BRICK
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JUNE 2022
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Reflecting On and Refining Your Purpose The Space to Create Parenting with Purpose ROCK Your Inspiration
SHELL PHELPS
LIVING A LIFE OF PURPOSE
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BRICK
THE
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MAGAZINE
JUNE 2022
Publisher
•
Sarah Whitsett
Managing Editor
•
Marji Wisniewski
Art Director
•
Jennifer Knutson
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•
Angelina Bielby
Cover Photographer
•
Betsy's Photography
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Crystal Abitz
Cara Cummings
Allie Milus
Tiffany Birch
Katie Devlin
Eva Soloman
Monica Brancheau
Elaine Economou
Marji Wisniewski
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4 | The Brick Magazine
CONTENTS 6
Letter from the Editor
7
Reflecting On and Refining Your Purpose
8
Finding Heart: A Journey to Purpose
10
Shell Phelps: Living a Life of Purpose
16
The Space to Create
18
This Is the Summer to Run to the Finish Line
20
Choosing a Design Professional
22
Mindful Movement: Creating Routines for Well-Being
26
Parenting with Purpose
28
ROCK Your Inspiration
A
s I’ve grown older, I’ve been thinking more and more about my purpose in this world. What I've come to understand is that there are two things that fulfill me: helping others and cultivating a grateful mindset. I find that when I choose to see the good and be the good, I feel a greater sense of achievement and satisfaction. Our contributors this month have tackled the word “purpose” in their own words and have articulated what that means at their current stage in life. One new contributor, Cara Cummings, wrote about being drawn into her art through the meaning it brings her (page 16). Monica Brancheau wrote a parentingfocused article on page 26 that touches on the importance of purposefully and meaningfully caring for yourself while raising a family. Crystal Albitz, who currently has younger children at home, wrote about the way that purpose is dynamic and can change as the needs of your family and home life evolve (page 7). Our cover story (page 10) with Shell Phelps explores a lifelong quest to live a life full of purpose, and to not take a single day (or anyone around her) for granted.
A Letter from the
EDITOR follow along on instagram: @thebrickmagazine find us on Facebook: The Brick Magazine Ann Arbor 6 | The Brick Magazine
All of these stories acknowledge that our purpose in life changes as we learn and grow. For many of us, the purpose we had in 2019 is not the same one we have today — and that’s okay. And for those reading this who feel they don’t currently have a purpose, I’ve been there too; I promise that you’ll find it or it will find you when you’re ready to receive it. Until then, enjoy the journey.
Marji Wisniewski, Managing Editor
Reflecting On and Refining Your Purpose by Crystal Abitz, MA
W
e all have an innate ability to inspire and influence others around us. Our purpose changes over the course of our lives as we learn, grow, and experience life. When we focus on finding our purpose, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or distracted. Sometimes we struggle to identify it and we begin feeling hopeless or insecure. Other times, we think we know it, but our life circumstances prevent us from accomplishing it. For example, I feel a great sense of pride in leading other coaches and professionals. However, my life circumstances prevent me from fully engaging in the activities that allow me to fulfill this sense of purpose. My husband is activeduty in the United States Marine Corps and works absurd hours, including a lot of travel time. We have decided that it’s best for our family for me to stay home full-time with our two toddlers. I’m also nearly finished with a PhD program and spend any moment of available time working on my dissertation. Due to my current situation, I don’t have the time, energy, or other resources to fully participate in a life aligned with my purpose of influencing and inspiring other leaders. I could put up a strong-willed fight to make use of every minute of my day and find ways to feel satisfied in my desired purpose. Or, better yet, I could reflect on and refine it. In this phase of life, I have come to realize that my purpose lies in nurturing and caring for our family, especially our little children. Right now, I need to be the best mommy, mentor, and teacher possible. Instead of forcing myself to find ways to excel as a great leader of leaders, I choose to modify my personal and professional expectations to meet our family’s situation. So often, we narrowly focus on finding and fulfilling our purpose. Maybe we need to shift our attention and energy to our core values. We gain a better understanding of what we’re meant to do in this phase of our dynamic lives when we reflect on what we cherish most. After identifying that, we can then align our priorities and daily habits with our
values. Allowing a natural integration of values, priorities, and habits facilitates a life of synergy and meaning. Directing our energy this way allows us to live more freely without feeling as burned out or exhausted. When we focus on our core values, we are more likely to prioritize behaviors, interactions, and thoughts that fuel our fire and take us closer to accomplishing our greater purpose. What’s your purpose? Maybe you already know it, or maybe you’re on the path to discovering it. Have you allowed your purpose to change as your life’s circumstances have changed over time? Or are you forcing yourself to fulfill the requirements of society for a purpose that no longer serves you? I challenge you to ask yourself these questions and reflect on your current situation. Does your perceived purpose add to your quality of your life or deplete it? Are you living a life aligned with your core values? After adjusting to your circumstances and evaluating your desires, I then invite you to live with purpose, on purpose, and for a purpose. Gain control of your life and your legacy, and live in synergy with what matters to you and what you bring to the world. Crystal is a devoted wife and mommy to a couple of fun, nature-loving kiddos. She has a master’s degree in kinesiology and sport and exercise psychology and a bachelor’s in elementary education, as well as a massage therapy license and strength and conditioning certification through the NSCA. She veered away from the strenuous competitive sport scene and now focuses her attention on experiences, interactions, and more natural movements that bring alignment and joy to her body and her life. Crystal’s main services include massage therapy, mindfulness training, and movement. Instagram: @legacywellnessmi Instagram: @abitz_crystal Facebook: @legacywellnessmi www.legacywellnessmi.com
June 2022 | 7
Finding Heart: A Journey to Purpose by Katie Devlin
n the day after Thanksgiving in 2018, Shirley Wickman, founder of the non-profit Heart for Life, received the call that changed the pulse of her family’s life. “I think we have a heart for your son,” the nurse said calmly.
