. Bitterness would only exacerbate the eczema, and I’m not interested in that.

From kindergarten onward, I used creams and ointments to suppress the symptoms, which include “weeping,” swelling, and Dante-couldn’t-have-dreamt-this-up itching. The strongest concoctions came with warnings not to use them while pregnant or nursing, which makes you wonder what they were doing to me besides clearing up the skin on my hands.

When my prescription ran out in 2007, I heard a whisper to stop using the creams. I wanted lasting healing, and taking fewer showers wasn’t the way I wanted to go about it. A dermatologist in sunny, humid Florida once suggested that to me. And also to use coal tar shampoo.

Gregg Levoy, author of Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life, says symptoms of disease are often signs of a calling and that when we are not well, we ought to ask, “What dream is trying to come through?”

I did wonder what I was “itching” to do. I also wondered if the discipline of not scratching my skin was helping me not scratch the “itch” to accept every invitation that came my way, keeping too busy to notice what really needed attention in my life, like my addiction to sugar, approval and other ego-based “itches” the Buddhists call shenpa.

When I brought up the notion of eczema as metaphor to naturopath-acupuncturist Dr. Clara Barnett, she encouraged me to record my theories. In my journal, I marveled at how quickly her needles could take me from fight-or-flight tension to rest-and-digest tranquility that seemed to last for days. I was also in awe of how many different conditions acupuncture could treat. As my current practitioner Douglas Knapp says, “If you get hit by a bus, you go to Western medicine. If you have a chronic condition, you go to Chinese medicine.”

If only I could walk around with needles in me all the time. Living in New York, I could probably get away with it. My fellow straphangers would just think I’m in a band from the East Village and resume reading Eat, Pray, Love, one of the books that came to me during my holistic awakening. In the memoir, Ketut, a Balinese medicine man, had the perfect message for me: smile when you meditate, and that includes your liver. I couldn’t help but smile just reading that. Elizabeth Gilbert’s prose often made me laugh out loud, and that’s when I realized what I’d really been itching to do: laugh!

A carefree, not-worrying-about-my-daughter’s-chronic-digestive-condition kind of laugh. A healthy I-can-touch-baby-wipes-and-use-any-kind-of-hand-soap guffaw. An I just-watched-two-episodes-of-30-Rock-back-to-back-while-my-healthy-girl-sleeps-soundly chuckle.

For the record, 30 Rock and the mere sight of Alec Baldwin were the core of my self-imposed laughter therapy, which complemented yoga classes, Chinese herbs, and a Feng Shui consultation, which may have illuminated the final piece of the wellness puzzle for both my daughter and me: a properly combined, mostly vegan diet.

Sure, my skin is still drier than the average bear – or lizard – and I need to rotate my foods regularly and be extra mindful of stress in the winter, but my symptoms are essentially gone.

Do I wish that my daughter, who also receives acupuncture, and I didn’t have to literally “gut” out so many treatments before discovering this way of life? Yes, but I prefer to focus on the gifts like the spiritual endurance I’ve developed and the compassion I feel for others who have experienced what we have and worse. I also love being able to share our success stories with other families seeking alternatives to Western remedies.

Healing notwithstanding, my laughter therapy is still in place, as is writing stories like this one, something I’d stopped doing when I immersed myself in music and motherhood. It’s enough to make all my organs and hopefully yours, smile.

By Alice Braga of A Rosy Outlook

Featuring life-changing lectures, delicious gourmet nutritarian food, invigorating exercise classes, and wonderful cooking demonstrations, the getaway immerses guests into the incredible healthy diet style that Dr. Oz calls, “A medical breakthrough…”

Guests will leave the week motivated and armed with the latest advances in nutritional science and the necessary tools to live a long, healthy and disease- free life. Dr. Fuhrman’s objective is no heart attacks, no strokes and no cancers. Truly, a vacation mixed with learning; one that could save your life.

 Dr. Fuhrman’s lectures include information on removing food addictions to lose weight effortlessly, preventing cancer, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, reversing heart disease and diabetes, and developing super immunity. Cooking demonstrations will be led by both Dr. Fuhrman and special guest Executive Chef Chad Sarno of Whole Foods Market. 

The Health Getaway is family friendly. Children will have a blast all week with daily activities, such as the Ritz Kids club house, luau party with dancing and live band, bedtime tuck-in and storytelling by a pirate, a special musical guest and family excursions. 

To learn more about the Health Getaway or to register, go to DrFuhrman.com, or go directly to the events page here, or call 800-474-well.

Joel Fuhrman M.D. is a board–certified family physician, NY Times best-selling author and nutritional researcher who specialize in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional and natural methods. As one of the country’s leading experts on nutrition and natural healing, Dr. Fuhrman has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows including: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Today, Good Morning America, the Discovery Channel, TV Food Network, CNBC, and the Dr. Oz Show. His own PBS television show, “3 Steps to Incredible Health!,” began airing nationwide in June 2011.

I will be forever grateful for all Dr. Fuhrman taught me and the impact having this information has had on me and my family. If you cannot make it to the event, there are plenty of other ways to learn including books, DVD’s and even an online member center where you can get support with following Dr. Fuhrman’s advanced nutritional guidance. Visit DrFuhrman.com.

On Tuesday evening, April 17, 2012, Beth El Synagogue in Saint Louis Park (5224 west 26th St) will welcome world-renowned author and activist, Gloria Steinem.

Steinem will share her reflections on “Feminism: the Longest Revolution,” giving us a better perspective on the true meaning of equality and enhancing our collective commitment to tolerance, love and peace.  Steinem is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples, and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice.

