Get Better Sleep Tonight

Are you struggling to get enough sleep, or long to feel more rested when you wake?

You're not alone. The CDC lists insufficient sleep as a public health epidemic. Seriously, check it out here.

Luckily, it is within your power to remedy your own lack of sleep problem. Today, I share 3 things that have helped me get more sleep in hopes that one of them will work for you.

Please leave a comment with what you will try out tonight - or what has worked for you in the past to get better sleep.
 

Sweet Dreams,

~Blue

Note: Nothing in this post is intended to diagnose or treat disease. Lack of ability to sleep can indicate serious health concerns, which should be discussed with your trusted healthcare advisor.

Struggling to Decide? Try This...

We are constantly making decisions. (What's for dinner? When to wake up? Which shirt to wear?) Many choices are easy to make... others feel more challenging.

Have you ever been at a crossroads?

Think back to a time you were presented with two (or more) options, and it felt unclear which path to take... Each option had merit as well as costs... You sensed that the path you choose will alter the course of your life... How did you decide?

Perhaps you are standing at just such a crossroads right now... if so, I'm right there with you, and here's a strategy that is helping me decide.  I'd love to hear what you think, and what works for you. Please leave a comment below!

For more about Blue Russ, visit www.blueruss.com

Stepping away from life for a fresh perspective is a GREAT way to make big decisions! Here are two upcoming opportunities in Arizona...

Tranquility in the Forest Women's Retreat

Williams, AZ
September 16-18th
I'll be leading a workshop during this retreat!
More details here.
 

Magical Mama Retreat

Arcosanti, AZ
October 21-23
Just 5 spots remain for my favorite event of the year!
More details here.

When Your Heart Breaks

2016 has been a doozy... from the loss of iconic celebrities... to a slew of natural disasters... mass shootings... a feverish political climate... There's been a lot of challenge and tragedy.

It is all too easy to get caught in a negative spiral, or to dismiss the real pain we are feeling in an effort to keep a "positive attitude."

I recently felt the weight of the world as I took in some disappointing news... A business opportunity that I had opened my heart wide to didn't work out... In the past, I might have stayed in the misery, making it mean something about my worth, or about the way the world is rigged for failure.

This time, I saw it for what it was... a "gift in strange wrapping paper" as my friend Dina calls it... an achingly beautiful opportunity to reach out for support, and to notice how I'm able to fully feel loss (tears were shed), and move through it, trusting that I'm still worthy, that life is still good, that I won't always feel what I am feeling now.

Sometimes what feels at first like heartbreak is actually your heart breaking open... letting in more love than you knew you could receive... deepening your connection to yourself and your knowing... heightening your awareness of the blessings that surround you... opening you up to even more compassion and aliveness.

If your heart is breaking, my wish for you is that you find the blessing within (not in spite of) the unraveling. And that you remember how powerful you are in your ability to heal, and receive healing. Perhaps this 7 minute guided meditation I recorded a while back may help you in your journey. A coaching conversation can also be deeply healing.

You are not alone.

Blessings,
~Blue

In a funk? 3 quick ways to get out now

The other day, I was in a funk. What do I mean by that? I was feeling stuck, stagnant, and kind of grumpy. I am usually a positive, easy going person. This was not a welcome feeling!

At first, I tried to fight it, and talk myself out of it... but that only seemed to make it worse.

Today, I share with you 3 simple ways to get out of a funk, right now. The 3rd one is the one that worked for me this time. Please leave a comment below - Let me know what you plan to try, and what works for you!

Blessings,

~Blue

Ending the battle with sugar cravings

The other morning, I was craving sugar. In the past, I might have gone into battle with myself over it. You know the battle I'm talking about.. either eat something sugary, and feel bad about it... or don't and feel deprived.

Here's what I did instead... (I made this very impromptu 2 minute video for you!)

