headaches – We Only Get One Chance

SPRING is HERE!!!

SPRING is HERE!!! How Are You Really Doing With Your Health?

Let’s not sugarcoat this…

We’re a few months into the year now. January had a version of you that was clear, motivated, and ready to do things differently. You had goals, intentions, and a picture of what taking better care of yourself would look like. And now it’s April.

So let me ask you—honestly… how are you actually doing with that? Not the “I’ve been meaning to” answer or the “work’s been crazy” version. The real answer. Because your health always reflects what you’ve been prioritizing—not what you want to prioritize, but what you actually have been. That’s not judgment, that’s awareness and the small, boring, plain, not showy, disciplined habits are where the real magic happens.

There’s something about this time of year that feels like a natural reset. The sun sticks around a little longer, the air feels different, and everything starts waking back up again. And whether you’ve been dialed in or completely off track, spring has this quiet way of asking, “Are you ready to start again—but for real this time?” Not from guilt or pressure, but from ownership. Your body has been with you through all of it—the long days, the stress, the skipped routines, the moments you pushed through instead of slowing down—and it’s been keeping score in ways you can feel, even if you haven’t stopped to acknowledge it yet.

Maybe your energy isn’t where you want it to be. Maybe your body feels tighter, more tense, or just off. Maybe you keep telling yourself you’ll get back into a routine, but it hasn’t quite happened. That’s not failure, but it is a pattern. And patterns don’t shift because we think about changing. They shift when we decide to move differently, make a different plan and begin to show up differently for yourself.

So pause for a second. If you zoom forward a few months, what do you actually want your health to feel like? Not what sounds nice or what you think you should want—but what you truly want your day-to-day to feel like in your body. More energy when you wake up? Less tension at the end of the day? Better sleep? More freedom to move and live without discomfort? If that version of you already existed, how would they be showing up right now? Because that’s the shift. Not someday—now.

And here’s the part most people overlook. Taking care of your health isn’t just about trying harder or doing more. It’s not just workouts or eating better or being more disciplined. Your body actually has to be able to function well. Your nervous system, your movement, how your body handles stress—IT ALL MATTERS!!! You can’t outwork a body that’s not supported.

That’s where we come in. Chiropractic care isn’t just about fixing pain when it shows up. It’s about helping your body move better, adapt better, and function the way it’s designed to so you can actually feel good doing your life. And if you’ve been trying to manage everything on your own, this might be the moment you stop doing that.

So here’s your invitation. You can keep putting your health on the back burner and hope it sorts itself out, or you can decide that this is the season you do things differently. That you check in, take action, and actually support your body instead of pushing through it. If you’re ready for that, we’re here to help. Let’s get you moving, feeling, and functioning better—starting now. Because April isn’t just another month. It’s your reset. I am going to leave our phone number here so that you can CALL US and take action now!! (810)629-6023 www.cafeoflifefenton.com

SPRING is HERE!!! It is time…we only get one chance

FENTON ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Dr Erica Peabody

FENTON ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Erica Peabody

This week, we are catching up with a Tiger who took a journey across the country—only to bring her talents right back to the heart of our community! Meet Dr. Erica Peabody, Class of 1995.

Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan Dr Erica Peabody - Fenton High School Alumni

From FHS to Dr. Peabody

Erica’s path to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic was a true adventure, taking her from Michigan State to Boise State and the University of Alaska, before she earned her Doctorate in South Carolina.

Today, Erica is a local business owner, running her chiropractic office out of an iconic historical building right in the center of downtown Fenton!

Breadsticks & Small-Town Vibes

Growing up in Fenton left a lasting impression on Erica. She fondly remembers the “small-town feel” that remains today. One of her most relatable memories? Grabbing a bag of Fenton House breadsticks as a perfectly acceptable dinner before heading off to sports practice!

A Multi-Sport Tiger

If there was a season, Erica was likely on the field (or the slopes, or the trails!). Her time at FHS was packed with:

Varsity Soccer (all 4 years!)

Equestrian Team

Volleyball

Ski Team

She also admits that while “Typing Class” seemed silly at the time, she realized later just how much FHS prepped her to be a great student and a connected member of the community.

