There are dozens of questions that you can ask yourself that will point to your core values. These three questions are concise and lead you to 3 points. What you will learn-
What makes you special- What moves your soul- What you do not tolerate
Establishing these three sides of your values allows you to build, expand and learn more. Values determine our ethics, ambitions and character. Determining your values leads to clarity within your personal growth journey. This particular insight helps you to align areas of your life for holistic happiness. Knowing your values is an important step in setting your personal boundaries.
This is meant to be a short and sweet exercise.
Meditate, contemplate but do not stress over this process.
Happy ten year Tai Chi-versary to me and dozens of students, clients and supporters! Some days it seems like more than a decade. Some days it seems like only yesterday.
My first group sessions in 2014 at Anahata Healing Arts.
My 1st Tai Chi photo 2012, Tybee Island, GA
Reflections on a decade of teaching, sharing and loving Tai Chi
I have had the pleasure of teaching hundreds of people the glory that is Tai Chi. Everyone has experienced it differently. Everyone has had different motivations and needs from Tai Chi. To describe this mother of martial arts as versatile is still an understatement.
Tai Chi has ten essences that are used as a guidelines for physical stance, practice and philosophy. The ninth of the essences is to “unite the mind and the body”. Allow me to elaborate. This sums up the fact that through the versatility of Tai Chi whatever you want to get out of your practice, will be the result. Are you looking for relaxation? Increased mobility and balance? Complete rehabilitation of a joint or muscle group? What about decreased inflammation? Yep, that too.
I have used Tai Chi to treat an assortment of diseases. Arthritis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, PTSD, Personality Disorders, Chron’s and other gastrointestinal diseases have all been helped by a custom blend of moves. I have helped golfers open their hips, football players increase hand eye coordination, tennis players improve their swing, warehouse workers reduce back pain, hospitality workers save energy and helped the mature age gracefully.
I think the most surprising element to teaching Tai Chi as opposed to just practicing was how much more was really involved.
Each person I have taught has in return been a teacher for me. As long as I observe and listen with each student, Tai Chi has limitless possibilities as to how it can help so many people who all have different needs. I am so grateful for my years predating Tai Chi instruction. I taught ballet, gymnastics, jazz, tap, yoga and salsa dancing. I played tennis, softball, ran track, lifted weights. These activities gave me a secure knowledge of the body’s movements which allowed me greater understanding of how Tai Chi can be applied.
I began to analyze how our career choices can affect our bodies. From tense shoulders from typing all day to knee pain from standing on concrete floors; the environments that we work in and the movements we so frequently repeat during a workday really have an impact on our physical stance, function and comfort.
I am so excited to roll out many videos this year addressing very specific Tai Chi applications for your daily life. That is how I teach. I want you to take what you learn about the body’s alignment and apply it to how you move every single day. It happens without you even trying. But this can only be achieved if I pump out the videos. Therefore, the ball is in my proverbial court.
Stay tuned to see how Tai Chi can improve your life, movements, pain level, agility, oxygen levels, balance, blood pressure, digestion, anxiety.
I have taught in the heat of a Southern August. I have worked with a few studios in Savannah. Featured Community Tai ChiOutside classes during COVID 19. 30 degree morning classes in January. Ten years of “chi”. Flowing in my new studio. A Decade of Grace Dawn Tai Chi.
As a Tai Chi instructor I know firsthand that mindset is everything. I enjoy taking the time with my students or clients to help them first feel comfortable and confident.
I want you to also feel comfortable and confident in your life.
That is why I wanted to begin the year with the 4 biggest, realest* hurdles that humans face. All my clients from Nutrition to Tai Chi deal with at least some of these issues. *I know this is grammatically incorrect, however I assure you it is otherwise correct.