Shot a quick video for you after a lovely morning hike. Hope this helps you with your sugar cravings! I've got some group and one-on-one opportunities coming up to help even more! www.blueruss.com

Have you been craving sugar? What strategies have you found to help? What do you think of my approach? Please share in the comments!

And... I'd love for you to join me for 30 days of holistic self-care. I'm starting on Tuesday! (participate from anywhere) Learn more here.

What might you do if you didn't have to "earn" it?

The other day, I woke up with a desire for a "cocoon" day - you know, make some tea, curl up in a blanket with a novel... Immediately, I felt guilt creep in, and carried on with my plans -  drop the kids at school, clean the house, work on my upcoming program offerings. I turned on my computer, expecting myself to be productive. I have big plans! I am ambitious! I'll rest only after my to-do list is complete.

...But it didn't work. I couldn't focus. I started craving sugar. And I definitely wasn't productive. As I considered yet another strategy to get myself to work (baking cookies!), I realized I was fighting myself. I took a deep breath. And I let go. I turned off the computer, made some tea, and checked in with my body. She needed a day off!

Photo by Chicky Poo Photography

It didn't matter that I'd recently taken some time off - for a retreat, and then to recover from a cold.

I don't need to earn the ability to nourish myself. Somehow, this is something I forget. Even though I regularly remind my clients and friends of this truth...even though it is a key principle I stand for... I still need a reminder. I still get caught up in old ways of thinking.

Thanks to a lot of deep inner work, coaching, and community, it has become easier and easier to catch myself, and let those thought patterns go.

We Mamas tend to carry around a barrier to our own truth called Motherhood Guilt. The way it shows up varies (no time for self, unreasonable expectations, inability to afford something that would be really nourishing, taking time for self but not enjoying it...), but the source is the same -- the misunderstanding that the best way to contribute to our families is to deny ourselves.

I invite you to consider that the opposite is true. The best way to contribute to those we love is to nourish ourselves. You probably already know this. I invite you to allow this truth in deeper, into your heart so that you live from it, easily and naturally.

I've found that the best way to develop this way of being is to have the right support (including releasing deeply held limiting beliefs through masterful coaching) and accountability (from people who believe in you).

Imagine what you might do if you didn't have to "earn" it?

What is on your heart to do that you hold back from doing? Just last week, I had clients share with me that they would paint, charge for what they currently do for free, travel the world, make videos, be fully present to a child (no doing dishes while halfway listening!), and talk to a partner openly and honestly about desires. These are intelligent, strong women. What holds them back? Only themselves. I am honored to support them in living more of their truth, shedding the motherhood guilt that no longer serves them.

Ready to do the same? Here are two steps to get started...

1. Take nice, deep breathe. Yup, right now.... and on your next inhale, breathe from your core (or womb). Close your eyes, and take a few breaths from there, tuning into your knowing. It may help to place a hand on your belly. Begin with a simple greeting to your body. "Hello." Ask yourself what you need in this moment. Listen, allowing the answer to come, not from your mind but from your body, through your breath. Be ok with no answer. Try this again later. And tomorrow. And when an answer emerges, take action. Build trust with your inner guide. She is a trustworthy source of wisdom.
    
2. Share your experience in the comments below. What would you love to be doing or experiencing? What was it like to tune into your body? You never know who you may inspire by what you share!. And I guarantee that when you share, your experience with be richer, and your odds of taking action increase.

**Bonus step - if you are ready NOW to live more fully - Hop on the phone with me. Gain clarity, ask me anything, learn more about resources to bring ease into your experience. Choose a time on my calendar here.

New Year Exhale (a poem)

The past few weeks have been full of celebration, and internal growth (some of it rather painful). I've taken some time to adjust to the new places my heart is leading me. During this time, I've returned to a long-lost passion... writing poetry.

In honor of the first new moon of this new year, I'm going to do something I've never done before... share a poem with you. I'd love to hear from you if this touches you in any way. (I'd also love to hear about any passions you are returning to this year.) Leave a comment below!