O
cardiomyopathy — a rare heart condition where the chambers of your heart become stiff and thicken overtime. Rexford was given the gift of life and Shirley began her journey into advocacy, research, community — and, ultimately, purpose.
Shirley’s son, Rexford, had suffered a cardiac arrest three months prior and was diagnosed with restrictive
“After my family was affected by heart disease, I noticed as I was going through this journey that there wasn’t a lot
8 | The Brick Magazine
of support and research into having a long-term solution for heart transplantation,” Shirley explained. Rexford’s longevity and quality of life would probably mean two or three transplants due to rejection. “It’s not that these hearts aren’t working well, it’s because they’ve been through a lot. Rejection in the long-term is what causes the heart to fail.”
“Heart for Life could help anyone who gets any organ transplant. We’re all a community, no matter where you are.” FINDING FOCUS Shirley’s early research led her to the American Heart Association, where she discovered that most of the published research is focused on preventing heart transplants. Little research has been done to understand post-heart transplant rejection. “I really wanted to hone in on what specifically could change the course of their treatment. That’s when I decided I needed to go out on my own, I needed to make a difference. I needed to educate people.” Shifting her focus locally in Michigan, Shirley began to advocate for the prevention of heart transplant rejection with University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Shirley teamed up with Mott’s to promote research into the causes of transplant coronary artery diseases (TCAD). Some of the research currently underway includes exploration of the coronary arteries and finding medications that could possibly prevent long-term organ rejection.
BUILDING A COMMUNITY The community that Shirley has built was paved on personal connections to Rexford’s recovery. Rexford, known at Mott’s as a superhero for his bravery, wants to be a heart surgeon when he grows up. “What better way to go through the difficulty of having a heart transplant than to have a doctor who’s been through that?” she said. Starting in Michigan, with a long-term goal for international support, Heart for Life’s community extends beyond posttransplant support. “We also have a lot of support for heart families who are not at transplant, but are in a situation where they have a heart disease that will most likely lead to heart transplantation.” Extending even further, Shirley noted, “Heart for life could help anyone who gets any organ transplant. We’re all a community, no matter where you are.”
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COMING FROM THE HEART Like many not-for-profit founders, the drive to start Heart for Life transformed from a personal reason to making a real difference. “In 2023, what we want to do next is go into Phase 2 and start testing. We have about 40 kids right now who are going to be asked to be in our clinical study.” For Shirley, the combination of this research and other heart research projects that are focused on transplantation can increase organ longevity and help give a better quality of life for heart transplant recipients. To get involved, visit heartforlife.org and sign up for the Heart for Life 5k and One-Mile Fun Run on Sep 25th at Travis Pointe Country Club. All proceeds support pediatric heart transplant research. The event features a local business showcase, a chance to participate in a raffle for donated items, and local gourmet food trucks. Participants who register before August 15th are guaranteed a race shirt. Katie Devlin is an Ann Arbor native, a University of Michigan alumna, and has over 17 years of experience in marketing with a passion for healthcare. As the Healthcare Go-To Market Manager for Plante Moran, Katie understands the needs of patients, providers, and payers across the continuum of care and helps shape the future of healthcare in the United States.
June 2022 | 9
Photo by Betsy's Photography 10 | The Brick Magazine
Shell Phelps: Living a Life of Purpose by Marji Wisniewski
I
f you open up Shell Phelps’s book, The Big Bliss Blueprint, you will see the note below on the dedication page. You’ll realize that from the start, Shell is your biggest cheerleader, guiding you toward your own bliss in life, just the way she found hers:
“
If you’re picking up this book, you’re probably wondering who the dedication will be for. Well, this one is for you. Since you are seeing this book and reading this page, you dare to seek ways in which to improve your life. For that, I appreciate how hard it is to admit there is room for improvement, but proud you are ready for change. I’m dedicating this book to those in search of the potential of living a better life and wanting to find your happiness. Cheers to the start of creating your own big bliss!
LIVING INVISIBLY
“
Growing up, I lived with my strong single mom. After divorcing my father, she became a registered nurse. I was only five when my parents divorced, so I don’t really remember them being together. I just knew that I would sometimes go visit my dad.
he took me in. It was a game-changer for me. My mom was the type of parent who wanted me to be more independent and figure things out on my own. My dad, on the other hand, stepped in and made sure I was doing what I should be doing, like getting up on time and going to school. Their contrasting parenting styles collided and shaped me into who I am now.
In high school, I moved around a lot and attended three different schools before graduation. It was hard because I never had many friends, just a few close connections. I always felt like I was fading into the background, invisible in a way. I would just assimilate with my surroundings, never aspiring to accomplish much.
After graduation, I was ready to get out in the “real world” to do, and be, whatever I wanted. I moved in with a friend in Royal Oak to take the city by storm. We had big plans to make something of ourselves. But life took a different turn. A few months later, I found out I was pregnant, and everything changed.
When I was sixteen, my mom didn’t like the life choices I was making — specifically my choice in boyfriend at the time — so she asked me to leave. I had not spoken to my dad for three years, but I looked him up in a phone book, called him, and asked if I could move in with him. No questions asked,
I became more invisible than ever before. For most of my pregnancy, I kept it secret. Not even my family, friends, or co-workers knew. I didn’t go to the doctor once. I was living in pure denial. I relied on the power of ‘80s fashion to hide my growing belly under big sweaters and leggings. I only
June 2022 | 11
8 WAYS TO LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE DAILY 1.
Practice love and kindness.
2.
Position yourself to get your needs met.
3.
Keep investing in significant relationships.
4.
Enhance meaningful communications.