As an unofficial kick off to the series, we start with triggers. Triggers can be the underlying cause of low self esteem, procrastination, low motivation and poor boundaries. Triggers are sneaky because we can walk around with them, heart on our sleeve style, and not even know they exist. The easiest to ignore, triggers are the unassuming motivation behind some of our unsavory behaviors. If you have ever found yourself blue after too long on social media- triggered. If you have ever found yourself on the floor of the kitchen eating ice cream- triggered. If you ever found yourself on a binder- triggered. This video helps us get to know our triggers so it is much easier to spot telltale signs or behaviors. This allows us more self awareness leading to a quicker turn around to emotional equilibrium.
Confidence was chosen first because everything in the world requires some degree of it. You cannot reach your potential in any area of life if you do not have the faith in yourself. Our self esteem is the basis for our perception, belief system and mindset. It is pretty important stuff and thus chosen as the foundation for this pillar series of videos and freebies.
Next on the list we roll on to procrastination. Knowing how to troubleshoot our own self destructive or less beneficial habits is a key to the most actualized existence. In this video we will be looking not only at solutions, but at analyzing our tasks and attitudes to feel continuously efficient. When things run efficiently we feel more in control and less anxious. When we are the wrench causing the clog, it leads to negative self talk and potential procrastination. Knowing how to address our tendency to put things off as well as the distractions at play, will only serve to empower you to revitalize your approach.
Motivation is like fuel for our soul. It is the bootstrap from which we pull ourselves. Motivation is crucial to maintaining perseverance, work ethic, life values and beat the rut kind of living. The ability to self motivate separates those who succeed from those who flounder. It is harsh but oh so true. When it comes to strategizing your mojo, this video will help deliver all the answers to keep your groove rolling.
As we head into the month of love, Boundaries top the list between the relationship with ourselves and our relationships with others. We wrap up the series discussing the one thing that defines how we spend our time, who we spend it with and the environments we tolerate. I am so excited to talk about this personal favorite topic of mine. Boundaries serve as insurance or guardrails to protect us. The better our healthy boundaries, the better our relationships with ourselves and others.
Hope these topics help you flourish this year and reach your highest potential in the years to come! Blessings to you!
See the Videos here! Tackle Those Triggers How to be a Confidence Connoisseur FREEBIE
You know you are supposed to surround yourself with people who lift you up. Sometimes you need to surround yourself with books that lift you up. Here is a brief list of my top picks!
Ancient Rhythms Variety
Classical Living a perfect companion for living by the seasons. Based in Roman tradition and mythology there are celebrations for most days of the year. These little celebrations are ideal to break up monotony and banish ruts. Broken down into months this book has been a fun go to for years.
Non Devotion but Small Daily Reading
Adults of Emotionally Immature Parents This topic may be difficult but I add this to the list because it isn’t a “sit down and read all at once” kind of book. Just a bit of reading each day, skimming even, can help you feel validated in your struggles. Realizations were quite common for me in reading this book and I found it helpful. One of those “you didn’t imagine this” kind of things. Like I said, validating.
Oldie but Goodie
Believing In Myself by Earnie Larsen. This is of the self esteem genre and it is simple, quick and often incredibly relevant. I have had this book for over fifteen years! This mini book has graced my bookshelf for over fifteen years, longer than any other book on the list. Scoff if you must but healing after an abusive ex is Top Priority. This little gem offers a variety of insights for boosting confidence and self assuredness.
The Loving Christian Variety
Jesus Calling Morning + Night by Sara Young My absolute favorite of the Christian variety, I have loved this book for almost three years now. There are several in the series but I love that this particular book offers a devotion for morning and night. <
Badass Affirmations- Wit + Wisdom of Wild Women
I love this one! It is so much fun and such a great gift idea. Any lady or lover of ladies can appreciate!
Personal growth, self improvement does not magically cure triggers. Growth does not mean a lack of a trigger. However, it can be a lessening of emotional reaction to the trigger. Don’t miss these two signs of growth + healing.
If you are upset that you are being triggered still, then you are missing out on your growth because you are focusing on the wrong thing!
Let’s take a peek at this nifty timeline.
Our first stop on this timeline is the moment we are triggered emotionally.
Emotional Equilibrium is the moment in which our emotions calm and we become “okay”.