Mentors & Science

Erica shares a wonderful memory of Mr. Jackson, her Chemistry and Physics teacher. She can still hear him saying, “Miss Peabody, Dow Chemical needs people like you.” His big-hearted and entertaining teaching style made learning fun and impactful!

Erica’s Advice for the Road Ahead:

“It’s impossible to know exactly what the road ahead looks like—keep moving forward, keep taking steps and the road will unfold beautifully along the way.”

Let’s show Dr. Peabody some Fenton love!

Do you remember seeing her on the soccer field or the equestrian trails? Or maybe you’ve visited her beautiful downtown office? Share your memories in the comments!

Twenty-One Years – Still Loving It!

Twenty-one years.

If you had told me when I first started that I would still feel excited to walk into the office two decades later, I’m not sure I would have believed you. Not because I didn’t love the profession—but because I didn’t yet understand what a long relationship with your work actually looks like. I remember calling my Mom one day after my second year in to talk about “adulting” and “is this what you do as an adult? You get up, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, eat dinner to go to sleep and start all over again?”

Now I do understand. And the truth is: I still enjoy it. Deeply.

That surprises some people. In a world where burnout gets talked about more than purpose, staying passionate about something for 21 years can sound unusual. But the longer I do this work, the more I realize the joy doesn’t come from the novelty of it.

It comes from the meaning of it and my response to my Mom was “At least I get to spend that time helping people.”

The Early Years

When I first started in practice, everything was new.
Every patient felt like a big moment. Every success felt huge. Every challenge felt personal.

Just constantly learning; about my craft, about people, about myself.

Those early years are fueled by adrenaline and determination; figuring out systems, finding a rhythm, learning what works and what doesn’t. There are long days and more than a few moments where I wondered if you’re doing it right and doing it well.

But those years build the foundation for everything and teach resilience. They teach patience, steadfastness, tenacity and endurance. And most importantly—they teach you that this work is about helping the people.

Somewhere Along the Way

At some point, something shifts. The work becomes less about performance and more about service and impact. You understand your process. You trust your experience. You know how to help people in ways that only come from years of doing it.

There’s a quiet confidence that replaces the feelings of the early years. And that’s when the work becomes even more fulfilling. Because you’re not just practicing anymore—you’re guiding, supporting, and witnessing people’s progress in ways that younger versions of myself as a doctor couldn’t fully appreciate yet.

The Real Reward

After 21 years, the greatest reward isn’t the longevity, it’s the relationships. It’s the patient who has been coming in for years and now brings their kids.
It’s seeing someone who came in struggling walk out stronger and healthier.
It’s the conversations, the trust, the small wins that add up to real change in someone’s life. It is the moments of joy and also sitting in deep grief as life moves around all of us.

Those moments never get old and they remind me why I chose this path in the first place.

What Keeps It Fresh

People sometimes ask how I stay motivated after so many years. The answer is simple: no two days are the same and it is the very best part! Every person who walks through the door brings a different story, a different challenge, a different opportunity to help. That variety keeps the work alive and I am always learning.

And honestly, after 21 years, I’m still learning; about the body, about people and about how to do this work better every year. The moment I think I’ve mastered everything is the moment I stop growing and if you know anything about me by this point, you know I never want that.

Perspective Changes Everything

Experience also brings perspective. I’ve learned not to stress over the small things the way you used to. I’ve learned that tough days happen and that they pass and that consistency matters more than perfection.

Over and above all of that, I have learned to appreciate the privilege of doing work that matters. This is not just a job and not just a career. It’s a chance, every single day, to improve someone’s quality of life in a meaningful way. Not everyone gets to say that about their career and it is something that makes me look ahead with excitement and optimism.

21 Years Later

So here I am, 21 years in. Still grateful. Still curious. Still enjoying the work. That doesn’t mean every day is perfect. No career works like that. But the bigger picture which is the impact, the relationships and the purpose, makes it worth showing up every morning.

And if the last 21 years have taught me anything, it’s this: When you build a career around helping people, the work never really gets old. It just gets more meaningful.

And honestly… I’m excited to see what the next chapter brings.

