Today I Choose

In today’s raw and real-time episode of Tea Times with Melissa & Tara, we are celebrating Tara’s Mom’s birthday with some special announcements and stories about synchronicities. Be sure to listen as Tea Times is moving to a new podcast! . . . And, if you’re new to these episodes, I suggest starting with the first Tea Times to give you the whole story. . . . #todayichoose #intention #intentionalliving #nowsthetime #tattoos #tattoo #synchronicity #synchronicities #healing #trauma #overcomingtrauma #celebrations #traumainformedcare #tattooedwomen #teatime #tea #gossipwithapurpose --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Hi, happy Tuesday and welcome back to Tea Times with Melissa and Tara, I’m Melissa Bingham and in these special episodes of the Today I Choose podcast, I’m talking with Tara Whiteman-Fager as she shares the multifaceted storytelling behind the scenes of her upcoming book Scientific Poetry & Prose, an Abstract Prequel to the Talk & Tales of the Tattooed Women.     Talk and Tales of the Tattooed Women is intended to be her second publication and is the book that she initially had set out to write when she began this tattooing escapade so many years ago…dating back to her adolescence!   You can read all about the juicy details regarding her inking journey soon, in Scientific Poetry & Prose.   We are aiming for a February publication date.  Tara intentionally chose this month in honor of her biological Mother’s birthdate which is on 2/6  story Keep an ear out for the exact date.  We’ll certainly keep you posted!   Now, many of you listeners have already sat with us in circle and know that we don’t just stop there…  …simply talking about books and tattoos.     As a matter of fact, we’ve recently been told that some of our listeners have found inspiration in the words and ideas exchanged as Tara and I discuss little crumbs of our personal stories.  During past Tea Times, she and I had candid conversations regarding our experiences as friends, colleagues, and soul sisters.   We share talk about the tools we’ve used regarding our own healings.  And sometimes, but only with permission, talk about the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual healings we’ve witnessed in others - those of who we work with in our leadership roles.     By now, our listeners know that when we speak of gossip with a purpose, this is what we mean.  Sharing stories of ours and those who have entrusted us to tell their tales…during Tea Times.  And sometimes…they even join in!   So, pour an extra large potion today…because this episode is packed with tips, tools, tales, and even a little chit chat with a guest who “spontaneously knocked’ on our door when Tara and I had just sat ourselves down for this week’s Tea Times!  We had invited her to join us last minute and weren’t sure if she could make it.  But she showed up!     Alright now, take a moment, get comfy and listen as we drop in, starting with a pre conversation between Tara and I, regarding our own experiences thus far, while in process of producing these books and in tandem, the podcast series - known to y’all as Tea Times.   To connect to today's guest, Katie, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KtVDesignShop https://foxxyktv.threadless.com/   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Welcome to this episode of Tea Times with Melissa & Tara – a place where women partake in an age-old tradition of talking openly, on record, about the things that go on behind their closed doors. All with a purpose of healing.   On today’s podcast, Tara and I continue to gossip with a purpose’ as she likes to say about her upcoming book, “Scientific Poetry & Prose” and how even the most simple things can be made sacred, even the inspiration for two of her tattoos!    Grab your potion and find your seat at the table, hear a bit more about the multifaceted “why” of this book.    Enjoy!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Grab your favorite potion and cozy up for Tea Times with Melissa and Tara. In this first of a four-part conversation, Melissa invites Tara Whiteman-Fager to share about her new book, Scientific Prose and Poetry, the prequel to her forthcoming book Talk and Tales of the Tattooed Women. NOTE: This episode has some salty language. Not for little ears. About... Tea Times - where women partake in an age old tradition of talking openly, on record, about the things that go on behind their closed doors.  All with a purpose of healing.  Tara likes to giggle and call this “gossip with a purpose” - the purpose that we come together as wise women (and men) bringing all of our skill sets - as well as our friends and their knowings - to gather in “circle” & share wisdoms.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Welcome back to Today I Choose and Tuesday’s Tea Times with Melissa and Tara.   Last week, in episode 2, we filled you in on the multifaceted “whys” of Tara’s upcoming book, her first paper publication titled The Scientific Poetry and Prose, An Abstract Prequel to the Talk and Tales of the Tattooed Women, the first of a 2 part series.   Join us in circle this week as Melissa carefully convinces Tara to take us with her when per my asking, she shifts gears and focuses down a slightly different lens.  Pull up a chair, pour your favorite potion into your chosen mug and  journey with us…through voice and story,  as we boldly dare explore more of this unique expression of self through Tara’s sharing of her  poetry and prose. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