This timeframe is called our Turn Around Time.
As healing occurs one can look for improvement in a shorter “turn around time”. This means simply that you are able to level out or calm down in a shorter amount of time. As the process of acceptance or growth continues the Turn Around Time becomes shorter and shorter.
Let’s look for growth in one more place!
Once again, as you continue on your journey of reclaiming your emotional self, let this little graph empower you. As time goes on the LEVEL in which one reacts to a trigger does decrease in severity. So if you are being triggered but you aren’t experiencing such a strong surge of emotion then you should certainly be proud of yourself. Definitely do not overlook this clear sign of healing.
As time goes on you can continually spot the decrease of these two growth points; your turn around time and reaction severity. Remember that this is your story so make it a good comeback story! Be proud of who you are and what you have endured!
It occurred to me recently that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas and no matter how hard our society tries to erase that day and turn November into an entire shopping month, the order still stands. First comes Thanksgiving and gratitude. These focuses and intentions set a much better tone for a season full of joy. I mean, am I right? It is not easy to have a joyful heart when you can’t see the good or the blessings that surround you. It is the act of being grateful that leads to a joyful and lighthearted spirit.
I have been feeling extra grateful lately. I have so many beautiful projects coming together, my businesses are growing; I have been feeling very content. An emotion I never thought I could experience, honestly. Since the move things haven’t quite come together in the house yet. I still have my days of overwhelm and it has been MONTHS. I am so blessed to have this cottage, yard and studio. I didn’t feel the need to get a bunch of presents. With healthy friends, family and pets I couldn’t ask for more. That is why this year I had a crazy request for my man.
Only one gift please.
This year was crazy and a nice, simple Christmas was all I really wanted. So with gratitude we focused on other aspects of the holidays together. We baked, cooked, watched every Christmas movie, mailed the cards out on time and truly relaxed. I was not sad at all on the day of Christmas. I happily opened the one present I asked for.
I only mention the One Giftsmas Christmas to hopefully inspire you to do your holiday just as you wish. Sometimes our focus can be material but remembering to infuse your winter season with gratitude will only increase joy and merriment all year long.
In short here are 5 things you can do to best protect yourself as a renter.
Understanding your state’s laws regarding no break leases is the first place to begin. In many states they are illegal. However, not in Georgia.
When repairs have not been made it is absolutely in your right to report it to your city inspector. They will schedule a time to look at the issue and follow up with your landlord or property management company. It can be extremely reassuring to not even worry about contacting your landlord.
Another option for renters whose landlords are not keeping their end of the bargain is to put your rent money in escrow with your county’s Magistrate Court. The money will be released once the repairs have been made. Not paying your rent is not an option. It leaves you open to legal issues. Be sure to put the rent money into escrow.
Knowing even the basics of your state’s laws will help you better protect yourself. Some states work really hard to protect the renters. Some states do not. You do not have to know every single law. Generally an overview can be quite informative.
It seems like a DUH, Grace. But really, keep an accurate record of all rent transactions, lease renewals, inspections, ect. Keep them for the length of time in the house or apartment. Do not throw these out because you have been living somewhere for x amount of years.
A couple years ago when every single thing fell apart, like many others, I decided to truly carpe diem and do exactly what I want. Videography and documentaries have been such a love of mine from childhood. I have long adored nonfiction and now I am taking the camera in my hands and filming to my heart’s desire. A childhood dream come true.
Of course there is always a bit more to the story.
How I am Breaking Out of the Box
More than one business coach could not comprehend how I would make this work. I decided that a hobby should not be subjected to “the fastest possible route to money”. So here I am breaking out of the business box. A no niche show just for the damn fun of it. 😀
All the Things is about wellness, Middle Class American issues, landscaping adventures, power tools, fashion, beauty, mindset- all things solutions. All the Things is anything and everything but never boring. Creative nonfiction has always been my specialty when writing so I am challenging myself to shift over to more visual storytelling.