COFFEE TALK – JANUARY 2026

Your Healthiest Year Yet: A Coffee Talk Recap…and an Invitation

There’s something special that happens when good people, great coffee, and real conversations about health come together—an not to mention FUN!!!

On Thursday, we did our first Coffee Talk: Your Healthiest Year Yet and it was exactly that—easy, energizing, and full of curiosity. Sitting around coffee with me and Rachel Peabody, a wellness nurse I adore collaborating with, we spent an hour talking all things REAL-LIFE HEALTH: how the body works, how to support it, and how small, intentional choices add up to big results.

The vibe?
Casual. Fun. Curious. Zero pressure. Great coffee. Actionable steps.
This is not a “let’s-kick-this-New-Year-and-resolutions-into-high-gear” kind of talk. it was the kind of space where no question feels silly and everyone leaves a little more empowered, with 3 steps that they could take and one on their radar for January.

What We Talked About (in plain English)

We dove into some foundational wellness topics that matter to every body:

Immune function – how your body is designed to protect you every single day and the orchestration of the immune system.
Vitamin C – more than just an “I’m sick” supplement, it is a supplement that should be taken daily as proactive protection to the immune function of the body.
Vitamin D – why it’s so critical, especially in modern life, it’s role in the immune system, and no matter where in the country you live, that you should be taking it year-round, not just in this gray Michigan season.
Magnesium – the unsung hero behind 300 reactions in the body, and just how critical that particular supplement is to take for health, healing and longevity.
Vitamin Injections and Infusions – Their role in keeping the body working optimally, how they are administered, how long they take and how long they last.
Chiropractic care – and its role in helping your nervous system support healing, balance, and resilience

No lectures. No overwhelm. Just expert conversation translated into everyday understanding.

The Best Part? The People.

We had a fantastic group—engaged, thoughtful, and full of great questions. These were people we had already known, and also some brand new faces! There was laughter, lightbulb moments, and even a super fun drawing at the beginning just for showing up because learning should be fun!

What I loved most was watching people connect the dots between:

What their body is doing
Why it might be struggling
And how they can start supporting it—right now to make it the HEALTHIEST YEAR YET!

That’s where real wellness begins.

Why We’re Doing This Again

Because health shouldn’t feel intimidating.
Because wellness works better in community.
And because 2026 deserves to be different.

If you’ve been thinking:

“I want more energy.”
“I want to feel stronger and more resilient.”
“I want to understand my body instead of fighting it.”

This is for you.

Join Us for the Next Coffee Talk ☕

📅 Thursday, February 12
⏰ 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Bring a friend. Grab a coffee. Come curious.

Whether you’re just beginning your wellness journey or looking to level it up, these conversations are designed to meet you where you are—and help you take the next step.

Let’s make 2026 YOUR healthiest year yet—together.

I can’t wait to see you on the adjusting table this month and again for a COFFEE TALK next month! Mark your calendars and reach out to us to save your seat! (810)629-6023

DECEMBER TO REMEMBER

I think I speak for everyone when I say that it seems like we just started 2025 and here we are at the end. I wanted to challenge you to make it a December to Remember.

What do I even mean by that?

Many people are in a waiting period to get the New Year started before they focus on their health. I don’t mean that you are all neglecting yourselves completely, but what I do mean is that many are waiting for January 1st to make some big and powerful changes.

Let’s reconsider this idea and here is why…

Once December starts, we realize that by taking a closer look at our calendar for the month, we oftentimes realize that the entire month is filled to the brim with festivities, fun and family…sometime it is willfully aligned with the obligations and sometimes it is just simply out of obligation.

Soooooo….this also often means that our selfcare and our commitment to ourselves ends up on the backburner waiting to refocus once we hit the New Year.

BUT…once January 1st rolls around, we are sometimes so deep into eating tasty, AND INFLAMMATORY, foods. We have had a little too much alcohol, sugar and other processed foods. We haven’t prioritized hitting the gym, taking walks, yoga, meditation and other things that help improve our health.

We become stagnant and, I don’t know about you, but it can be VERY DIFFICULT to get the ship turned around and heading in the right direction.