5.
Maintain focus on your top three goals.
6.
Practice clear and decisive decision-making.
7.
Take a daily dose of self-care.
8.
Be deliberate in your consumption of positive content and energy.
gained twelve pounds during the entire pregnancy because my car had died, and I had to walk everywhere. One night my friends had gone out. I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed home. I had suspicions of what was going on, but not having gone to a doctor yet, I reached back into the phonebook and made another call to the “Ask a Nurse” hotline. “What does labor feel like?” I asked, because I had no clue. I always kept $20 in my pocket for this type of emergency. I called a cab and when it finally showed up 45 minutes later, the cab driver asked, “Where would you like to go?” “I need to go to the emergency room; I think I’m having a baby,” I told him. He looked at me confused and said, “Like right now?” to which I replied urgently, “Yes, right now!”
Photo by Betsy's Photography
12 | The Brick Magazine
To this day, I still reflect on his kindness as he wheeled me into the hospital, scared, cold, and alone. I tried to give him the $20 for the fare, but he insisted that I keep it, saying that I needed it more than he did.
Photo by Betsy's Photography
Laying in a hospital bed, alone, and starring at this little girl in my arms, I decided I needed to tell someone about us. I was raised Catholic, and my mom, and especially my grandma, always made it clear they didn’t approve of women in our family having babies out of wedlock. But, without hesitation, I knew it was time to call my mom. The conversation went a bit like this: “Hey Mom, are you sitting down?” “No, should I be?” “Yeah, you probably should.” “Okay.” “Mom, I just had a baby.” “What? You just had a baby? I just saw you two months ago. Wait, I have another call coming through on call waiting.”
And that’s how my family welcomed my baby out of wedlock — with a sale at Macy’s. I was worried for nine months about them not accepting me, the baby, or our situation, and that wasn’t the case at all. I could’ve had their support from the beginning had I just been honest with them. I was one decision away from having something completely different in my life. Sadly, just five short weeks after the birth of my baby girl, Amanda, my boyfriend was killed in a car accident. He had promised to take care of us and be a family. But now he was gone. It became my daughter and I against the world. This drove me to take steps forward in life with the understanding that tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us. On this day, I promised myself I would live a life of purpose.
LIVING WITH PURPOSE
“Shell just had a baby.”
Fast forward to me marrying my first husband and having my second child, Xander. We also took in my then-husband’s nephew, Joe, and together we were raising three children. The marriage didn’t last.
“What? Great! Macy’s is having a sale on baby clothes – let’s go shopping!”
However, several years later, I married the man of my dreams. I finished my bachelor’s degree and got a job at a
My grandma was actually on the other line with my mom now.
June 2022 | 13
“Find out who you are, and then do it on purpose.”
– Dolly Parton
Photo by Betsy's Photography
homeless shelter in Flint. I started out doing finance and bookkeeping, but those who work in nonprofits know we wear many hats. They asked me to add human resources (HR) tasks to my other responsibilities. I love connecting with people and I’m organized, so I was happy to help out. During my time in the HR role, I decided I wanted to learn even more about people. I got my master’s in psychology and became a therapist. I was able to open my own private practice in Kalamazoo and run it for just over four years. One day, I looked at my son closely. He was very into art and theater and heading into his freshman year of high school. I just saw him so clearly all of a sudden and came to the realization that I had to find him a school that would enable him to thrive. My daughter was living in Ann Arbor, and I thought it would be a great place for him to connect with other like-minded people and reunite with his sister. Some were surprised that I would just close up my practice and move to Ann Arbor. But I’ve started over many times, and the move was what was best for my son and my family. So, we moved to Ann 14 | The Brick Magazine
Arbor. Xander joined a robotics team and his school’s theater production crew, where he helped stage many shows; this is now the passion he’s pursuing in his adult life. I’m so happy that I was able to “see” him for all that he is and could be, even though no one did that for me. Watching him rebound has been a transformative gift for me. When I landed in Ann Arbor, I returned to my career in HR. The position was new to the company, so I had a line of employees from the hall to my office door. They used to joke that I needed a ticket pull tab system like you’d find at the Secretary of State office. It was here, working through various issues with employees, that I started using colored sticky notes to jot down different support strategies. This came from my previous experience of being a solution-focused therapist. I started sorting the strategies into eight distinct categories. After about six months, I had amassed hundreds of these sticky notes. One day I asked my husband, Paul, how to organize it for other people to use. “Well, Shell, that’s a book,” he said. Paul is so supportive of my dreams. With Paul’s love and support, I was able to push myself to become more visible than ever before.
LIVING BLISSFULLY
LIVING INTENTIONALLY VISIBLE
I worked with a self-publishing group, Book Launchers, to guide me through the publishing process. We had a fun group brainstorming session where someone suggested “The Big Bliss Blueprint” for a title. My heart sang! I love the term “blueprint” because that’s what I’m trying to convey in the simplest of terms. And I immediately connected with the word “bliss” because I’m all about focusing on positive thinking and sifting out the negative.
My second book was a workbook I published on Amazon, Big Bliss Blueprint Workbook. I’m working on a third book about professional communication and how we talk at work. I use the acronym TALK to dive into concepts around the premise that “Talking Activates Leading Knowledge.” If we want to lead in our profession, we have to articulate and help people understand our message. Everyone has a different mode of hearing a message, and we need to understand the person we’re talking to and how they will best receive our message. Being a communication stylist, I ask readers the question, “How can we style our communication to fit the message and to be received well?”