Each episode evolves as I learn more about visual and sound effects. The episodes become a living breathing item as the story comes to life and I can’t get enough. I actually hate being on camera and this is a great exercise to help me get over that. Looking forward to bringing you all kinds of solutions, tips and hacks as I shift away from the pen and expose decades of articles through the lens of a camera. Hope you enjoy!
When your gut is good your teeth are whiter, your eyes are brighter, your skin glows… There is so much more to gut health than gas, bloating and BM’s, okay? That is just one side of the ever-important, overly discussed gut health story.
Your belly’s bliss should be top priority. This does not mean giving up your favorite naughty love foods, however, this should mean implementing two incredible power tools of gut health supplements. I have personally taken a probiotic for years. Sometimes it would be paired with upper or lower GI spray, or caprylic acid capsule. Eventually I found the peas + carrots combo; the one -two punch of bacterial balancers.
If you already have a probiotic that you love then simply disregard this product. If you have been searching for you soulmate supplement then consider this 450 billion cfu capsule from Naturewise. The cfu count of the probiotic is a strong indicator of how potent your supplement is. This number is important because if it is too low then you are basically wasting your money. I have a STRONG need for gut bacteria stabilization since I have several autoimmune diseases. The 1 million cfu options are not going to help create any real change. Another number to note are the strains included. The Time Release Probiotic contains 30 strains. I have tested many supplement brands and for the past 3 years this is the one I have used. Luckily they are also very affordable, making it an attainable addition to your diet or regimen.
The next product is certainly the best teammate a probiotic ever had. Enzymes. They do things alone, but when combined and proportioned perfectly they help your belly feel at peace within just a couple weeks. Taken with each meal these petite pills aid in digestion by simply making it easier. Metagenics as a brand has never disappointed me and this supplement is no different. Featuring over ten enzymes and medium-chain triglycerides, broad spectrum digestive support is the name of this game. I seriously cannot recommend this product enough. I found both of these supplements on amazon and have not seen them anywhere else.
I know it has been said over and over but your gut affects everything in your body. Your inflammation, mood, ability to absorb nutrients all depend on the right amount of GOOD gut bacteria. Please strongly consider these if you have been struggling with any issues of chronic inflammation.
Was this useful for you? Let me know in the comments!
This is exactly the kind of thing that would have caused Old Me to roll my eyes. Glow Up. However after a deep dive into the realm of amnesia, memory loss and brain injury, I now see things a bit differently. This story will unveil the answers to questions such as
What is it? In short; a substantial life change that results in incredible personal or professional growth. Once you love and honor yourself, others can see it. You feel better and that means you look better too. It is hard to look fly when you feel fried. It can be hard to see your potential when your past may be cloaked with trauma and anguish.
TO GLOW UP IS TO MOVE BEYOND. IT REQUIRES DEDICATION AND SELF DEVOTION.
Maybe you had a wonderful childhood, perfect adolescence, flawless adulthood. If so, this is not for you. If you have been abused by anyone ever, friend, family or even a boss, (more on that specifically) it can really leave a damper on how you view yourself, talk to yourself, and how you perceive yourself. This is an inaccurate view that is unhealthy to indulge. It can harm your personal relationships, your professional opportunities and so much more. It can impact your self esteem and even cause your body to develop autoimmune diseases.
Trauma and stress lead to disease; plain and simple. Untreated psychological and emotional pain will not go unnoticed in the body. Don’t be afraid to expect more from you or your existence. Self improvement is never a regret.
How do you just turn a brand new, self loving leaf? This is where it gets interesting. It looks different for everyone. Here are a few options for you to utilize.
Growth-focused devotions. I have long been a lover of devotion books of all kinds. They pick me up and offer clarity at my lowest and most confused times. I have always used them so that is always my personal first stop on the train to Glow Up Town. If you do not get down that way then look for quotes about boundaries, self esteem or confidence. Save your favorites for a handy go to.
