I love thinking about self-care as a spiritual and sacred act, something I do to honor my health, well-being, and fulfillment in life. I have grown to appreciate that self-care is not just something we do, it is also a way of being. Spiritual self-care includes all of the thoughts, feelings, and actions we choose to focus on in order to nourish ourselves in mind, body, heart and spirit. Our mental physical, emotional, and spiritual energy are created through acts of self-care that generate a sense of wellness, and joy in life and work. When it comes to self-care, it's important to remember, you're human and not perfect. Self-care is a process and it is not about perfection. It is about taking self-loving action in the direction of your well-being, health, and joy each day. It is the devotion to showing up for yourself and your own needs each day, or as often as possible, regardless of what else is going on in your life and despite how many other people and circumstances require your attention. Self-care involves making yourself a priority in the midst of it all. Which can be easier said than done at times.

I'm just getting home from a whirlwind weekend away to visit my aging father, my sister who is in a long-term care home due to advanced MS, my brother who is running point on their care, and my brothers in law, one of whom is celebrating retirement. While balancing the celebrations and the concerns for ongoing care for my family members, I also carry concern for my adult children (one is getting married this spring), and my grandkids who are the light of my life. Twenty or thirty years ago, when people talked about the sandwich generation, I nodded sympathetically like I understood. I didn't get it at all. It's not until you're there that you can fully understand it. It started back in the aughts when my mom's illness was advancing. Caring for my mom in my home while trying to manage working and supporting my kids who were still in school at the time - it was a lot. That was my first real introduction to being in the sandwich. Fast forward to the last several years of watching my father's health decline, trying to be present for my kids and grandkids, maintaining two businesses, and still trying to be present for my partner and have a social life. It's no joke! Now, I'm not complaining. I AM trying to figure it all out, and doing my best to maintain a balanced life. @Melissa Rowe asked me this weekend what I'm doing for me - my response? Meditation, prayer, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. That's what we've got time and capacity for. Perhaps in the days to come, there will be time and space for more. Maybe some winter hikes, some day trips to small-town Ontario or long overdue visits with friends. For now, the urgent and the important have priority. Luxuries get squeezed in where possible. Are you also in the sandwich generation? What's your experience? Are you trying to do the most, or are you achieving success in finding balance? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Hey there - and welcome to our new members! Thank you for joining this little community - we're excited to have you here. I have been working on a couple of projects - one is a fun project that will be a Christmas gift to my grandkids; the other is Volume II of The Mastery Code: Mental Health Matters. As I was finalizing my chapter today, I got thinking about how my inner child likes to mess with my life. She isn't doing it on purpose - she is only trying to help. Here's the thing: my inner child (and yours) responds to stimuli that feel familiar (a disapproving look, feedback that feels like criticism, someone setting a boundary) in a way that makes sense for my inner child. Think of this for example. Have you ever been in a situation that left you feeling angry, afraid, offended, or trapped and you started behaving in a way that didn't seem to make sense? Have you ever caught yourself asking, "Why am I doing this? Why can't I stop?" That's because your inner wounded child has taken over. They recognize the feelings and they hijack the interaction thinking that "this time" they can finally solve it. But what needs to happen is that your adult self - the one that has the skills for self-regulation and problem solving - must take control of the situation. We do this first by calming our inner child and helping them to feel safe. THEN, we can step into triggering situations fully as our mature adult selves and do the hard work of solving the problem. Can anyone relate to this? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments. My chapter in The Mastery Code Volume II is all about healing your inner child. I can't wait for it to come out so I can share it with you!

Hi everyone! Here is a quick walk-through of the new Anger Solutions Guide app. I'll take you behind the curtain to see the exercises that are behind the paywall as well as the very robust free options in the app. Video length: 19 minutes Download the app and test it for yourself! Feel free to share with clients and colleagues alike! https://anger-solutions-guide-756772023757.us-west1.run.app

Hello Leverage U Community, I am beyond thrilled to share some incredible news…The Anger Solutions Guide App is officially LIVE! 🎉You can explore it right now:👉 https://anger-solutions-guide-756772023757.us-west1.run.app/ This app has been a long time coming, and it’s been designed with YOU—our certified Anger Solutions Providers, clinicians, and agency partners—at the very center. Whether you support individuals, families, organizations, or community programs, this tool will make your work smoother, smarter, and even more impactful. 🌟 What Makes the Anger Solutions Guide App a Game-Changer? ✔ Instant access to core Anger Solutions toolsYour clients now have the essential worksheets, explanations, and models right at their fingertips. No more lost papers. No more “I forgot my workbook.” It’s all in one place, 24/7. ✔ Self-guided learning between sessionsClients can review key concepts, complete exercises, and reflect on their progress—all of which deepens engagement and accelerates transformation between appointments. ✔ A consistent, standardized program experienceWhether you’re working one-on-one, running groups, or offering corporate training, the app helps ensure that every participant receives the same foundational Anger Solutions teachings. ✔ A beautiful support tool for regulated and unregulated professionalsThis app empowers you to extend care, reinforce the TSA questions, and guide clients toward sustainable emotional mastery—even outside your office walls. ✔ Makes your job easierThe app simplifies homework assignments, provides ready-made prompts and exercises, and reduces session time spent on basic explanations—freeing you up for deeper therapeutic work. 🎥 NEW! Quick Audio Tutorial To help you—and your clients—jump right in, the app begins with a short walkthrough showing exactly how to navigate the app, where to find each tool, and how to start using it right away. 💬 Please Share the App