TRUE BALANCE

True balance is one of the hardest things for humans to acquire because of where we chose to put our focus.   We tend to become more focused on balance as what we want things to feel like rather than embracing what it is in the moment.  An evaluation of which we may be more focused on can be done by looking at which of the two kinds of emotional pain and discomfort is  present in our lives (necessary pain or unnecessary pain). Necessary emotional pain and discomfort is what generates growth and emotional coping skills.  Unnecessary emotional pain and discomfort is created by our fears and expectations and is where we allow ourselves to draw our personal value from.  We fear emotional discomfort because we often perceive it as a sign of weakness, that we are bad or that there is something “wrong” with us or the other who is causing it.  With this energy we assume we are out of balance.  The reality may simply be that this emotional discomfort is what we need to help us progress and grow to become balanced.   True balance is obtained when we learn to stop avoiding issues and problems that are necessary in our lives.  It is not achieved by eliminating all emotional discomfort.  Embracing our humanity and accepting our short comings, while doing our best to eliminate unnecessary emotional pain, will prove itself to bring true balance.   

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

NEW LOOK, FEEL and CONTENT of TURNINGLEAF BLOGS

One of the main questions I get over and over is how do I increase the value within myself?  The answer is very simple, it’s the ability to invest in one’s self and to find ways to continue to change the way we see ourselves.  Many times in our lives we reach out to find answers when we are struggling.  But we fail to maintain that nurturing spirit when times are good.  Just like the physical body the emotional and mental body needs continual nutrition.  We are continually bombarded daily with information that is both helpful and toxic.  We have the ability to digest healthy information and material. 

For this purpose TurningLeaf has now turned to our blogs as a source of continual nutrition on an emotional and developmental level.  The information contained come from professionals in the fields of personal development, emotional growth, parenting, addiction and mental health.  We hope our blogs become a source of insight and information and you will continue to refer to them.  We are grateful for insight, input or requests for information in the source of feedback along with questions we can address in future posts. This is about you and the needs of your personal development. Visit our "Contact Us" page to send your questions and feedback.

Aside from mine, TurningLeaf hosts 4 other main blogs which can be found on our website or in the right hand column of this or any other TurningLeaf Blog.  They include; TurningLeaf Wellness Center (All Areas of Wellness), Richard Y Moody, Ph.D. (Mental Health), Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC (Substance Abuse) and Jamie Lightner, Life Coach (Parenting).  Each blog will now have a new post at least weekly with information pertaining to its area of expertise. These posts will link to TurningLeaf’s Facebook Fan page in addition to each individual’s fan page.

It’s not about change, It’s about growth! Watch for future posts and use this tool to keep moving forward!

Dean N Nixon

Seminar Director, Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT OTHERS TELL YOU?

In order to free our minds we must remove our ancestral definitions. The beliefs of others cloud our minds and we become lackadaisical and complacent in our own understanding of what is true. As children we need our parents hands to guide our steps, their mouths to form our words, yet our thoughts remain our own. It is our perception and discernment coupled with meditation and constant prayer that leads to our truth. Ignore those who claim they know the only true way. If there is truly only one way, how can the path accommodate us both. Our path is personal in nature, we must find it through our darkness. Our choices create a path that is as a finger print, unique to our needs and lessons. We believe what we know to be true. I ask, do we know or believe what others tell us is true?

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

YOU CAN NOT FAIL

We at times will be required to risk and stretch to prove the growth we have achieved. Just as a butterfly will flap its newly emerging wings, we to must test what we have learned. The fear of failure casts an ominous shadow, it can block out the light of truth, bringing lies and insecurities, blinding us from answers. A simple change of focus will give us strength to risk. When we can see that there is truly no failure, only the results of our choices, we remove the fear from movement. I challenge you to risk today, as you do look for results, then feel the courage grow within you.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

LEARNING TO FOCUS

The distraction of others actions is an attempt to satisfy our own emotional discomfort. This lack of focus on our own issues creates a dependency on the external world, creating a dissatisfaction with the life we have. Learning to focus on our own feeling and controlling our thoughts gives us peace and freedom.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

PATIENCE

To often we do not place full value on the simple growth we achieve. Just as a bucket can be filled by a dripping faucet, our growth can be slow but consistent. It is important that we do not underestimate the power of patience.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

THE GOLDEN RULE

I was told by my mother many time as a child to live "The Golden Rule." She would say, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." I have since wondered as I listen to people talk about themselves if that is such a good idea. Too many times I hear derogatory statements and self defeating remarks made at times of frustration, even in times that seem to be ideal comments can be demeaning. I hear some say, "I never speak ill of myself," yet I can tell by the way they carry themselves that the words may not be said outward, but they are being said inward. I believe my Mother's council was sound, it's not about how we treat others, it's about how we treat ourselves that will make the most impact. Let's live "The Golden Rule" of "Treat yourself as well as you treat others."

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

NEW YEAR

As the new year begins and we ponder the next step we will take, thoughts of possibility and opportunities fill our minds.

It is important to remember to not live too far into the future, and to be kind when reviewing the past.

The moment we are in right now is the most powerful.
The choices we are making today will create the path we will find ourselves on tomorrow.

Our purpose today is to make the choices that will create the tomorrow we want.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

NEVER TEAR DOWN A MAN'S HOUSE...

My father said to me as I left home to serve my mission, "Son never tear down a mans house until you have built him a new one." The understanding of this statement has changed through the years. At first I understood it on a level that pertained to what I was doing in the mission field. As the years have passed my work has shown me how to apply this statement and to listen to what others understand and know before I speak to what I feel they need. I have learned to value each person as a source of truth and information, I don't have to be "right," just listen and fill in gaps as needed. It started as a quote from my Grandfather to my Father and has become a guide on my path in life.


Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

WHAT IS HOLDING US BACK???

The image that we show the world is in response to how we see the world. Have you ever noticed how insecure we feel as we interact with the world around us? Wondering what others think, guessing and assuming. Or perhaps so closed off that we don't even want to see the world and become bound up in our thoughts. Why do we fear those who are so much like us? Why do we shut out the ones that feel similar to the way we do? We are becoming less connected to the people around us and more connected to the stuff and images that feel safer. It is amazing to me to see what happens when a group of people walk into a room of strangers and walk out in three days feeling like family. The difference is dramatic, eyes brighter, smiles genuine, and a feeling of well being. Why the change? It comes from the abandonment of the image and a regaining of trust in self. When we can see and feel the value of who we are without the external cues and definitions, the world seems safer and we find true acceptance. Image is a reaction to the way we see the world, and the inability to see our true selves.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center