We were preparing to launch the book in March of 2020 when the pandemic hit. The publishing company asked if I wanted to put my book launch on pause. I slept on it and woke up knowing this book was exactly what people needed in this moment. The book launch looked completely different from what was planned. It went from book signings and bookstore visits to Zoom, podcasting, and live streaming. I had to put myself out there and get on social media to selfpromote, forcing me to take risks and be vulnerable. But this is what I was teaching others to do, so how could I not do the same for myself? It didn’t take long for my book to find its footing. It was nominated at American Book Fest, and in October 2020 it won in the psychology and mental health category and was a finalist for the self-help motivational category. In May 2021, I was a finalist for the International Book Fest award in the same categories and won. The book also received a five-star review on Readers’ Favorite. But what was more important than the number of stars was one reviewer’s interpretation of the book. She just got it. I felt proud that I was able to take those colorful sticky notes and turn them into something meaningful, knowing it helped even just one person. This is my bliss! The review reads, in part:
Phelps gently guides the reader to deal with difficult emotions and develop more worthwhile responses. She gives practical steps that you can implement immediately and practice daily to help you get the most out of life. The book depicts life as a beautiful journey that we can all enjoy regardless of circumstances. After reading The Big Bliss Blueprint, I felt motivated and positive about my life and ready to take on the world…I became more forgiving of myself. —Jennie More
I have such a passion for connecting through communication! During a podcast interview, I was affectionately given the nickname Ms. Bliss. I was asked what keeps me blissful. The answer is listening to other people share their stories, journeys, and struggles, and how they overcome them. I love talking with strangers. I just got back from Vegas, and I was taking a lot of Lyft rides. On every ride I engaged in conversation with the drivers, who ended up being mostly women. They’d open up to me about their challenges and their passions. Hearing their stories inspired me and filled me with positivity. I guess my interest in talking to the Lyft drivers goes back to that scary night at age 19 when the cab driver showed me so much kindness. We all have stories that should be shared, and l love connecting with people in a meaningful way. If I were to give advice to someone who wants to put themselves out there, whether they’re drafting a book, starting a podcast, or whatever new journey they embark on, I’d say: Don’t worry about what other people are going to think. That was my biggest fear — the judgment. If you do what you love and love what you do, none of that matters. I can sleep well at night knowing that I helped at least one person. That’s enough for me.
With a passion for marketing that started as a young girl, Marji Wisniewski created her own marketing and communications organization in 2017. As owner of Blue Zebra Marketing Solutions, she helps local and regional businesses and nonprofits tell their story through branding, graphic design, content creation, and PR. She focuses on customized solutions for each client that are more unique than a zebra’s stripes. Marji is looking forward to her new role as Managing Editor of The Brick Magazine. Marji has a love for gardening, all things Lake Michigan, Pilates, her family, and dogs.
June 2022 | 15
Photo by Kari Paine
The Space to Create by Cara Cummings
B
eing here was not planned. In fact, looking back, I think I tried not to be here. But the thing is, it’s impossible — no matter how hard I may have tried to stick to the plan.
It’s impossible not to get up in the morning and make art, even if the making starts in my mind. It’s impossible not to teach people about the things I love, and to help them create for themselves. It’s impossible not to grow food and flowers and beauty, and to share it with my community. It’s impossible not to orbit an enticing galaxy of creativity and possibility —
16 | The Brick Magazine
one where it’s so easy to find inspiration on some days, and is frustratingly impossible to access on other days. Here, the space to create was the reward, the stolen time when I should have been doing something else. It was just for fun, or an escape. But the space kept getting bigger, and it worked its way into everything. I couldn’t contain it. Being here made no sense; it didn’t pay bills or invite praise. However, in those moments when I didn’t fight it, when I allowed myself to create and to share, I found myself floating in a place where things became clear.
"If I live my purpose, time will pass. If I do not, time will pass. So I choose yes." So eventually, I said yes. Yes to being here, yes to making this work, yes to whatever I might find on this path. I’m not sure if this is what purpose looks like, but I’m pretty sure this is what purpose feels like. I also know that even before, when I kept it quiet and small while I worked toward a sensible goal, it was growing stronger in anticipation of getting bigger. Sometimes I imagine what it could have looked like if I had understood and trusted that thing, that place that I fought so hard to keep small, sooner. But that’s not how this works. Moving forward and collecting experiences are what eventually sharpened my focus. The thing that was more important to understand was that time was going to pass whether I did something or not. And that means that there is no such thing as too late. If I live my purpose, time will pass. If I do not, time will pass. So I choose yes. I get up every day and I build, sometimes it feels amazing, sometimes it feels terrible. Yet, it always feels impossible not to do. I’m still not completely sure what purpose means to me. I think it’s fluid, that it changes as needs change. I don’t think it’s something that I can find, because it’s just there. It’s easy to see things that are louder, or brighter, or heavier. But the thing I do, the thing I could call purpose, does not disappear. The question is, do I give it attention? Cara Cummings is a fine artist, illustrator, surface designer, and educator from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her work is the synthesis of her background in biology, environmental policy, agriculture, food justice, and botanical art. Cara’s Garden is a place where she grows flowers and food and has created a beautiful space for friends and family. The garden -- and her connection to nature -- provide endless inspiration for her work creating botanically themed art and patterns in watercolor and oil. Photo by Kari Paine Instagram: @carasgarden Website: CarasGarden.com
June 2022 | 17
This Is the Summer to Run to the Finish Line
I
by Eva Solomon
’ll never forget a comment my longtime friend and running partner, Donna, made to me during an early June morning run. “I love being a runner because I feel like I’m such a part of summer.” While most of us notice the longer days, birds chirping, and changes in flora and fauna, a runner tends to feel “at one” with the seasons. In fact, a common remark I often hear at this time of year is “I wish I could run.” In addition to getting outdoors, people enjoy running for different reasons. Some do it to stay in shape, others do it to relieve stress, and others integrate it into their social lives. Regardless of the reason, running is an attainable form of exercise for most people.