When I recorded this meditation, it was a new moon. And that got me thinking… First, I was reminded of the Albert Einstein quote, “You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.” Next, this led me to consider: what does that mean? How do I, in other words, open to a new mind? How do I form new ways of thinking and new ways of being? To create new thoughts or to come to an out-of-the-box solution, Einstein suggests, one needs new neural pathways. And to start this process, one must disengage from the repetitivity of mental looping. For me, this new thinking begins with meditation. Be open to something different As you embark on a new moon or a new mind, I invite you to be curious. Truthfully, this way of being open to something different can feel like a mind-mess. If this happens, be curious. Personally speaking, even if there is no problem, I want to be open to looking at things with new eyes and new ways of being. I want to expand. I want my vision to widen. I want my beingness to evolve. So as we come together today, I invite you to use meditation as a way to be grounded in the shakeup of your thinking. Most of all and again, I invite you – through meditation – to be curious. As always, please enjoy! More from Melissa and Today I Choose The Joy Healer with Cathy Weiss Rewrite your money-story with Paula Onysko Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: Tapping into Peace, Tapping into Pulse More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Clairvoyance, intuition, and the electromagnetic field of joy On today’s episode, I am so excited to share my conversation with The Joy Healer, Cathy Weiss. In Cathy’s words, she describes herself as a fully recovered codependent, hide-behind-the-drama-and-BS-of-day-to-day-life person who was, tragically, trying to dim her own brightness. Since then, however, she’s spent the better part of the last 25 years healing those wounds and, in the process, has uncovered an incredible truth – that life is so much calmer, easier, and more FUN when we’re able to be ourselves. In other words and to her, being ourselves is what JOY looks and feels like. Cathy Weiss: the mystical healer…AND Disney Travel Planner?? As you’ll hear, Cathy is an effervescent delight. We cover so much ground in this short conversation, including: The difference between joy and happiness Her work with electromagnetic fields and how those fields reacts and responds to one another The question of, “Can clairvoyance be taught?” How to tune into our own energy A clairvoyant reading on myself! and why she’s also a certified Disney Travel Planner… If I had to describe this conversation in a word, I would call it…a JOY! And after you listen, it is my hope that you’ll find yourself in an energetically and vibrationally higher place than when you started. Most of all and as always, please enjoy! Resources Related to this Episode Monday Meditation: The Ripple Effect Monday Meditation: Tapping into Peace, Tapping into Pulse Atlas of the Heart By Brené Brown Thejoyhealer.com The Joy Healer’s Soul Tribe on Facebook More from Melissa and Today I Choose Rewrite your money-story with Paula Onysko Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager More Today I Choose Meditations Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Today, we're visiting one of my favorite topics…and that is the ripple effect. To explain this, think about the ripple effect from an energetic perspective: we all walk around this earth with a radiating field that starts at our core and continually undulates outward. Like waves rippling from a single drop of water falling in a pond, we make ripples. And as these waves move further and further away from our center, they might lose visibility. Nonetheless, that energy is touching other energy, becoming one with the pond, one with the whole. You are the nucleus. Going back to this idea of a pond or a lake, this is how I see mediation. When the wind is blowing and the water is rough, the surface of the water is stirred. But if we are the water – all of the water – we are both the surface and the depth, the stillness underneath and the movement without. If this is confusing, here’s another way to think about it: we each ripple out what we are. What our brain is thinking at any given moment is the drop of water falling in the pond; our thoughts are the ripples calling from within the universe without. So as we come together to mediate today, I invite you to consider: what are you rippling out and calling in? A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. If you remember that your influence begins with you, ask: what are you sending out? As always, please enjoy! Resources Mentioned in this Episode The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age by John Heider  More from Melissa and Today I Choose Rewrite your money-story with Paula Onysko Stop & Flow to Recharge your Life with Kristin Onderdonk Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: Tapping into Peace, Tapping into Pulse Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