Presented as part of Beth El’s “Inspiring Minds” Speaker Series, Wellness Possibilities is pleased to serve as a Promotional Partner for this premiere event.  We invite you to spread the word about this exciting and important opportunity. 

Tickets are available now at www.bethelsynagogue.org/gloria or by calling 952-873-7300.

Dr. Matthew Singer

Anyone who is pregnant is wise to ask if a treatment is safe during pregnancy. The health and wellbeing of mother and child are, understandably, of the greatest importance. All chiropractors are trained to treat patients through pregnancy, though some have received additional training specific to prenatal treatment.

Chiropractic care can help keep the body in healthy alignment during pregnancy. This can reduce pain and discomfort, while also helping to keep the body in the best possible condition for natural childbirth. Other benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include promoting overall health, controlling nausea, and reducing labor and delivery pain—and possibly preventing the need for a cesarean delivery.

A number of routine aspects of pregnancy can increase the need for chiropractic care. Carrying a child affects the distribution of weight on the body, balance and posture. There are also changes in the pelvic area to facilitate childbirth. Sleeping position may be affected, as may sitting posture. Regular exercise may cease or be modified. Routine actions like picking things up may require a different position or cause struggle. All of these may result in strain and misalignment.

A primary focus for many chiropractors treating pregnant clients is to maintain balance of the pelvis. This is often done using the Webster Technique. A balanced pelvis allows the unborn child the maximum room for movement and growth. A chiropractor can tell if the triangular base of the spine (the sacrum) is tilted, causing a ligament to be pulled in one direction and limiting that side of the uterus. When this goes uncorrected, the baby may stay in a breech position or facing the wrong way, could cause excruciating “back labor.”  Reducing the likelihood of these problems also reduces the risk of a Cesarean or the need for painkillers.

A skilled chiropractor can be an indispensable aid during pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractic care can improve the comfort and well-being of both mother and child—during pregnancy and through childbirth.

Find a Provider: Prenatal Chiropractic

Have you tried Prenatal Chiropractic?
If so, how did it help? What challenge(s) were you addressing? Please share your story along with any tips or recommendations you have for others facing similar challenges.

1) They care.

2) They listen.

3) They enjoy serving.

4) They’re doing their own work - I mean they are on a healing journey themselves, so there is patience and there is compassion, and there’s a sense that we are on the path together rather than I am on the path and they are a pit stop on the way. I don’t know if the words are fully describing this…we all have something going on, an area where we could use help. In a relationship with a wellness provider, I find there is a balance of power and they are supportive and supportable. So they are listening not to wait until you stop talking so they can tell you what they know, give you all the answers and send you on your way. There is a genuine listening to how I articulate what I notice and in that exchange we both may learn something.

5) They’re not in it for the money – while they do have to charge a fair rate in order to create a sustainable business, they only offer additional services and packages because they wish to serve. If you don’t need something, or if there are options, they will tell you.

6) They specialize - wellness providers spend a lot of time and money on continuing education because they want to offer more to their clients. And as I said before, they are on their own healing journey and so they continue exploring wellness services and activities which means they have more of themselves to offer you.

7) They want you to feel better – even if it means they never see you in their office again.

8) They know – tapped into their intuition and not giving stock answers or prescriptions, they often say exactly what you need to hear.

9) They have resources – since they are on their own healing journey, they know the best providers.

10) They celebrate your healing – really, it makes their day to know they made a difference, to see you standing taller, feeling lighter and brighter, having more energy and seeing that light in your eyes that comes from natural healing.

To feel well is to be content and balanced.
It’s an energetic slow boil simmering under a cool calm.

There is a quickening inside when the first fresh air of the day hits me.
I know that the day holds potential.

Wellness is a reserve deep inside the body and soul.
All engines are firing.

It’s feeling connected to my body.
Functioning smoothly without pain.
Enjoying movement.

It’s making proactive choices that support health,
Clearing out the habits that clog me up and slow me down.
It’s offering and accepting love,
Listening to the voice inside that says to forgive,
To be open, to feel.

To feel well, I find I need a plan.
I have to plan wellness for myself as if I were a guest in my own home.

What will I feed myself this week?
What will I do that will be fun and inspiring?
How will I get my body moving this week?

Without a plan, I tend to feel unwell by Friday.
Without a plan it’s all about catching up.
It’s all about laundry and cooking for others and eating their leftovers.
It’s going to sleep with the kitchen a mess and not wanting to face the morning.

To be well requires asking for what I need.

For me that is:
Healthy, delicious food
Exercise with others in community
Conversation
Reading
Love and affection from my family
Creative stimulation
Awareness of the world (news, activism)
A planned workweek
A clean house

Is that so much to ask?

Submitted by Kristen Masson-Diedhiou, Elementary School Teacher, New Paltz, NY
Thank you Kristen!

Kristen Masson-Diedhiou with her kids Solo, Nafi and Atab

What is Wellness? To share your answer with our community, click here.

Anyway, I would like to know your answer to the question “What is Wellness?”

And I would like to share your answer with the Wellness Possibilities community. 

You can submit your answer in one of these ways:

1) Add your comments below
2) Submit a 2 – 3 minute video (Flip phone or cell phone videos are fine!)
3) Submit a written response

To submit a video or written response, send to whatiswellness (at) wellnesspossibilities dot com, and include your photo, brief bio, and city & state (or website address if applicable).

Here are a few questions to get you thinking.

- What wellness activities and services have you tried?

- What makes you feel great?

- What challenges have you overcome using natural/holistic methods? Any situations where the conventional method was not working, so you found another way?

- What are your go-to wellness resources (tools, modalities, types of practitioners, activities, etc)?

- What wellness possibilities are you exploring now and/or looking forward to exploring next?

I look forward to receiving your response.