We can hit January 1st and have to make MAJOR SHIFTS, or we can really make it a December to Remember and make some simple daily moves now that gets is some serious momentum heading into 2026!

Simple moves can be as simple as this: Drink extra water, walk 20 minute minimum per day, do 15 minutes of stairs inside of your own home, take 5 minutes daily for meditation and stillness, get your workouts put right into your weekly schedule, grab some simple hand weights and start doing some reps, jump rope, clean up your plate by adding a lot more greens and good quality protein, split desert with your partner…so many simple small things- I am SURE you could easily name 10 more.

I urge you to start today or at least by tomorrow. Commit to your health and share some of those healthy activities with your spouse, children, other family members and friends to allow this to be a great MOMENUM-BUILDING December to Remember.

You will be happy once January 1st rolls around and you have already set things in motion. I am simply putting this message out so that awareness is on it and maybe 2026 can get started off on the right foot!

If you have some ideas about what things you can change and want to share below, I encourage you to do so! I want to see and hear your ideas!

We get one chance in this life and what if you considered making this month truly a December to Remember!!!

BIG BLUE – 7 YEARS

We Bought a Big Blue Building… and Turned It Into a Thriving Center for Well-Being 7 Years ago!

On June 14, 2018, we took a leap of faith and purchased this BIG BLUE BEAUTY right in the heart of our incredible downtown. It was bold. It was bright. And it had potential written all over it. Fast forward to today—and that building is now a vibrant Center for Well-Being, full of life, healing, and community energy. We are beyond proud to say that we’re thriving!

This space has become more than just a building. It’s a place where people come to feel better, move better, think more clearly, and reconnect with their health. What started as a dream has grown into a home for chiropractic care, wellness services, positive energy, and meaningful connections. And we’re just getting started!

To celebrate 7 amazing years in our downtown wellness hub, we’re throwing a party—and not just any party. It’s called “Orange You Glad You’re Here?” and it’s going to be as fun and funky as it sounds! Think vintage orange VW buses, fresh oranges, an orange-themed dress code, orange snacks, orange drinks, and enough photo ops to make your social media shine. We’ll also be hosting a trivia game, a fun scavenger hunt, and some exciting giveaways and specials!

What’s even more exciting? Other health and wellness tenants from our building will be joining in the fun too. It’s going to be a full-on community celebration of health, happiness, and the power of showing up for yourself, your family and others. Whether you’ve just driven by 1 million times, you are a longtime patient or new to the neighborhood, we want you here to share in a fun and joyful community celebration.

This celebration is more than just a party—it’s a thank-you to the community that believed in us, supported us, and grew with us. From day one, our goal has been to create a welcoming space where people feel seen, heard, and cared for. Every adjustment, conversation, and step forward we’ve shared with you has helped shape what this building stands for today. We couldn’t have done it without you—and honestly, we wouldn’t want to.

So orange you glad you’re here? We sure are. Join us in celebrating this milestone, our beautiful building, and the amazing community that continues to grow inside it. Here’s to health, connection, and many more years of thriving—together at BIG BLUE!!!

Mark your calendar: Saturday, June 14th 9a-11a

DOG MOM LIFE

I am not sure I have actually written much in this space about dog mom life.

It is truly the BEST LIFE!

Most of you already know that Louis came to me is a super roundabout way and I didn’t have any intention of having a dog in my life. I grew up with dogs and after having to rehome a dog a few years ago, I didn’t have time and space to have a dog in my life…or so I thought.

Obviously having Louis has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. We are all certain about that!

Just over 2 years ago, I began to follow a group up in Traverse City who breeds teeny tiny dogs. I was in communication with them asking what it is like with the teeny tiny dogs in the same home as big dogs. She graciously answered all of my questions back then though ultimately I decided not to pursue one of their dogs. I did, however, keep following them and their accounts on social media.

Last September, one of their dogs birthed just a single puppy. I don’t know much about dogs but I do know that dogs have litters, not single puppies. I was curious about this little one but more curious how he was born a singleton.

Fast forward to the first week in January and the breeder posted on Facebook that they needed to help a family rehome their little dog and that he just wasn’t fitting into their home well enough. It was on my heart to reach out to talk about this pup and maybe get a chance to meet him.

