Wendy, Author at Willow In The Wood

About Wendy

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Wendy has contributed 48 entries to our website, so far.

LESSONS FROM THE FOREST – The Path Forward Is Not Always Clear

Mar 8, 2019

Let’s Go For A Walk In The Forest

Most people think of a walk in the forest as an easy, peaceful stroll among beautiful trees and ferns. The trees and ferns ARE beautiful but unless there is a path, it’s ANYTHING but easy. The truth is more likely jumble of broken branches & trees, knee deep duff (That’s the stuff that falls out of trees.) hiding holes with sharp sticks waiting to jab you.

It would be lovely to step off the path and into the woods with little effort, but for that to happen we either need to visit a city park with well kept walkways that often include kids on bicycles and mom’s pushing strollers, where most go, or be ready to climb through piles of slash and straddle our share of stumps and downed trees to get from one place to another. This probably isn’t what you imagined when you envisioned your harmonious communion with nature.

However, if this is a path you want to take, it’s best to clear the way. The enormity of such a task can be daunting. We’d need an army or at least some heavy equipment to get the job done; that is, if we want it done anytime soon. Yet, if each time we go on our walk we remove the obstacles a bit at a time, eventually we’ll make headway and reveal the path that called us.

Our Perfect Life

Our perfect life is like the forest path. We think it should be easy. We should be able to change direction and move smoothly to reach our dreams. Yet, each time we take a step in a new direction, there’s obstacle to deal with. That’s just how it is. At least, knowing this is going to happen give us an opportunity to prepare. When we understand the road less traveled isn’t an easy jaunt, it becomes obvious why not everyone is working for themselves or lives the life of their dreams. Many get excited and jump off their current path expecting it to be better. It could be. It could be A LOT better.

It’s Going To Take Work

Truth: It’s going to take more work than you’ve ever done. It’s going to push you further than you’ve ever gone. You’ll look back and wonder if you should give up. Most do. But, If you want to travel the path to leads you犀利士 to beauty, excitement, fulfillment, and success, head into it with an understanding that path building isn’t for wimps. It is, however, for people just like you who are willing to step off the path of most and keep stepping until you make this new way your own.

Just For You

So, don’t be discouraged when you find your way blocked. Just understand it is part of the process. Think of it like a ladder. And eventually, something that’s too big for you to move or to move past by yourself is going to come up. It’s a pain but it’s OK. This is when we ask for help. We ALL need help at times. It doesn’t mean we’re weak. And coming together to get through the bigger obstacles in life is a blessing in itself. For when we step off our own path to help another or they do so to help us, we see who they really are and wish to be. These are the basics of what we need from each other…to be seen for who we really are and wish to be.

I look forward to seeing you ‘out there’. It’s a place like no other. It was created just for you and it’s beautiful!

NEED= Something required or essential

Jan 10, 2019

A new calendar year has begun, but really, the numbers on the calendar don’t matter near as much as our own inner tracking system.

We all know when it’s time for our basic bodily needs such as eating, rest,giving and receiving intimacy. What I’d like to remind you about is how
it also tells us when it’s time to act. We receive nudges that tell us we need to move away or toward something. We may start to crave being outside, physically moving, relaxation and rejuvenation, getting away from a situation or person.

When we get so uncomfortable in our life it’s more than a nudge, it’s a command. Life would be so much easier for us if we acted on these needs instead of ignoring them. Can you imagine how healthy it would be for
us to ignore our need for food or sleep? It could literally kill us.

How important do you think it is that you pay attention to your needs? The clue is in the word “need”. It isn’t a want. It’s a need.

But we’re stubborn humans who have a brain that tells us it must be safer where we are than where we might go; because at least this is familiar. And usually, also a history of being told to suck it up and push through.

I admit I’m guilty of it too. There are times we have to push through otherwise we’d become spineless blobs not getting anything out of life.

Here’s what I do to know when it’s time to either push through or redirect with rest, food, a new angle to tackle a problem, person, or thing. I pay
attention to my body. It tells me a lot.

For me, I feel like I’m being strangled. My throat and neck get tight. It’s not pleasant. When this happens as I’m working on a project, I give it one last little bit of a push knowing I’ll feel immensely better when it is finished. If necessary I take a break and then come back to the task. Some projects take multiple breaks for me to get through them.

If it’s a situation I need to address, I’m that rip the band-aid off kind of girl. I want it over with. I even told my husband the other night after an ‘airing of grievances’ that I knew it would get better after we talked. And it did very quickly.