Love yourself with time. This is perfect because it is basically free. This time you devote to yourself can be for your forgotten hobby, learning something new, pampering yourself with a bath or home spa treatment, meditation, stretching or even a NAP. Yes, a nap absolutely counts if that is what you need. We are too driven by lists and societal pressures. Also please do not feel pressure to become perfect overnight. Another aspect of time equaling self love is the knowledge that glowing up takes time.
Own your time and guard it carefully. The very powerful practice of not giving your time away to those or the things that don’t deserve it. Your thoughts also fall under this category. Stressing the hours away is a form of repetitive thoughts is also putting energy where it doesn’t belong. I call these hamster wheel thoughts. These can be very loud if you are worried about money, your job, your family. Try taking this time to manifest the solution. Manifesting is a better use of time than worrying. Worrying rarely produces a solution.
Work out + align your values. This really helps when assessing and establishing boundaries. Keep a firm grip of what you value most and if something doesn’t align, then PLEASE toss it the hell out. Having a deep understanding of what really matters to you helps keep you on your ideal path. Some call this the path to your higher self but let’s just say your ideal path.
A note about self devotion- This is not super common expression therefore let me elaborate. Self devotion is an absolute commitment to honoring yourself to the best of your abilities. It is deeper than self love. You are devoted to honoring yourself. This seems to be skipped over in conversations of massive self reflection and transformation. I don’t think you can glow up, transform or heal without a certain degree of self devotion. Contemplate what those words mean to you. If you are comfortable I would love for you to share in the comments!
Now is time for the story…
I underwent a four hour dental procedure in November of 2020. I was unable to form new memories well past March of 2021. I had 1 memory for January and 1 memory for February. Other than that I have no real idea what was going on. My photographs from that time do not jog because there is no memory. I forgot people, experiences, motivations. In March I though it was over and I was “done” with amnesia. I really don’t have any memories for several more months. I remember July 2021 and after. This obviously caused problems with my businesses but most importantly, I didn’t know who I was. I didn’t know what I liked or what I valued. I had ideas of my values but nothing struck a chord. Nothing made me feel passion or joy. I was a shell.
COVID helped a lot of people realize what was important and who were the real friends. Amnesia was what showed me. People did not listen or care when I shared what I was going through. I decided if you couldn’t be there for me when I was going through something so bad as all out memory loss then I had no place for you in my future. That was when I really began to glow. Seriously. I had so many toxic and pointless relationships in my life that it was easy to let go of dismissive people. It was a literal pleasure. I did not cry over these people either. The new Grace was very “their loss” and moved on. This was a brand new occurrence for me. I had spent years of my life sacrificing myself to people who could care less. Was it my Southern hospitality upbringing or was I just so used to abuse? Either way, I washed my hands of expectations and pressures. I could write an entire book and how to reclaim yourself from assholes. After all, I have a lifetime of experience. I previously had no clue that I was living my life that way; not at all looking after number one. So I decided to undergo a last name change as many people do who have experienced a certain kind of trauma. I got a dash of my dream wardrobe that I may have always wanted. Who knows. I knew I had never worn ruffles a day in my life but suddenly I was down. Ruffles, bows, pink and lace. A total 180 from the business blazers and oxford loafers I had been sporting for years.
If you are still reading this, good for you! Let me share that your glow up may look completely different than you anticipated. Be sure to roll with it and not put yourself in the box of “who you were before”.
I knew people may be curious about why I changed or maybe they didn’t even notice…. either way ya know what I say? Who cares?
This next part may be seemingly insignificant but I promise, it isn’t. My instagram. In fact all my social media handles don’t feel right anymore. My personal instagram is filled with photos I don’t remember. I feel like it isn’t me and I just want to erase it. Delete it. Move on. I know this is an extreme thought for such an important and long term social account. I decided to just bleh it. I opened a different page that more aligns with my journey. I needed a new page for my new self. That was actually scary for me. I have waivered with commitment but I have decided to proceed. I like to take lots of time to contemplate and envision possibilities. I say with 100% conviction that I am ready to share my journey. If you want the up to date and current view of my existence then @glowupwithgracie is your destination.
Gracie D Darling 