During that time, I had remembered that i tuned in when this pup was born as it was the singleton from September! Apparently when a mom is done having puppies, they spay them (obviously) but when they went to spay her, she was already and unknowingly pregnant. Her body was done having puppies and so she was unable to support a full litter and only one made it to their birthday.

I met Tater Tot, formally named Maddox and Nico, the first Friday of January, the family brought him to me so that he and Louis could meet.

It wasn’t an instant match, but it was a fun playmate that Louis took to right away. I knew that both Louis and I would need a bit of time to get used to the idea of having this 3 pound pipsqueak around AND I also knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do in that moment.

So this little one came home with us that day.

3AM in the morning, I woke up with so much anxiety…HOW ON EARTH IS THIS TEENY TINY 3 POUND BABY GOING TO SURVIVE THE STAIRS IN OUR HOUSE?1/!?!?!?!!!!!! My house has 4 full flights of wood stairs and there is just no way around it. In my mind, there was just no way that he would be able to manage going up and down that many stairs when he was smaller than the stair itself!

I wrote to the breeder and also the family to let them know that I made a horrible mistake! I am still not sure that either of them appreciated a 3AM email but sharing this concern was the only way I was going to be able to go back to sleep!

I awoke to an email from the breeder assuring me that all their little ones eventually learn to work with all the stairs in all the homes that they live in.

Little did I know that the big guy would also be teaching the little one so many things, including going up the stairs within just a couple days. Louis would go up to the top of the steps and wait for Tate to do the same. He would sit at the landing wagging his tail and of course I was there being his cheerleader too.

He mastered going up the stairs in 2.5 days and another couple days, he mastered going down too.

For those reading this who live in Michigan, you may remember the weather through those winter months. To be honest, it was very difficult to bundle up 7 times each day to take this little one out. I also knew that when I took him home on that Friday that I was signing up for that for the season no matter what was happening. I also had faith that the commitment to that this year would be tough but wouldn’t be every year.

The biggest concern of all was being a single mom to two dogs. What was I even thinking? Would I be able to make that happen? Would I be able to manage two dogs? Would it be overwhelming to have eight little legs and feet running around the house? Will I have enough time and energy for both of them? Will they figure out how to eat next to each other?

YES TO ALL OF IT and SO MUCH MORE!!!

Having the little one has brought new life and fun into Lou’s world, as well as, Lou teaching Tate so much about life and living and listening (well we are still working on that last part).

They aren’t the very best of friends just yet but day by day they are growing and evolving together. I also take them on adventures together, and very different kinds of adventures separately.

So the question that everyone has asked, “WHEN IS TATE COMING INTO THE OFFICE???”

That is NOT our plan. Although you would all love him so much, the office would be more of a dog party than a chiropractic office. And more importantly, he want to be in the mix of it all and he easily become a trip hazard for me…and also for all of YOU!!! There are just too many moving parts inside of our days to make that happen. For a long while anyway. We will see once he is maybe a couple years old to see what kind of temperament he evolves into.

If you are still reading this, THANK YOU!!! It has been wordy however both of their stories deserve to be shared as this DOG MOM LIFE is the VERY BEST LIFE EVER!!!!

DOWNTIME

It is so critical to our well-being to take some downtime.

This past week has been just that for me. We only close the office 2 weeks out of the year and we choose to focus one of the weeks around the Fourth of July. Everyone is heading in so many different directions with vacation plans that it is simple for us to take the downtime too.

But is it simple? Do you have an easy time relaxing? Do you take moments to breathe? Do you schedule your own downtime?

For me, it is not easy. What I have discovered over the 18+ years in private practice is that it is just simpler to stay open and keep going rather than mark off downtime.

I actually find that I do a whole lot better with regular scheduled days filled with routine. It takes a lot of mental fortitude to just allow myself to sit still.

Last summer, I decided for the first time to just stay home and have a “staycation” instead of trying to get out of town. I live just 4 miles from the office and knowing things are building up around there is hard not to go in and try to keep up with it all. Running a business like we do, people often think that it is just patient care that is the work to do. If you had any idea what happens behind the scenes, you would soon realize that patient care is about 60% of what goes on.

