Cheryl L. Ilov's Blog, page 7
February 3, 2020
Episode #52: Alternative Health and Healing From Trauma
In a follow up episode, Dr. Elva Edwards shares more of her personal story about surviving a terrible car accident that took the lives of her mother, father, and beloved grandmother. Although nineteen month old Elva and her four year old sister survived, they were orphaned by an event that turned their lives upside down.
Many of the details were left a mystery to Elva and her sister, because none of the adults wanted to discuss the details of the accident with them. Download this episode to learn how Elva did exhaustive research to find out what really happened that night, and how she was able to be a voice for the parents she lost all those years ago, as well as her passion to help other people heal from childhood trauma.
January 30, 2020
Groundhog Day–Again
It’s Groundhog Day. Again. It always reminds me of the movie with Bill Murray where he finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. Repeating the same day and the same patterns drives him bonkers, until he sees a way of turning the situation to his advantage.
Quite simply, he changes his patterns, and magic happens. We all get stuck in habits and patterns that aren’t serving us well, and we end up getting stuck in a rut. The good news is that we can crawl out of that rut with just a few simple changes.
Here are a few tips that sound really easy and downright silly, but trust me, they work.
1). Sleep on the “wrong” side of the bed. It might sound strange, but it can give you an entirely different perspective on bedtime. You might even sleep better.
2). Change your morning routine. Instead of turning on the (ack!) news or checking your email, turn on some music instead. Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the morning and wake up gently, rather than jarring yourself awake with a cattle prod.
3). Use your non-dominant hand to comb your hair, wash your face, and brush your teeth. This lights up your nervous system in a gentle way and makes you more alert, aware, creative, and curious.
4). Drive a different route when you drive to and from work. This increases your cognitive awareness, makes you a safer driver since you will be playing closer attention to your surroundings, and can even improve your reaction and reflexes.
5). Learn a new skill such as dance, music, writing, knitting, learn a new language, join a book club, etc.
And at least trying something (anything) new or different is certainly better than listening to loops of Sonny and Cher singing “I Got You, Babe.” Because, in my humble opinion, nothing could be sillier than that.
January 27, 2020
Episode #51 Adventure, Inner Strength, and Personal Power
Marine and mentor Tami McVay returns to The FemiNinja Project to share her insights on finding your inner strength, flexing your courage muscle, and unleashing your personal power. She also talks about impostor syndrome and how to silence the negative voices in your head, so that you can achieve your full potential and live your best life.
Download this episode to discover how Tami integrates adventure travel with meaningful conversations to help her clients break through their blocks, improve their relationships, thrive in their businesses, and so much more!
https://twitter.com/TamiMcVayMentor
https://www.instagram.com/tamimcvaymentor/
January 20, 2020
Episode #50 Sugar and Gluten and Soy–Oh My!
Kimsey Self, owner of Progressive Health and Wellness returns to The FemiNinja for a follow-up episode to share even more clarity on health and healing. In Kimsey’s own words, “Healing the physical body is a gateway to optimizing your entire life.” And she’s here to tell you how.
https://www.facebook.com/ProgressiveH...
Instagram: @progressivehealthandwellness
Website: www.progressivehealthandwellness.com
January 13, 2020
Episode # 49 Lifelong Learning and Endless Possibilities
Mariah Ehlert, Certified Neurosculpting® Facilitator, Master Nutrition Therapist and Portrait Photographer extraordinaire returns to The FemiNinja Project to share the secrets of creating your own inner sanctuary and the power of forgiveness. She also explains how to rewrite your story, rewire your life, and releasing the magic of the mind-body connection. The possibilities are endless!
https://www.mariahphotography.com/
https://www.therebelbrain.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MariahEhlertPhotography/
https://www.facebook.com/TheRebelBrain/
January 8, 2020
Writer’s Block
Writer’s block. Two words that can strike fear in the heart of every writer. And, like every writer, I have experienced it before, but nothing like I did over the past few months. It was so bad that I couldn’t write anything, not even my grocery list.
I would sit at my kitchen table, pen and paper in hand (yes, I am that old-fashioned), and stare off into space. I even tried to get some inspiration by flipping through a few of my favorite cookbooks. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
The blank paper seemed to mock me as I tapped the pen to my head trying to get some creative synapses firing. And still, I had nothing. Great. My Red Booth Writer’s Group was getting ready to rally and come up with another four new articles to submit to The Pueblo Chieftain, and I couldn’t even come up with a grocery list.