There's a lot going on in our world. And personally speaking, I’m just trying to get through each day. To do this, the thing that keeps me grounded, calm, and centered is my meditation practice. And when I need more than my meditation practice to keep me grounded, calm, and centered? I go into nature. This might sound simple – and it is – yet looking at the beauty, wonder, and joy around me reminds me to change my internal picture. Tapping into the pulse of the universe In addition to nature without, I've been looking at nature within. And I do this by taking my pulse on my wrist, trying to feel my heartbeat and recognize that the same pulse that beats within me is the same pulse that beats within everybody else. All living, sentient beings beat within the heart of mother earth and the cosmos. The heartbeat, in other words, is an expansive reminder of oneness. If we can tap into that beat and anchor ourselves in oneness, peace, harmony, and love, we can hold that as the true picture of who and what we are. So as we come together to meditate today, I invite you to look at your heartbeat within and turn it to see a more harmonious world without. As always, please enjoy! More from Melissa and Today I Choose Rewrite your money-story with Paula Onysko Stop & Flow to Recharge your Life with Kristin Onderdonk Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

I'm happy to welcome Paula Onysko to the podcast today. Interestingly, I found Paula at the beginning of the pandemic through synchronicity. I was doing research on the tapping technique and her website just…popped up. Since then, Paula has not only been a wonderful resource, she’s become a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. Her tools around abundance, wealth, and a personal money-story have become instrumental. And today we’re talking about everything from success, worth, alignment, and protecting your energy within a bubble. Transform your beliefs about money and success Paula Onysko is a Money & Business Coach who helps soulful entrepreneurs create strong, profitable businesses they love leading. She believes in stopping the hustle mentality that is draining women and creating success through peace, flow, and alignment instead. Through private and group coaching and her annual retreat, Paula guides clients to strengthen their pricing and service offerings, strategic planning, team leadership, and money mindset. As always, please enjoy! Resources from this episode: About Paula Onysko  Paula Onysko on Facebook Paula Onysko on LinkedIn Follow Paula Onysko on Instagram Tapping Scripts to Align Your Inner World by Paula More from Melissa and Today I Choose Stop & Flow to Recharge your Life with Kristin Onderdonk Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: champagne (like life) bubbles up Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Before recoding this episode, I’d been traveling and sensing into what I wanted to share with you. And over and over again, two words kept coming up: Grounded Presence. While traveling, people kept saying to me, “Melissa, you have so much going on!” And while traveling, I kept saying to myself, “Melissa,” – yes, I sometimes talk to myself in the third person – “You do have so much going on…but don’t we all?” In other words, isn’t “so much going on”…life? Each day, we all must navigate twists and turns, ups and downs, and surprises of all kinds. And to me, what helps to navigate the “so-much” of life is those two words: grounded presence. The power to choose with grounded presence Personally speaking, I can get so in my head and get so floaty/out-there that I often have to remind myself, “What's happening right here in my presence and in my body?” Being present allows me to consider: who's speaking? Being present allows me to see the task at hand. Being present allows me to witness the beauty all around. Simply, grounded presence enables me to navigate anything that comes about. Most of all, that's where meditation comes in. For me, meditation is the foundational practice that allows me to come into myself. So as we meditate together today, I invite you to consider: where can you replace “so-much” with “grounded in the now?” Otherwise and as always, please enjoy! More from Melissa and Today I Choose Stop & Flow to Recharge your Life with Kristin Onderdonk Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: champagne (like life) bubbles up Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

On today’s episode, I’m delighted to have my friend, Kristin Onderdonk, back on the show to talk about her new book, Stop & Flow: 8 Steps to Recharge your Life, Overcome Stress, Pain, and Cravings. For those who haven’t heard our previous conversation, Kristin was one of my first guests when I started Today I Choose last year. While her new book was in the works then, it has since taken on a life (and, as you’ll hear, an energy…) of its own. In any event, we talk about so much here - from Tia Chi, to movement, to Kristin’s work with addition and group recovery, and to her unique process of tapping into your heart-center in the midst of flow. In conclusion, this was such a spirited conversation with so much goodness packed in that, most of all, I hope you enjoy it! More from Kristin Onderdonk Stop & Flow: 8 Steps to Recharge your Life, Overcome Stress, Pain, and Cravings by Kristin Onderdonk My first Conversation with Kristin Onderdonk Enjoychi.com Kristin Onderdonk on Amazon More from Melissa and Today I Choose Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: champagne (like life) bubbles up Monday Meditation: replace “Make Your Bed” with “Meditate” Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

