Two weeks after my second son began Nursery school at the age of 3, his teacher asked to speak with me when came to pick him up. She looked a little concerned as she asked “Does he speak?”. I laughed and responded “Yes, but not unless he has something to say.” I’ve been in that place myself for the last few months. I have been very inwardly focused and a friend even called to ask if I was OK because…
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s in the midst of the women’s liberation movement. Being a strong, independent woman meant I could do whatever a man could: change my own flat tire, support myself financially, be the CEO of my own business, paint my walls… I could “do it myself”. I remember feeling such pride when a male friend told me one day “Helen, you’re a better man than most men I know!”. (I cringe now when I…
I was listening to a program about epigenetics last week (epigenetics is the study of how genes express). It’s a fairly new field of scientific investigation and discovery with the potential for revolutionizing the field of health. What scientists are now discovering is that we don’t have to live the consequences of the gene pool that we inherited, unlike what they previously thought. This is really exciting! Just because you have a genetic predisposition for heart disease, or diabetes, or…
It’s a warm evening. I feel grateful for the gentle breeze as I stand in the throng of bodies awaiting the start of the race. The sky is a mix of pink, orange and yellow hues against the backdrop of the huge water feature atop the hotel. It’s true. Everything is more magical at Disney. The buzz of excited chatter grows quiet as the announcer gives final instructions: Set an intention for the race. Who are you running/ walking for?…
What is self care? It is caring for yourself deeply and deliberately. It is taking care of yourself by making choices and decisions that honor and reflect the true nature of your soul. It’s about recognizing – and meeting – your own needs. It’s about being conscious and conscientious in speaking your truth and making choices from a place of love and compassion instead of guilt and obligation. Unfortunately, It is not a concept that has been modeled very well,…
Last week I got the devastating news that a dear friend and past-client of mine had committed suicide. My initial reaction was one of anger and denial: “They better investigate this as a homicide because she would NEVER take her own life!”. The person I thought I knew so well was gregarious, joyful, outgoing and outspoken. Although she was divorced, she had an amazing support structure and loving relationships with family and friends. Her business was booming. She had 2…
I recently read Gay Hendricks book, The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level I was inspired. There have been certain books that have moved me deeply in my life and this certainly qualifies as one of them. (For a list of other books I recommend check out my home page: https://helenmacmillan.com/) Hendricks talks…
I “suffered” with bouts of depression for most of my teenage years and on and off through my 20’s, 30’s and early 40’s. What I now understand is that my depression was simply anger turned inward. I happened to be angry for all kinds of reasons: because I didn’t get the attention I wanted; I was made to do things I really didn’t want to and made to feel quite powerless; I was told how I “should” be, or that how…
What would you attempt to be, do or have if you knew that you were guaranteed to be successful? And who decides what success is anyway? I’ve been thinking about how many times in my life I have allowed fear (False Evidence Appearing Real)…
Today is my Mothers 82nd birthday! I feel truly blessed to still have her around. I am even more grateful for the roads we have travelled to get here today! We read the same books, enjoy talking about life, spirituality and health. It wasn’t always this way… At one point we lived in the same house and hardly spoke to each other for about a year… I thought she was controlling and manipulative, she thought I was heading down…