You see, not honoring our needs is denying ourselves what it takes to thrive in this life. This year I’m determined to do a better job at this. And yes, sometimes I NEED chocolate.

FOR ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE – Loneliness, Love & Friendship

Oct 31, 2018

LOOKING FOR LOVE & FRIENDSHIP

There are many who are looking for someone. Some are looking for love and others a friend. We all suffer from loneliness at times during our life. In order to find that person you need to know who you are looking for. For those of you who this is what you wish, the following may help.

VALUES/TRAITS

ONE: Look at all the people you know and find those who share the same values that you desire. It’s not that you’re specifically interested in that particular person but are just defining what traits you want in a friend or love. Your boss may be confident, your sister may be creative, & your butcher may have a great sense of humor. When you see a trait in another person that is attractive, write it down. This is going to be your wish list.

WHERE ARE THEY?

TWO: Find out what the people you know who have these traits do for work, what they do for fun, if they worship, where they worship, etc. This is will give you more of an idea of where to find them. And don’t hesitate to tell these people that you are looking for someone special.

COMPATIBILITY

THREE: You’re going to want to find people who like to do what you like to do; not everything but at least some things. Write down everything that brings you joy. Do you like to be outside, play sports, go to art galleries, cook, listen to music? What type of music? Get as specific as you want. If you like classical you won’t want to go to ACDC cover band concerts.

FIELD TRIP

FOUR: Now, go and do what you love. You’re not going to find these people in your house. If you love concerts in the park, go. Yes, alone if it is safe or with a friend or group of friends. The idea is to be and interact with people who like what you like.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

FIVE: Time for R & D. Time to spend time with the potentials. This is what dating is for. And it works the same way with friends. Spend time together and see if you connect.

You may not have a strong connection on your first outing. Building trust and getting comfortable with other’s take time. Just like great inventors creating something new, there will be failures. Don’t let this deter you. It takes as long as it takes. And if you feel like you need or want help, you can hire a life coach. Once you find your friend and/or love, it will all be worth it.

Honoring Our Natural Rhythm

Oct 15, 2018

Since I’ve moved to the forest, it is much easier to honor my ‘natural rhythm’ in all things. I’m not tied to other clocks and naturally reverted to what is healthiest for me. But, now that I have done this, I realize how incredibly powerful this is! I function better in health, happiness, peace, rest, creativity, & productivity. My self-esteem & relationships are better too.

Why didn’t anyone teach us this?

It’s obviously important; like using the right gas in your car or not eating foods that hurt your body. And it’s a basic principal: Honor your natural rhythms.

Here’s a few suggestions on how to do just that:

Are you tired?

You probably know how many hours you’d like to sleep. But to you sleep that much? Demands can push and pull us until we feel we’ll break and they absolutely will if we let them. Getting enough rest is essential to feeling good. So if you have to get up early, go to bed early. Get the rest you need.

Pay attention to how you feel after you eat. Are you bloated, tired, get a headache, brain fog? Are you hungry shortly after eating. The food you put in your body affects you body. Not just your waist but your brain too. And if you’re hungry before it’s time for the next meal, you may not be getting what you need nutritionally from your food. I know I need protein in the morning. I work better and don’t get as hungry so quickly.

Know your brain.

What time of the day are you the most mentally sharp? For me, It’s in the morning. I do my hardest brain work first thing in the morning. I’m at my best physically in the afternoon and I’m creative in the evening.

So my day looks like this: Wake up, drink a glass of water, get my coffee and head straight to my office. I work until late morning when I take my dog for a walk. When we come back, I have a protein rich breakfast and go back to work for another 3 hours doing my busy (not brain) work. In the afternoon I engage in the physical part of life; clean house, laundry, run errands, meet clients or friends, etc. Before or after dinner I may read or engage in some conversation, art, or music. Honestly, if I try and create in the morning, it doesn’t work. Just as if I try and work on technical problems in the afternoon I feel like I’m fighting a battle. My body and mind feel so uncomfortable I feel compelled to do something else…anything else.

This can go deeper and deeper. Hate your job? Then It’s probably not the right one for you. Unless it’s a person at your work. Then it could be a great relief to find the same kind of job with different people. We don’t fall in love with the first person we date & we may not even like them. Why would we thing it would be different with a career?

Knowing AND HONORING our natural rhythms can do a lot to make our lives better.