Patient care is something to set aside for a week just for my mental health and to give my body and mind a rest for the week. The rest of the work is the part that haunts me as I try to sit home and sit still. And if I admit to the truth of it all, it has been really hard to let it all go.

When I am out of town, it is easier because I am not just 4 miles from all the work. Next year I will probably go into debates about how to spend this week because of the internal battle I have faced this past week…and this is just me being honest as to really how it all feels.

In saying all that, I am excited to get back to work, get back to helping people and begin the catch-up game that will go on for at least 2 weeks.

I have spent the week with the dogs and my family. I have enjoyed a ton of time outside and gotten a lot of good sunshine. I have had time to break bread with friends, catch up with a few online tasks, take a TON of yoga classes (www.discoverthespace.com), walk the dags and float around in the lake. It has been glorious.

I know for a fact that I could continue on and not take downtime, however, when I do, I am able to return more refreshed and ready to take on the second half of the year. I am a person dedicated to and driven by progress. As long as life has progress happening daily, my soul is happy.

What I am now realizing is that downtime is still making progress. Live and learn…see you tomorrow!

BE MINDFUL

I am hoping that you are connected with us over Facebook, but if not, HERE IS THE LINK to go straight there. You can also look me up individually and follow that way. I have been doing some live shares over facebook as I drive and think and the last one was a warning to BE MINDFUL!!!

…and here is why that came up.

Last Wednesday I was in my practice and a woman came in that had been under care in the past but had to take some time off to heal from a fall where she fractured a vertebra in her neck. She was carrying a box down a set of stairs and stepped off the side in a bad way and hit the back of her neck on a steel handrail resulting in a fracture. She has healed well and is ready to get back under regular chiropractic care (some of you may be curious at this point that I can even adjust someone with this kind of injury. I want to remind you that I have a lot of tools in my bag of chiropractic techniques that allows me to work with and around all kinds of injuries as each person’s care is tailored for each individual and their needs).

I see a lot of people with injuries which probably goes without saying. Some of the stories make my stomach churn as the phrase that follows is always “WOW! That could have been way worse!!”

The next patient that same day was up north and cleaning up the kitchen and tripped over the dishwasher door that was out of her line of sight. This resulted in yet another conversation that went “Wow! That could have been a whole lot worse!” The final one that day was a slip and fall while getting into the car and sliding right underneath the vehicle…which “Could have been a whole lot worse!”

Our lives are super busy these days. I have to be honest, I am trying to do too much at once, carry too much at once and my brain is filled with all kinds of running thoughts also!!! I am in that same club however when I get to see these kinds of injuries, I take note of the theme. The running theme of all of these injuries…trying to do too much at the same time. Me too!! Me too.

Be mindful. Easier said than done often. What I notice for myself is that if I can slow down my mind to focus on the task at hand, I am so much safer, healthier and happier.

Being mindful wouldn’t necessarily have prevented these injuries however, we can’t know for sure, it may have. It is always hard to say at the time and easier to reflect backwards to see situations retrospectively.

I was getting ready the very next day and listing to a podcast or making a video for a friend AND curling my hair at the same time. Without looking down at my curling iron, I didn’t realize that it had spun around and was facing the other direction. When I reached down and thought I was grabbing the handle, I was actually grabbing the hot barrel, resulting in burning the pads of my thumb and two fingers.

When that happened, my first thought was how easily that would have been avoided by simply being present, looking up and then looking back down. I am notorious for trying to do too many things at once. As I navigate through my days, I notice just how many things I drop and realize that is a strong indication that I am not fully paying attention.

Look around in your life. Where do you find yourself trying to do too many things at once? Have you stumbled as you were trying to do something else? How many different directions do you think the mind can handle going in and still pay attention?

Be mindful.

Being mindful is much easier said than done however I am hoping by just having this brief read and reminder, it is more in the forefront of your mind as you navigate through your days.

I am not minimizing any of the things I mentioned before nor am I saying that they for sure could have been avoided. I just wanted to share this theme of the week so that you can be mindful too.

DARKNESS

It has been an interesting year of darkness to say the least. <—-truly an understatement in many ways.

