In this episode, I explore the mindfulness concept that "you are exactly where you're meant to be." I delve into what this phrase truly means beyond just positive thinking, and how we can approach our present experience with genuine openness and curiosity.

We explore the various reactions people might have to this statement - from eye-rolling skepticism to deep relief - and what these reactions tell us about our relationship with the present moment. I emphasize that accepting where we are isn't about wanting to stay there forever, but rather about creating the conditions for natural movement and growth through mindful awareness.

I connect this concept to Rumi's famous poem "The Guest House," using it as a metaphor for how we can host all our experiences - thoughts, emotions, and circumstances - with greater presence and acceptance. The episode offers a gentle reminder about the transformative power of welcoming our experience exactly as it is.

Resources Mentioned:

• Rumi's poem "The Guest House" - https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/guest-house/ 

This episode is perfect for anyone feeling resistant to their current circumstances or seeking a more mindful way to approach life's challenges. It's a reminder that mindfulness isn't about forced positivity, but about meeting our experience with genuine curiosity and openness.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I attempt recording an episode while x-country skiing and dive into a topic that has been coming up a lot recently in my community - resistance - particularly as it shows up during these challenging winter months when we're dealing with sick kids and snow days. 

I explore how mindfulness teachings can help us understand resistance and suffering, sharing how our attempts to fight against our current reality often add an extra layer of difficulty to already challenging situations. I walk you through practical strategies for working with resistance, including:

• Why it's important to acknowledge our resistance rather than trying to fight it
• What the "second arrow" concept teaches us about how our reactions can cause additional suffering
• How we can move from resistance to acceptance through the bridge of allowing
• Practical ways to meet our resistance with curiosity and compassion
• Finding those small moments of connection, even within challenging circumstances

I share this episode as a compassionate framework for all of us moms dealing with the inevitable disruptions of winter (and being a mom in general!) - from sick kids to snow days - offering tools to help us move through resistance and find more ease in difficult moments.

Resources Mentioned:

FLOURISH: My science-backed, interactive program designed for women who want to be present and resilient mothers. This program helps you set intentional boundaries and become the happiest version of yourself while breaking generational patterns. Join our community at theschoolofmom.com to learn more about navigating motherhood mindfully.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I share a reflection inspired by a recent Healing Your Lineage call in our FLOURISH community on how the mother wound is playing out in real-time in my life.

Key insights from this episode:

• The mother wound involves inherited beliefs and programming passed down through family lineages, influenced by cultural and societal patterns
• My personal journey with people-pleasing and tendency to protect others' feelings stems from seeking unconditional love and acceptance that was unavailable in my relationship with my mother
• A pivotal moment in my healing came through exploring my birth stories and realizing how I held back from sharing positive experiences to protect others
• The importance of stepping into celebrating and embracing our lives without apology, while recognizing that others' reactions reflect their journey, not ours

This episode offers a raw look at how the mother wound can influence our behavior in subtle ways, even after significant healing work. It's a reminder that healing is ongoing and that each new awareness creates opportunity for growth.

Resources Mentioned:

• FLOURISH: A 12-month program for women ready to dive deep into this work in community: https://theschoolofmom.com/flourish 
• Storytelling session about my journey with my mother: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4PdgTyG7g 

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I share two insights from recent conversations with FLOURISH students that have deepened my understanding of what it truly means to thrive in motherhood.

Key Points:

• The "Flourished Mother" archetype - an embodiment of embracing rest, pleasure, boundaries, and intentional self-care
• Why flourishing isn't a destination but an ongoing journey of growth
• The importance of shifting from seeing flourishing as a future state to recognizing it's available in our present reality
• How small shifts in mindset and language (like changing our tagline from "path to thriving" to "path for thriving") can reflect deeper truths about personal growth
• A student's journey from "managing okay" to experiencing improvements across all aspects of life

Big News: FLOURISH is now open for ongoing enrollment! Rather than having limited registration windows, we're making this transformational program available year-round to honor each woman's unique timing and ready-ENOUGH-ness.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I delve into the complex relationship between mothers, money, and self-investment, sharing insights inspired by my recent silent meditation retreat.

I explore the concept of "Dana" (generosity) and how it connects to larger questions about how we value and invest in ourselves. I discuss the invisible barriers that often prevent women from investing in their personal growth and wellness, introducing the interconnected concepts of the "mother wound" and "money wound" - unconscious programming passed down through generations that influences how we view our own worth and what we feel entitled to invest in.

I share my personal journey of transforming my relationship with self-investment, from only valuing visible, physical results to understanding the priceless nature of inner work. I explore how mindfulness practices have created profound shifts in various aspects of my life - from reducing my resting heart rate to healing my relationship with chronic pain and my body image.

Through this discussion, I invite listeners to examine their own beliefs around self-investment and consider what might be holding them back from prioritizing their growth and wellbeing. I emphasize that while the impact of inner work may be less immediately visible than other investments, its ripple effects on our lives, relationships, and future generations are immeasurable.

Resources Mentioned:

• FLOURISH: My science-backed, integration-focused program for women ready to invest in their personal growth and healing
• IMS (Insight Meditation Society): Where I recently completed my silent retreat
• MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction): Referenced as an example of how mindfulness has been integrated into Western healthcare

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I share reflections immediately following my silent meditation retreat, exploring the transformative journey from resistance to profound peace.