As I was feeling into what to focus our meditation on today, I kept seeing champagne bubbles… “That’s a funny thing to meditation on,” I thought. “Champagne…” Yet the bubbles kept appearing in my mind’s eye and, like the burst of a champagne-bubble under my nose, it struck me: life IS like champagne. Picture this: toward the bottom of the glass, the golden liquid is settled, stable. But toward the top of the glass, bubbles cascade and crash. They float upward and they fizz out. Bubbling up and out So while this episode was recorded between Christmas and New Years (I’m sure this is why I was thinking about champagne…), it continues to be relevant. For instance, by reflecting back on the year or even the past month, picture all of the different things that have happened to you. Maybe you see somethings as good and others things as bad. Maybe you see somethings as right and other things as wrong. No matter how you look at it, everything that’s happened has bubbled up. The practice, then, is to get in touch with the bottom half of the glass, your base. That’s why we start each week in meditation. So as we come together to meditate today, I invite you to let those little champagne bubbles do their thing and bubble up. Perhaps let yourself tap into your grounded-center. And as always, please enjoy! Related resources from Melissa Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: replace “Make Your Bed” with “Meditate” Monday Meditation: Give Unconditionally Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

The first task of the day Welcome to meditation. I'm so glad you're here. It's a rainy, chilly day in Northern California. It’s one of those days where you wanna snuggle up in bed. And that was me all day yesterday. Funny enough, doing podcast interviews last week, somebody brought up the book, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William McRaven. The premise of the book is simple: if you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. Replace “make your bed” with “meditate” McRave suggests that by making your bed, you will receive a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do more. That makes sense. But it also got me thinking…what if we change “make your bed” and replaced it with “meditate?” Meditation is a foundational practice for me. It’s the stillness in the swirl of life. So as we meditate together today, I invite you to consider: what might your life look like if you mediated first thing every day? As always, please enjoy! Related resources from Melissa Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: Give Unconditionally Monday Meditation: the gift of gratitude Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Give unconditionally to receive unconditionally In preparation for today’s meditation, I was looking at different books in order to bring added context to our session, but I couldn't find one that I wanted to settle on! I was, however, struck by how many beautiful books I’ve received as gifts over the years. And then I was struck by how many beautiful books I’ve given out over the years. So when I woke this morning, I felt into this idea of receiving and the reciprocity of giving. Like cyclical breath When we give unconditionally, we also are receiving. In truth, it is in the giving that we receive. Think about this in terms of cyclical breath. As we breath in, we're receiving. As we breathe out, we're giving. That’s what we’ll use as the foundation for our meditation today. As we prepare to meditate together, I invite you to consider: where else, like your breath, do you see giving to receive? I, for one, am struck by the wisdom of trees: always giving, always receiving. As always, please enjoy! Related resources from Melissa Healing trauma from the body on up with Meg Tobin Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: the gift of gratitude Monday Meditation: be present to what is Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

I am so happy to be sharing my conversation with Meg Tobin. Meg is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor trained in – among other body-centered modalities – EFT Tapping, Brainspotting, EMDR, and Psychodrama. And today, we’re going to talk about the impact that trauma, anxiety, and stress has on our central nervous system. From the body on up According to Meg, we in the West tend to take a top-down approach to healing. That is, we use words and cognitive functioning to approach trauma. A bottom-up approach, on the other hand, starts within the body. And by beginning at the cellular level, Meg postulates that we can release our traumas fully. Plus, you’ll hear Meg help me overcome an obstacle in my life by leading me through a tapping session. In total, there’s so much here…I am excited for you to listen. As always, please enjoy! Links Mentioned: EFT Tapping Basics Breathing Space Psychotherapy Breathing Space Psychotherapy on Instagram Breathing Space Psychotherapy on Facebook More about Meg Tobin Related resources from Melissa Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: the gift of gratitude Monday Meditation: be present to what is Monday Meditation: Ridiculous joy Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