18 | The Brick Magazine
It’s not nearly as difficult to convince folks why to run as it is to convince them that they can run. Of course, it’s always important to get checked out by your doctor before starting any new physical fitness plan, but once you get the thumbs up and stick to a plan, you’ll be able to run or run/walk a 5K or perhaps a half-marathon. The first thing you need to do is set a goal. You can either choose a day that you will run your goal distance or you can sign up for a race. Yes, a race. I know that sounds intense and competitive, but really, it’s not. For most, the focus of a race is completion, not competition, and the camaraderie you feel is second to none. The Probility Ann
Arbor Marathon is Sunday, October 2nd, and offers a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon all within the city of Ann Arbor. When your goal is set, plan a schedule where you can devote 30 minutes per day, three to five days per week to your training. Don’t sabotage yourself by choosing a time that is not realistic. If the button you hit in the morning is more likely to be your snooze than your running watch, plan to train later. If you know that at the end of the day you’ll be so tied up with family responsibilities that your running shoes will never get tied, then plan your training during the morning or daytime hours. “Plan” is the operative word. Put it in your calendar. One of the great things about running is the minimal amount of gear required. You will need two things: good running shoes and a watch. I recommend shoes designed specifically for running as opposed to gym shoes. They will reduce your risk of injury and they just feel so nice! You will want the shoe to fit snugly yet comfortably in your heel and midfoot with plenty of room for your toes. Running shoes are best purchased at a specialty running store such as Ann Arbor Running Company, where they can recommend models
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5K RACE DAY!
Congratulations on training for your first 5K race! This schedule Is designed using time rather than mileage. Just put on your running shoes, take a watch, and go! This schedule will get you to the finish line! If you plan to walk your race, you should add 50% onto the suggested time. Happy training! www.epicraces.com
FIRST-TIMER HALF MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE 1
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TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
30
CROSS TRAIN
30
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SUN 40
2
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30
CROSS TRAIN
30
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50
3
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CROSS TRAIN
40
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50
4
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40
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5
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50
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50
Run short and easy
CROSS TRAIN
5K Race
6
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50
CROSS TRAIN
50
REST
CROSS TRAIN
70
7
REST
55
CROSS TRAIN
55
Run short and easy
CROSS TRAIN
80
8
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55
CROSS TRAIN
55
Run short and easy
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10K Race
9
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60
CROSS TRAIN
60
Run short and easy
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90 100
10
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60
CROSS TRAIN
60
Run short and easy
CROSS TRAIN
11
REST
60
CROSS TRAIN
60
Run short and easy
CROSS TRAIN
80
45
Run short and easy
REST
Half-Marathon Race Day!!
12
REST
45
CROSS TRAIN
Congratulations on training for your first half-marathon! This schedule Is designed using time rather than mileage. Just put on your running shoes, take a watch, and go! This schedule will get you to the finish line! If you plan to walk your race, you should add 50% onto the suggested time. Happy training! www.epicraces.com
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FIRST-TIMER 5K TRAINING SCHEDULE WEEK
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based on your stature and foot structure as opposed to purchasing online. Once you have your shoes, begin with a run/walk plan. Do not pay any attention to the mileage. You will use your watch to guide your workout. Over time, you will begin to cover more ground in the same amount of time. During most of the training, you will walk or “jog” at a pace that still allows you to talk. Yes, it will be challenging at first, and you will feel out of breath, but it will become easier as your training progresses. By race day, it will feel natural and you will cross that finish line and feel like a champion. Whether your goal is to complete a 5K or a half-marathon, you can get to the finish line if you follow a plan. See the two simple plans provided with this article designed just for that purpose. You can find the digital versions as well as more information about the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon and other endurance races at www.epicraces.com. Now get out there and be a part of summer! Eva Solomon is the founder and CEO of Epic Races, the endurance event company that produces races in and around the Ann Arbor area such as The Probility Ann Arbor Marathon, Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K, Ann Arbor Goddess Run, and Tri Goddess Triathlon. She is the only Level 2 USA Triathlon race director in the state of Michigan.
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Choosing a Design Professional by Tiffany Birch
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hen entertaining the idea of hiring a design professional, there are several variables to consider before jumping in with both feet. Depending on your outlook, the idea of building a new home or renovating an existing one can be both overwhelming and exciting. That’s why choosing the right professional for your project is not a decision to be made lightly.
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Word of mouth and personal referrals continue to be a mainstay in the world of interior design. If a trusted friend or neighbor happens to have worked with a design professional and you admire their work, then by all means, start by asking the nitty-gritty questions that you might otherwise be too embarrassed to ask the designer yourself. One thing of utmost importance is asking about what kind of “chemistry,” if any, existed while working with this individual.