We delve into:

• The initial challenges of disconnecting from busyness and technology - feeling like "a busyness addict in recovery"
• The natural progression from resistance and boredom to discovering a state of calm and quiet joy
• Why choosing dedicated mindfulness practice over conventional "relaxation" experiences can create more lasting transformation
• Understanding how our nervous systems often find safety in busyness, and how we can learn to find safety in stillness instead
• The fundamental Buddhist teaching that human suffering comes not from life's natural challenges, but from our craving and resistance to what is
• An invitation to "swim upstream" together in a culture that prioritizes doing over being

Key insights:

• The practice of mindfulness teaches us how to be with whatever arises in the present moment in a way that reduces suffering
• It's possible to cultivate ease and peace in your body, regardless of your starting point
• Deep mindfulness work can create sustained positive changes that outlast temporary pleasures
• We're often "wearing neon in a sea of black" when choosing presence over distraction

Resources Mentioned:

• FLOURISH: A science-backed, interactive program designed for women who want to be present and resilient mothers while breaking generational patterns.
• Free mindfulness resources available at www.theschoolofmom.com 

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

In this episode, I share my experience and insights about attending silent meditation retreats at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Western Massachusetts, as I prepare for my third retreat.

We explore how these retreats, while challenging, have profoundly impacted my life, work, and family. I discuss:

• The reality of silent retreats versus the common perception of them being "nice and peaceful"
• How the first few days often involve "plotting your escape" before reaching a turning point
• My journey from being forced to attend my first retreat as part of a graduate certificate to voluntarily returning for more
• The experience of disconnecting from technology and the unexpected freedom that comes with it
• How these retreats helped birth The School of MOM and deepened my understanding of mindfulness and self-compassion
• The profound insights gained about mothering ourselves, especially for those without healthy mother models
• The concept of fierce self-compassion versus tender self-compassion, and how retreats helped me discover and embody both
• Why longer, dedicated practice time creates deeper insights than short daily meditation sessions
• The importance of prioritizing ourselves, even (and especially) when it feels inconvenient

A key takeaway: While shorter meditation sessions are valuable, extended periods of practice can provide a "full charge" to our system, creating lasting positive effects that ripple through our lives for months to come.

I also share a lighthearted moment involving a cherry tomato incident in the silent dining hall, reminding us that even in serious practice, there's room for humor.

Stay tuned for insights from this upcoming retreat in future episodes!

Learn more/sign up for FLOURISH: https://theschoolofmom.com/flourish

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

In this episode, I'm reflecting on a profound realization from my recent two-week break with family. Despite the usual chaos of family life - kids being kids, relationship dynamics, travel logistics, and even a COVID disruption - I experienced an unprecedented level of groundedness and ease in my body and nervous system.

Key insights:

• A grounded nervous system becomes the thermostat that impacts those around you, rather than being a thermometer that simply reacts to others' states
• This inner work requires structure, accountability, and support - whether through meditation, community practice, or professional guidance
• Technology, particularly phone use, can be a major barrier to developing this dedicated practice of stillness and self-connection

Join us this January for these opportunities to begin or deepen your practice:

• Decrease Your Phone Time Challenge (Starting January 17th) - sign up link coming soon!
• The MOM Pause (January 27th) - sign up here
• FLOURISH Program: Special offer: 12 months for the price of 6 through 1/31/25 - learn more here

Remember: Your thriving in 2025 begins with saying yes to yourself and getting the support you need. The path to being more present and grounded starts now.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I explore a different approach to New Year's transitions and resolutions, particularly for mothers and women. We dive into why the traditional January 1st pressure might not serve us, and how we can align more naturally with cyclical rhythms.

We explore how:

• The arbitrary nature of January 1st and why putting pressure on this specific date often sets us up for failure
• The connection between women's bodies, moon cycles, and natural seasons (all following a 28-day/4-stage pattern)
• Why the winter solstice invites us into darkness and introspection, even as holiday festivities push us toward outward energy
• The practical challenges of reflection and intention-setting during the holiday season as a mother
• How we can use the Lunar New Year (late January) as a more aligned time for reflection and intention-setting

I introduce the concept of cyclical living and offer alternative approaches to new year transitions that honor our natural rhythms and energy levels during this season.

Resources Mentioned:

• Lunar New Year Gathering for The School of MOM community (coming January 2025). Register here

FLOURISH: A 12-month interactive program designed to help mothers create new cycles of being and doing for themselves and their lineage. Learn more at theschoolofmom.com/flourish 

[Special offer: 12 months for the price of 6 months when you sign up by January 31!]

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

In this episode, I explore the concept of mindful awareness during the holiday season and how to break free from unconscious patterns, particularly around boundaries and people-pleasing behaviors.

We delve into why we often find ourselves repeating the same patterns year after year, especially during busy times like the holidays. I introduce the idea of treating this season as a "living, breathing meditation" and explain how making unconscious patterns conscious is the first step toward meaningful change.

Key concepts covered:

• Understanding why 90-95% of our experience is driven by our subconscious and unconscious mind
• Exploring how certain behaviors, even if they don't serve us, can feel "safe" to our nervous system
• The importance of looking beyond surface-level habit change to address deeper nervous system patterns
• Why becoming the person who can hold boundaries is more important than just learning about boundaries
• How sustainable change requires tending to our root-level patterns and giving ourselves time to grow, just like nature

Resources Mentioned:

• FLOURISH: A 12-month interactive program designed to help mothers create new cycles of being and doing for themselves and their lineage. Learn more at theschoolofmom.com/flourish [Special offer: 12 months for the price of 6 months when you sign up by January 31!]
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call