This Might Change Your Life

A Five Minute Dose of Life Changing Magic

I know it’s almost Valentine’s Day and you might be expecting the requisite list of links to pretty heart shaped, loved-up things in your inbox. But just last week, I told you where the really good French caramels and pretty wool dryer balls with hearts can be found. This week, I want to talk about Aristotle!

I mean, sort of. For just, like a sec and then onward. Hang in there.

Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” But how do we reclaim our wisdom when the hard parts of life unmoor us? What gets you back on track when the tough stuff: death, illness, life transitions, endings, maybe even middle age thrown in for good measure, leave you feeling disconnected from self entirely? Cloudy and indecisive. Burnt out and tired. So, so damn tired. What’s the panacea for that?

As I’ve alluded to in NAHLA newsletters, 2023 was an unspeakable year of suffering for my family. They say bad things come in threes, but for us, they arrived in a baker’s dozen of loss, death and heartbreak. When the dust finally settled in December, I took stock. And despite many nourishing and wonderful aspects of my life, I couldn’t quite regain my center - trauma can do that to you.

I tried all the usual allies: supplements and herbs. Acupuncture, yoga, less carbs, plenty of sleep, more meditation. And then, there it was. A miracle thing.

I did it once, for five minutes. And it was like my heart began to radiate light. Actual light! Can you imagine?

Then I did it again. My tired, overworked brain was suddenly flooded with serotonin and dopamine - those “feel good” brain chemicals that do magical things like make you feel happier, regulate your mood and sleep, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

I did it a third time, early in the morning, and that day at work I was lit up with creativity and focus. The fire was back. Catching a glance at myself in the mirror, I saw sparkling eyes staring back at me. Oh hello, old you - welcome back.

Now, it’s just a part of my world. It never lets me down, doesn’t cost a dime and it kind of changed my life.

Maybe it’ll change yours too?