In my opinion, a good designer should be collaborative with clients, thereby creating an undeniable synergy throughout the project. That being said, it’s also the designer’s job to assist in making money-based decisions anchored in their years of experience in the field. Again, it’s best for both parties to be transparent in regards to the budget in order to gauge overall expectations. Discussing money can be both threatening and uncomfortable, but it’s a necessary evil that will ensure a successful project outcome. Start with a realistic budget and then move onto the business of finding a suitable professional who can get you there. Using the internet to research design professionals in your area (or relatively nearby) would be the next step. Go to those individuals’ websites and critique their work. Be honest with yourself while browsing and ask yourself if you could picture yourself living in the kinds of spaces they’ve created. Hopefully the answer is yes, and you feel both inspired and excited to reach out for a consultation. Most designers will start with a phone interview once contact has been made via email or telephone. You can expect a litany of questions regarding the scope of the project, what the anticipated timeline is, and how you found your way to this individual. The cost of design services may come up and will be addressed in detail in just a bit. The goal of this initial contact is just to see what kind of “vibe” occurs, and the decision can be made to schedule a design consultation or “walk-through” in the near future. Designer’s rates are based on many variables, including years of experience, the location of where the design firm is based, and their business model. Hourly rates can vary as much as $150/hour all the way up to $425/hour in larger cities like Chicago, for example. The designer who chooses to bill hourly is more likely to be easily accessible and collaborative, because they know with certainty that their time will be compensated whenever extra meetings are scheduled. Photo by Annie Spratt
A designer who prefers a “flat fee” often prefers a more streamlined business approach and will require a retainer down, and collect the remaining balance upon completion of the project. These designers may lose money on indecisive clients, but they don’t have the hassle of tracking hours, and they offer clients the peace of mind knowing a number upfront that they can plug into their budgets. Ask about their billing method so you can plan accordingly and decide if it’s a fit for how you want to spend. Additionally, most designers charge a markup fee on goods they have ordered on your behalf, but some extend part or all of their designer discounts as well. Again, it’s best to discuss this upfront. As in all business dealings, a professional designer will provide you with a design proposal listing out what services they will provide, in addition to the fee arrangement. This is a contract that you will be asked to sign, and it’s binding for both parties. Although it may seem extravagant to include a design professional or architect in your project, it can often save you money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes. I have seen far too many outlets placed in implausible locations just because the electrician or builder was following code, disregarding where art or furnishings may be placed in the future. I have also seen my share of doors illogically placed where clients have to open and close one door before they can physically enter another room due to poor planning. It is the designer or architect’s job to spot these mistakes before they’re implemented and result in costly repairs. So now that you have made a budget, gotten referrals, done your online research, and hired a professional that you believe has your best interest, the fun can begin! I always remind my clients that the design process should be fun. It comes down to trust in the end — trust that you’ve hired the right person, and more importantly, trusting your gut when it comes to deciding how you want your home to not only look, but feel.
Tiffany Birch has been an interior designer since 2002, and specializes in both residential and commercial projects. She holds a Master of Social Work degree (ACSW) and utilizes interpersonal relationship skills on a daily basis with her client base, largely comprised of Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit residents. She enjoys residing in the city and the comforts of home. When she’s not fully immersed in client projects, you can find her on the golf course, a favorite pastime. www.birchdesignassociates.com Instagram: @birchdesignassociates
June 2022 | 21
Mindful Movement: Creating Routines for Well-Being by Elaine Economou
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onfession: I am a movement nerd. I’ve spent decades thinking about physical movement and how to help more people incorporate it into their daily lives in positive, productive ways. Whether I’m teaching a Pilates class, helping people combat the cumulative effects of sitting at a computer all day, or working on my own GYROTONIC® practice, my focus is always on moving purposefully and mindfully. But what the heck does that mean? What does mindfulness look like when we connect it to physical activity, and why should we care?
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A Friendly Conversation Between Mind and Body Last year, I read a great article by Elizabeth Yuko that outlines why mindfulness is so often misunderstood and how she learned to use it to alleviate her own stress and anxiety. Yuko highlights the fact that mindfulness, as it’s explained by psychologists, is about observing your thoughts and feelings in an objective way. It’s not about zoning out and clearing your mind to calm yourself, but rather it’s a way of using your senses to notice the things around you, which in turn helps calm your mind and body. This idea of “noticing” and understanding why it matters is critical to mindfulness and creating successful movement habits. Noticing the internal sensations within our own bodies is called interoception. On a basic level, it’s how our bodies and brains speak to one another. It’s how we know when we’re tired, hungry or thirsty, or when we need to pee. However, learning to listen to our bodies’ messages can also help us develop healthy movement and exercise habits, reduce stress, and improve our overall well-being. So many people I’ve worked with over the years believe that starting healthy exercise and movement routines means
finding the time, purchasing the right equipment, and/or getting the motivation to start. But I think the first and most challenging step is practicing mindfulness so that you can better connect how you feel to how you move.
Noticing Which Activities Make Us Feel Better Take a moment to think about the types of activities that you enjoy and find yourself purposefully seeking out. Maybe it’s getting up early in the morning when it’s still cold and a little dark to walk your dog. Perhaps it’s packing up your
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laptop and going to your favorite coffee shop to work for the afternoon. Or maybe it’s cooking a big meal in the evening for your family. For me, it’s heading out for a walk in the woods behind my house with my dogs. Now, think about why you enjoy those things and how you feel. Maybe early in the morning is when the sound of the birds is the loudest for you (or the sound of traffic the quietest) and feeling the cold on your face or legs makes your skin tingle and wakes you up. Is your favorite coffee shop your favorite because of how it smells, sounds, or appears inside? Does that collection of physical stimuli reenergize you and make you feel ready to work for another couple of hours? Does cooking in your kitchen (the feel of different ingredients in your hands, the smell of spices or herbs, the heat from a warm stove or oven) change how you feel physically and mentally?
Creating Mindful Movement Routines to Improve Well-Being Noticing how you feel when you engage in different activities is the key to starting and sustaining healthy physical movement routines, too. But here’s the key: Learning to notice how we feel takes practice. Yes, really. The more often we do something, the more thoughtfully and deeply we’re able to engage in it. It’s just like exercising a muscle. The first time you try to do squats, for example, you might be so completely focused on trying to learn the correct form that you can’t even begin to think about what your muscles are doing or how they should feel. But the more you do it, the easier it is to start noticing what it should feel like. 24 | The Brick Magazine
The same thing happens in our Pilates classes at MOVE Wellness. When someone is new to Pilates, just learning to notice how their body and breath feel when the lumbar spine moves from a neutral to flexed position and back again takes practice. The more we practice noticing, the easier it is to be mindful of what we’re doing, how we feel when we’re doing it, and what to do next to build on that positive movement. As we do this, our awareness increases and works to counteract any tension or stress. Here are a few simple tips for learning to move more mindfully:
Move more. (Thank you, Captain Obvious!) Ok, so when I
say move more, what I’m really talking about is intentionally incorporating physical movement opportunities into your day. Set an alarm on your phone for certain times of the day that signal it’s time to get up and go out for a 30-minute walk. If you don’t have 30 minutes, go for 10 or 15. Even getting up from your computer once every hour to take a couple laps around your apartment or yard can become an essential wellbeing routine. If you’re injured or unable to walk, schedule regular opportunities to sit somewhere, breathe deeply, and gently stretch your limbs and mobilize your joints. Try midday or hourly shoulder, wrist, and ankle circles.