It was depressing. And I understood why writers sometimes go bonkers. Actually, I already knew why. There were many times I had to be talked off the ledge when I was in the process of writing and publishing my first book.
Maybe I was going to be one of those authors who were “one hit wonders.” And then, a few weeks ago, I was having a random conversation with another author at The Big Horn Book Nook at The Georgetown Christmas Festival. I told her the sweet story about my Sugar Plum Tree, and she listened with rapt attention. When I was finished, she said those magic words. “You should write that in a book!”
At first I didn’t give it another thought. But later that day, the flood gates opened. The next day I sat down at my computer and began to write. And I have been writing everyday since, except for one. I gave myself Christmas Day off.
But that wonderful author gave me the best Christmas gift I could receive. I’m starting the New Year with a return to a project that I started and abandoned 9 years ago. I’m not quite ready for the BIG REVEAL right now, but I am hoping to have my next book published this summer. I’ll keep you posted. Sometimes all we need are the right words, from the write person. Write on!
January 6, 2020
Episode #48: A Texas Tragedy
When Dr. Elva Edwards was only nineteen months old, her entire world changed forever on a moonlight spring night when a car ran a stop sign and collided with her family car. Five adults were killed in the horrific accident, including both her parents and her beloved grandmother. By some miracle, Elva and her three year old sister survived.
Elva shares her story with grace and dignity, explaining the pain and confusion that she experienced growing up without her mother and father. Although her paternal grandparents gave them a loving home and a good life, something was always missing.
Download this episode to hear Elva’s story of living with loss, surviving trauma, and how she became a voice for the voiceless as she fought to discover the truth about what happened on that fateful night.
https://www.drelvaedwards.com/
January 2, 2020
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot, or Not?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot? What exactly does that mean, anyway? When Harry met Sally they pondered that very question one New Year’s Eve. Sally said it was about old friends. After extensively researching the topic, I discovered that she was right, but to me it represents something more than old friends. It’s about saying goodbye to the old and ringing in the new.
And a lot of us are ringing in the new year with New Year’s Resolutions firmly in place, which I think is a bad idea, for many reasons. But the main reason is that we all have a tendency to set goals that are way to ambitious which sets us up for failure. That’s an awful way to start a new year, a new decade, or even a new day.
I have another idea. Instead of looking ahead at what you are hoping to achieve in the new year, why not treat the old one like an old friend, and do a little reminiscing? Looking back on the past year is a great experiment in self-reflection, and it is also full of surprises.
Over the past few years, I have made a practice if flipping backwards through my calendar, just to remember what I was able to accomplish (or not) in the previous year, and celebrate the journey of those 365 days that got me to the place of another New Year. I usually end up feeling pretty good about myself, and I’ll bet you will too.
So, take the time to look back, reflect, and celebrate your many accomplishments, no matter how great or small. Give yourself a pat on the back before you plunge ahead into the New Year and a new decade. Even if you think that 2019 wasn’t the best for you, I can guarantee you can find several things to be proud of.
When you do, write them down, make a list, and keep it where you can see it every day as a reminder that you rock. Because, hindsight is 2020. And that’s a wonderful way to start the New Year. Wouldn’t you agree?
December 30, 2019
Episode #47: Spinning, Writing, and Lifelong Learning
Award winning author Bonnie McCune shares her passion for writing, devotion to community involvement, dedication to life-long learning, and commitment to exercise. Especially spinning. She believes that mental activity is the result of physical activity, and that regular exercise helps the creative process.
Bonnie also shares her sharp wit, remarkable sense of humor, and her outlook on life. Visit her at www.BonnieMcCune.com, where you also can read her blog “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives.”
December 23, 2019
Episode #46: Common Courtesy Is Not So Common
Common courtesy is not so common these days. Good manners, respect, and good old-fashioned consideration for our fellow man (and woman) seems to be non-existent. Meet one woman who is determined to bring it back with her own unique style and brand of whipping people back into proper etiquette shape. Anthonette Klinkerman, who is also known as “Colonel Klinkerman,” is the Chief Etiquette Officer and Expert with Courtesy Bootcamp
.
The “Colonel” drills people on a wide variety of topics ranging from please and thank you to cell phone use, cutting people off in traffic, putting away your own shopping carts, cleaning up after yourself, social media, and so much more. You want to share this episode with everyone you know, including your children. Together, we resuscitate the seemingly dying art of courtesy, and help make the world a better place, one thank you at a time.
http://www.courtesybootcamp.com/