A couple weeks ago I traveled to Colorado to visit some friends. It happened to be Halloween weekend and a friend of a friend was having a “Dia De Los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) housewarming party.

Traveling with a carry-on bag, I was limited to what I could pack considering I was there a three day weekend and needed to pack light. A skeleton onsie it is!!! …and it was perfect for a Day of the Dead party.

As I look back on previous Halloween celebrations, I have a very clear pattern of being light and happy in my costume choices, many different versions of hippies, nerd costumes or animals…all in the light.

The only addition to my costume I needed once I got there was makeup. I had googled “skeleton makeup” pictures and tried to follow along. It turned out pretty good if I don’t say so myself.

Of course 5’10” in a skeleton onsie, adding heels and hair I was at least 6’3″ and a bit of a sight!

The party was fun and everyone had put a lot of effort into their costumes which just raised the energy! I was surprised when a roller-derby couple rolled in off the sidewalks in roller skates – off those particular sidewalks THAT WAS COMMITMENT!!!

We had great food, a bit to drink and took a lot of pictures.

It was interesting to feel like me but look so, so different in the mirror and so I posted some pictures on social media, and many others thought the same.

Some comments on the posts and many more messages behind the scenes were of the tone “Wow! I have never seen you look like that before!” ‘I’ve never seen that side of you!”

One of the things that has happened is our culture has taught us that to have a good life, things always need to be good. We need to find the light in all situations and to “always look for the silver lining”.

All of this is great and wonderful but life is both; moments of lightness balanced by moments of darkness. That is just how it goes. One of the biggest challenges we face today is that life has become very comfortable…until it became very uncomfortable about 20 months ago.

When we look out at the lives of the people we are connected with over social media, we get the “highlight reel”. Of course we do! Why would anyone put their moments of darkness on social media? We wouldn’t. But the game of comparison we all play with those connections can lead us to stop believing in ourselves if our life doesn’t look like that.

A super near and dear friend used to do a weekly Facebook Live share called “Best Day Ever”. The irony of it was that she would sit with a cup of tea with the phrase “Best Day Ever” written on it. She was also in her beautiful office in a wonderful area of the country. BUT she never preached “Brightest Day Ever” or “Good Vibes Only” or “Stay in the Light”. She would share how LIFE IS BALANCE. It is the light and the dark, the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly…and our expectations that it should be any other way is what creates the suffering. Truly the Best Day Ever is when we can accept and embrace all of it.

It is an ebb and flow, an expansion followed by a contraction, highs and lows.

So let’s stop pretending to be any other way…and I am also talking to myself here.

When I post up a simple picture of me dressed as a skeleton, I realize even how polarizing of an imagine I have put out as well!

We are both light and dark, life is filled with moments of lightness and moments of darkness, and it is ok. It is supposed to be that way.

When we really look around, and especially in the seemingly crazy world we find ourselves in right now, it feels like a whole lot of darkness. It feels polarized, divided, disorganized, unpredictable, inconsistent and actually scary at times.

Is it because we were so comfortable for so long? Is it because we had it so good for so long? Has there been too much flow and not enough ebb?

Gosh it is so incredibly hard to say and absolutely no way to predict exactly what is ahead for all of us.

I have to share a little life hack that may or may not be helpful for you, but it helps me tremendously:

Breathe into the resistance.

“What does that even mean, Peabody? It is not that simple.”

I agree. Sort of.

I would say that it is not EASY but it can be SIMPLE.

When you feel your insides bind up, alarms go off and you go into high alert, stop and take a moment to see if you can breathe into the resistance you are putting up to what is in front of you.

Then realize that you have survived 100% of all the bad days so far, you will get through this too. There is a great quote that goes something like “If this is not going to matter 5 years from now, do not give it even 5 minutes now”.

Life is always going to be both, light and dark, that is how the Universe stays in balance. I was a little taken aback by the response to this simple Halloween costume but the darkness that I appeared to embody that day is something that I will be looking closer at in my own life.

Are you noticing lightness and darkness in your life? If you get a chance, share with me what you do when you see that resistance come up for you. Let’s make the most of this life…we only get one chance.