Move in a way that you enjoy. I will continue to shout this mantra from the highest mountain tops. If you want to make physical movement a part of your routine, you need to find a way of moving that you enjoy enough to do regularly. And start small. If you’re a walker or jogger, try walking or jogging once or twice a day for even just 10 or 15 minutes. If you love doing yard work or gardening, schedule time each day to move that way. If you can’t stand the idea of
lifting weights or going to the gym, but love kicking a soccer ball around or dancing with friends, do that regularly. Don’t think “workout.” Think movement. If you’re going to learn to notice how you feel when moving, it has to be routine and it has to be enjoyable.
Move with your breath. Practicing breathing can feel silly and unproductive if you’ve never done it before. But learning to notice how our breath moves through our bodies is the easiest way to practice mindful movement when we’re new to it. Focusing our attention on breathing slows everything else down, which does wonders for reducing physical tension and racing thoughts that produce anxiety. (Ever told a friend or child to “slow down and take a breath” before? What we really mean is “Take a breath so you can slow down.”)
Find regular times during the day to sit upright (either on a chair or stool with feet flat on the floor OR on a mat or cushion with your legs positioned however is most comfortable for you). Then, with eyes closed or just softly gazing down, calmly breathe in for two or three counts, and then gently exhale out for five or six counts. And don’t worry about the counts! Whatever feels natural is what you should do. Try to gently extend your exhales. Let your mind notice how your lower back, belly, ribs, and shoulders move and feel on the inhale. Notice how they change on the exhale. Pay attention to where your body meets gravity. Your feet, your seat, or whatever is touching the chair or floor helps ground you and bring your awareness into your body. Noticing our breathing in this way accomplishes two critical self-regulatory activities in our bodies: 1) It stimulates the
vagus nerve, which helps regulate our autonomic nervous system and ultimately our stress levels, and 2) it encourages the organic function of our musculoskeletal anatomy, including our deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.
Trust the process. Mindful movement takes practice and is something you will get used to when you stick to it. As with anything new, the more you practice, the deeper the sensations and impact of your mindful movement will be. Trust that process and remember that being mindful can be simply noticing how you feel without passing judgment on yourself or your feelings.
Whether it’s a stressful deadline at work, the chaos of family schedules, or other emotional and physical demands in life, I encourage you to give mindful movement a try. Just a few minutes a day will make a big difference! As co-founder of MOVE Wellness®, Elaine Economou helps people move with ease, strength, and joy. Her passion is empowering people to understand their unique bodies and build strength to support their unique life. Elaine has created Movement Essentials: Getting Started with Pilates to help people move well and live a life they love — wherever and whenever. www.movewellness.com
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Parenting with Purpose by Monica Brancheau
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he word “purpose” is thrown around a lot nowadays. Living life with purpose, eating with purpose, a job that has purpose, and parenting with purpose — it’s all cerebrally inspiring and makes for shareable Instagram posts. Yet, how does one parent with purpose when on most days, we’re just trying to survive?
children to live their best lives and become productive members of society. This could be a foundational launching point, but in order for parenting to succeed the parents themselves need to be living their best lives. Without a solid foundation, it will be challenging to have a seed sprout into a healthy plant.
Purpose is defined as both “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists” and “a person’s sense of resolve or determination.” In the most sublime definition, the purpose of parenting is to raise
How does one have a solid foundation when you yourself feel fragile? Throughout the years of raising my kids not only did I have regular parenting challenges, but also single mom challenges, ex-husband challenges, court challenges,
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and teen mental health challenges. What I know to be true through all of those journeys is that I had to stay strong (by any means necessary) to be able to give strength to my kids. Moms, sometimes, you have to choose you! Stop looking at social media and listening to other moms on the sidelines of soccer games as a comparison gauge. No one is living in your shoes and your life. So guess what? Skip a soccer game for yoga class, get a hotel room for the night for just you, see a therapist, take a girl’s trip, and love on yourself. Not just one time, but regularly. Recruit grandparents, aunts, and friends to be a part of your village so you fill up on these fueling moments. Create a tribe of friends who you can be real with — not pretend, going-to-parties-together friends, but real friends. The kind that don’t stop calling you when you tell them your teen is suffering from depression. The kind that don’t judge you because your child’s not in a travel sport. The kind that you can talk to about the nitty gritty, messy, real-life parenting struggles, someone you can have authentic conversations with and not just list a resume of your child’s accomplishments. Build this tribe so you can safely vent, scream, and cry about anything and everything. Values are the core of any solid home, and how you live them matters. Do you preach hard work but then refuse to get a job? Do you preach honesty but then lie to your
children? Do you preach kindness but then gossip about the neighbors? Do you preach having confidence but then complain that your clothes are tight and that you feel fat? Do you scream at a referee because your child got a penalty but then become upset with your child for starting a fight? It’s unfair and unjust to hold our children to a different set of values and rules that we ourselves cannot live. I’m sure there are many parenting books out there that will give you a step-by-step guide on how to parent with purpose. With my parenting guide book days behind me, and after living through four kids (with the youngest now being 18), I have developed my own definition of parenting with purpose. It should be about creating a safe and loving space for your child to thrive and learn to love themselves. Monica Brancheau is a mom of four who has had multiple careers. She’s a Michigan native and graduate of the University of Michigan who then never left Ann Arbor. She has decades of experience working with children’s issues, from education to non-profit work in teaching in urban settings and nonprofit management, marketing, and fundraising. All of this work has led her to becoming the Director of Strategic Partnerships of the ChadTough Foundation. When not working, you can find her gardening, reading, writing, listening to music, and spending time with her treasured family.