As you ring in 2022, I want to share a meditation from Thanksgiving 2021 on gratitude because gratitude is a practice not just reserved for one day of the year. Personally, I try to practice gratitude often. And in today’s meditation, we’re going to reflect on a passage from M.J. Ryan’s book, Giving Thanks: The Gift of Gratitude. M.J. says, “To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course, everything originates in a will for the good which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.” As we prepare to meditate today, I invite you to consider: what are you grateful for? By seeing your abundance, you will begin to invite transformation, synchronicities, and opportunities into your life. And as always, please enjoy! Book referenced: Giving Thanks: The Gifts of Gratitude Kindle Edition More resources from Melissa Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: be present to what is Monday Meditation: Ridiculous joy Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Recently, I drove from Santa Cruz to San Francisco on Highway 1… …and there were so many places to stop and take pictures. I was by myself. I wasn’t on a schedule. So I stopped some 10 times to take spectacular picture after picture. The views were epic. And, to put it simply, the drive was a reminder to see what was in front of me. Over the last six weeks, life has taught me that things can change in a second. Thus, being present is truly all that we can do. That’s why we meditate. Meditation reminds us to come back to the present. As we quiet our mind chatter – the monkey mind – and we pay attention to our body and our breath, we allow the outside noise to fade away and to come into alignment with our center. Today, I invite you to meditate and consider: how do you feel in your body right now? Finally…if you ever get the chance to drive along Highway One in California, I invite you to do it. It includes some of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see. Enjoy! More resources from Melissa Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: observe without judgment Monday Meditation: how do you want to feel as you finish the year? Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

We were laughing before I hit record today and there’s a very good reason why. I shared with the group a new mascot for my Monday Morning Meditations. His name is “Gn-OM” and he’s a beautiful ceramic gnome that I found at a holiday bizarre. Simply put, Gn-OM (get it?) brings me so much ridiculous joy. And Gn-OM matters because he can help during this crazy time. “How can Gn-OM help, Melissa?” I hear you ask. Well, Gn-OM helps because he keeps my frequency high. He raises my vibration. And he’s a small way that I can do my part to stay grounded and balanced in the world. Now, Gn-OM doesn't mean that I get a spiritual bypass. And Gn-OM doesn't mean that I’m being Pollyanna. Rather, Gn-OM is a small way that I’m bringing more love and light and joy to my being. In other words, with Gn-OM, I raise my vibration and start to help. Gn-OM is a talisman that reminds me, “Remember the joy! Remember the fun.” Today, I invite you to have fun and join me in meditation as we consider: where can you find more ridiculous joy? More resources from Melissa Traumas & Triumphs: neurology of the heart, self-care, tattooing, & the mind-body connection with Tara Whiteman-Fager Monday Meditation: observe without judgement Choreography, Poetry, and Peacocks with Jess Coffman Monday Meditation: how do you want to feel as you finish the year? Monday Meditation Series: Law 1 of the 7 Spiritual Laws Meditation More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support

Self-care begins with intention In today's episode, I'm very excited to share a beacon of intentional living, my friend, Tara Whiteman-Fager. Tara has been living her life with intention for over 10 years, incorporating a mind-body approach to self-care. Each day, Tara practices intentional living through all aspects of her life, including her relationships, her work, her parenting, her artistry, her ancestry, her coaching, and more. What you’ll hear is a self-proclaimed “emotional warrior” with so much wisdom to give. More about Tara: Tara has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from The College of Saint Rose, a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Northeast College of Health Sciences (formally known as New York Chiropractic College), is Acupuncture Certified by National University of Health Sciences, is Webster Certified for pre- and post-natal care, and is currently enrolled in the Integrative Wellness Academy, working through the Masters Coaching Program and Emotional Clearing Method Healing Technique. Additionally, Tara is the co-owner and Vice President of Operations at Hands On Family Heath, P.C. More recently, Tara became the owner and operator of Now’s the Time Integrative Health and Wellness Life Coaching Center. Tara would say she is many things...among them a mother by instinct, a healing artist by choice, and a very proud dog mom. We’re going to talk about so much, but some highlights include: Tara’s choice to “sober” up from alcohol Her advocacy for suicide prevention and mental health importance Co-parenting Her Personal healing choices Navigating uncomfortable truths by dealing with traumas, trials, tribulations and transformations Authentic-healing practices Storytelling And tattooing as a healing modality As always, please enjoy! Links Mentioned in this Episode Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It Second Edition Hands on Family Health, P.C. More resources from Melissa More Today I Choose Meditations Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide You Through Your Life Today I Choose: Daily Intentions to Guide you Through Your Life Volume 2 Melissa on Instagram Everyday Living with Intention Facebook Group More from Melissa --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/todayichoose/support