Photo by Grace Marcellino Photography

New Year Exhale
by Blue Russ

It's the dawn of a New Year
I am reaching, stretching for a New Me
Fantastic dreams laid upon my vision board, bubbling thru my Facebook feed
I inhale deeply... dive in... up early to meditate, clean house, smoothie and salad prepared, an orderly schedule of self-care, family, and chores ...
Promising myself I will no longer fall into those same damn mind traps,
Those old familiar landscapes of my internal life.
But soon I find myself back on familiar shores,
Sullen, angry at the world (but mostly at myself) for lacking the willpower to hold my breath longer in these new waters.

What if, instead, I simply exhaled... bowed to the familiar patterns that have woven into my heart, honoring them for taking such exquisite care to protect me all these years?
What if... I released the idea that I need a New Me, and instead embraced the incredible, perfectly imperfect me that I already am?
What if... in letting go of the internal struggle, I effortlessly released the patterns, and created new ones, based on my current reality, based on what brings out the True Me?
What if... nourishing the True Me became my new familiar landscape, and in so doing I naturally revealed the internal beauty of everyone around me?
What if, even on the difficult, stressful, unrelenting days I knew exactly how to come home... to me?
It's the dawn of a New Year.
I'm choosing to exhale.

4 Simple Ways to Reduce Holiday Overwhelm this Year

Oh, the holidays! A time to celebrate, gather with loved ones and... completely stress out, gain weight, and feel guilty! ...Wait a minute, what? Is there another way or is it inevitable?

I know there's a better way! ...one that does not involve deprivation, one that contributes to your pleasure, and a quality experience for your family.

Check out these 4 tips in this video - you can implement them right away! Please leave a comment below. What tips would you add? What will you try? How did it go when you tried these out? I'd love to hear all about it.

Find more tips & recipes at www.blueruss.com (Please join my email list to get a free gift right away!)

Stressed? Need a Moment? Try this. (7 minutes)

I used to think meditating daily was a nice concept, but something only monks could actually manage to do. Who has time between working, parenting, household chores, and volunteering??  Sure, I meditated occasionally, and enjoyed how I felt afterwards.

And then one week I experimented with taking just a few minutes each morning to sit in stillness. It completely changed my life! I felt more calm, clear and spacious. It felt as though I actually had more time in the day (and the responsibilities of life felt less heavy)!

Now, I take mindful time each and every day, even if it's just 2 deep breaths. Ironically, it is easier to take more time when I'm under less stress, but I need it most when I am experiencing the most stress!

One of my favorite, easy ways to rest and reflect, especially on those stressful days, is to listen to a guided meditation. It's so nice to be guided back to internal peace!

Recently, I was inspired to record a guided meditation to share with you. This meditation came to me, all at once, while I was gazing a Blue Moon.... seriously, I never expected such a thing to happen to me, but the more I allow for stillness, the more I realize that the universe is communicating with me - with all of us - guiding us home.

Please set aside distractions for the next 7 minutes, get comfy, and have a listen. Afterwards, I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below.

PS: If you'd like more experiences like this, join me for an entire weekend in October in Arizona for the Magical Mama Retreat! Learn more here.

3 Ways My Mentor Saved My Life

This video is especially for my colleagues... the healers, coaches, visionaries, and heart-centered entrepreneurs. The world needs you, and finding the right mentor can make all the difference in getting your gifts & offerings out to those who need it! For sure, I would not be living my passion (and making a living doing it!) without my mentor.

Want to learn more about mentorship, or just pick my brain about what resource may be the key to unlock what's next for you? Let's hop on the phone so I can help you move forward!

I've opened up my calendar for 20-minute phone sessions just for YOU and your heart-centered business, now through December 10, 2015. Grab your spot (use the "Mentorship" tab on the left) directly on my calendar here:   www.blue-russ.genbook.com  This is my gift to you!

I can't wait to connect!