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June 2022 | 27
ROCK Your Inspiration by Allie Milus
Photo by Christian Holzinger
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G
rowing up in northern New Jersey meant summer vacations “down the Shore” or on the beaches of Nantucket Sound and Cape Cod. It meant saltwater, jellyfish, crabs, riptides, undertows, crushing waves, a surplus of seaweed, and a surplus of people. It was never quite my thing. I was never really comfortable there. My nickname was “Chicken of the Sea.” That pretty much says it all. Fast forward a few decades to a family of my own, a relocation to Michigan, and a new vacation destination: Lake Michigan. My life was about to change, full stop! I could not have been more in awe of the incredible jeweltoned rocks that adorned the shoreline. When you get a little closer and look along the water's edge, it’s a jaw-dropping “rock show” extraordinaire — an endless inventory of glorious sculptured color inspiration. These gorgeous rocks are the gems of Lake Michigan. These jewels in the sand are the real deal — “Michigan-made” of the highest quality, organically manufactured by Mother Nature herself. We got to share a beach with these beauties each summer. The inventory and the selections were endless, the colors mesmerizing and energizing. When I surveyed the incredible rocks of all shapes and sizes, I felt like I was shopping at a highend jewelry store. If I was Wilma Flintstone, it actually would be jewelry shopping! I felt like saying “Hey Betty, let’s go, we got some shopping to yabba-dabba-DO — but don't tell Fred!”
The Rocks Are Calling, and I Must Go Now I can’t stop myself from perusing this pieces of nature’s art every time I visit Lake Michigan. It’s the thrill of the hunt! Not knowing what I will discover fills me with anticipation. At first, I tried clearing my mind of any preconceived favorite colors. By doing this, I thought I could get out of my own way and let serendipity do its thing. The problem was that every color I saw became my favorite color! They spoke to me all over the place. They made my heart beat faster, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. I decided to heed their call and start collecting. My goals were simple: 1) to be inspired by these incredible nuggets of nature, 2) to have the discipline to be selective about what I took home, and 3) to not herniate a disc in my back in pursuit of bending, lifting, and hauling my new treasures.
Rock Hunting for the Whole Family Now, going on a rock hunt is something all of us enjoy doing on our vacations. It gave us a new fun activity at the beach. It’s a healthy and creative way to spend quality time with everyone. And at the end of the day, we dump our buckets to see everyone’s stash — a hard day’s work of hunting, exploring, connecting — and then comes the rock trading. “I’ll give you two Petoskey stones if you give me that earthy turquoise rock plus the vibrant magenta one!” June 2022 | 29
Rocks in Your Home You don’t have to leave all of your color inspirations behind! These beautiful rocks can also make great accessories for your coffee table, bookcase, office, or anywhere in your home. Here are a few ideas: •
Make a rock base for succulents
•
Display rocks of a similar color in a clear container
•
Use a bigger rock to stand alone as a paperweight or just a fun memento. Bonus if you can find one with a unique pattern, or even a fossil!
Each rock can be its own story. Tell people how you found it — or if it found you!
Reflection on the Rocks A Natural Color Matching App Eventually, all of this got me thinking. Not only are colors the first thing you notice on the beach, but they’re also the first thing you notice when you enter a room. Many people have a hard time visualizing a color that they love in nature as a potential paint color — or perhaps they never even consider that as an option. That's the purpose of the color matching apps, right? To help you visualize any color in your photos as a potential paint sample and create a new color palette (they’re not 100% accurate, but close enough to get you started in the right direction). I realized that any color outside can be a color inside — and a color that you can “see” on your walls before you even lift a paint brush. And what would make a better natural paint chip than a rock? You can create a color palette for an entire house from all of the color variations in just one rock. The next time you need to choose a paint color or color palette, try to experiment with rocks and other natural objects. Mother Nature's color palette is the ultimate ColorDeck. Go outside and be inspired — it's everywhere. When using rocks as color inspiration, keep in mind that you get two color palettes/saturation levels with every rock — the dry version and the wet version. When rocks are dry, their colors are less-saturated and more neutral. These are essentially the “pastel” versions. But when rocks are wet, they display deeper and more robust hues and a vibrant saturation level.
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We’ve been going to Lake Michigan for about 14 years now and I have not stopped talking about those rocks, the color connections, and my enthusiasm for the thrill of the hunt that we look forward to each year. My two little granddaughters are already eager rock-hunters-in-training! My childhood East Coast beach vacations pale in comparison to Lake Michigan’s colorful bounty. I definitely found my “beach match” here in Michigan. I’m not “Chicken of the Sea” anymore. Allie Fileti Milus is an award-winning professional real estate stager, certified Color Consultant, and the owner/founder of BLOOM That ROOM. Whether staging to sell or ‘stayging’ to stay, Allie has the honor of helping clients add value to their property. She moonlights as a lifelong daydreamer extraordinaire and a think-outside-the-box-er. Allie cherishes those moments where she gets to experience what’s really important in life through the perspective and wonderment of her two beautiful little granddaughters.
“it has to be more than pretty; it must be livable” R E F L E C T YO U R L I F E ST Y L E . www.birchdesignassociates.com R E S I D E N T I A L • COM M E RC I A L
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