The Brick Magazine January 2019 by The Brick Magazine Ann Arbor

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JANUARY 2019

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RESET YOUR GUT DREAM THE NEXT YOU INTO BEING REFRESH YOUR PANTRY

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THE

BRICK MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2019

Publisher • Sarah Whitsett Assistant to the Publisher • Tanja MacKenzie

Art Director • Jennifer Knutson

Copy Editor • Angelina Bielby

CONTENTS

Marketing Director • Steve DeBruler

Online Creative • Bridget Baker

Cover Photographer • Heather Nash

Contributors >>

Bridget Baker Morella Devost Kristen Domingue Tiffany Edison

Jillian Fraioli Angela Harrison Sharon Lawlor

Marilyn Pellini Lisa Profera Stephanie Saline Maria Sylvester

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6 | The Brick Magazine

Chasing Passion When Passion Isn’t Meant to be Pursued

Birch Design Associates

Reset Your Gut

New Year, New Closet Resolutions

Renew Your Palate and Refresh Your Pantry

When Hope Whispers...

Restructuring My World

40 44

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Make A Big Leap: Shake Things Up and Find Out What Truly Matters

For Personal & Planetary Thriving Three Days that Changed My Life Woman on the Street Remaking Dream the Next You Into Being

AN HONEST, ARTFUL AND DOCUMENTARY APPROACH TO WEDDING, FAMILY AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN & BEYOND

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MAKE A BIG LEAP: Shake Things Up and Find Out What Truly Matters By Bridget Baker

8 | The Brick Magazine

Photo by Annie Sprat

he shiny promise of a new year brings with it the commitments to take action, hopes for a more prosperous year, and fantasies of breaking all of your habits and changing “all of the things.” We get a burst of energy, motivated by how-to and resolution articles, showing us that we can wipe the slate clean of the previous year and start fresh. Two days in, however, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed already. We take on too much change at once — we take these dramatic actions to exercise more, eat better, or drink less. Rather than making subtle shifts, we over-do our resolutions, which can cause friction in our environments, with our families, and in the workplace.

Slow and steady wins the race here, and habits are formed over time, not instantly. If your environment is not supportive of these new commitments you make to yourself, the resistance may be too strong to change your habits. Sometimes, it may take a bigger leap to create the space for change. Staying in our home, our town, or our job may make it more difficult to try on new habits, new looks, or imagine a new life for ourselves. It could be that a change as simple as a new haircut or trying out a new coffee shop is needed, but it may take something as bold as uprooting your entire life and moving to a new city…or even to choose to travel full-time.

January 2019 | 9

A few years ago, I was craving this kind of big change, and my husband and I began to reimagine our lives together. We had been living in Los Angeles for years, loving our life there, but longing for something new. I had been building an online business as a website designer and writer, intending on creating a life of location freedom so that I could travel and work from anywhere. The wanderlust was real, and I found myself looking at Pinterest boards of locations in National Parks, under stars, with more trees and less traffic. With a stepdaughter out of college, having flown from the nest, we had the freedom to build a life wherever we wanted. Nothing was holding us back but our imaginations. But, where to go next? Since we didn’t have that next destination that felt like home to us, we chose an option that had us living all over the country, wherever the road could take us. Now, if you asked me if I’d be living in a travel trailer at 43, I’d have said something like “That’s for retirees,” or “I’m a city girl and couldn’t possibly live in the country.” Well, three years later, I am proving that former version of myself wrong.

Photo by Julentto Photography

10 | The Brick Magazine

My husband wanted to take an adventure around the country, and we prepared to purchase a travel trailer to embark upon this journey. Even though he’s a skilled carpenter who could remodel a vintage trailer from the ground up, we chose to purchase a brandnew trailer for economic reasons and for safety. Our deadline was fast approaching, too. We were ready to hit the trail!

Photo by Alex Bertha

Though we had already pared down our lives and embraced minimal living long before we chose to live in a trailer, it took us about six months to shed our possessions. We knew we didn’t want to add to America’s growing storage unit rentals and preferred to sell things to friends, or even to give them away. It felt great to know that our physical items were specific to that place that we lived in Los Angeles, and had filled our apartment with joy, but that they had no place in our new life. The one thing we kept was our mattress, and we bought a trailer that allowed us to take that with us! Having lived in the trailer for almost three years now, we have been able to let go of even more that we brought with us on the road. There is no longer a need to keep something “just in case,” as it quite literally weighs us down, and traveling light is important when you are hauling a travel trailer. We have chosen to stay for about a month in each new place we travel to. This gives us time to root into a new place, to get a true feel of the culture, and to live like a local to see if it’s someplace we may want to move to in the future. The best thing about living this way is that if we don’t like it, we can always pick up and move! In the past three years we’ve lived in ten different states — in the desert, by rivers, and on the ocean.

Sometimes, I am surprised by places that I like to live in, especially when they involve living near a farm stand (uh, hello former city girl!). By shaking up our life, we have been able to reconnect with friends across the country we’ve lost touch with and reinvent our relationships with other friends. I’ve grown my business in new ways, and am working on projects that not only bring in income but that I am passionate about. Choosing to live small has left me feeling more expansive, more fulfilled, and more abundant than ever. My quality of life has improved, and so has my health and well-being. What’s one way, big or small, you can shake your life up this year? (If it’s to live as a digital nomad in a travel trailer, let me know. I’ve got your back on that one!) Find out more about our travels on the road and minimalism at our blog, https://travellightlife.com.

Bridget Baker web presence sherpa productivity hacker • digital nomad freelance blogger • minimalist adventurer • speaker • full-time RVer www.instagram.com/travellightlife/ Travellightlife.com

January 2019 | 11

Photo by Heather Nash 12 | The Brick Magazine

CHASING PASSION When Passion Isn’t Meant to Be Pursued by Kristen Domingue Photos by Heather Nash

Our favorite part of our interview with Yodit Mesfin Johnson was the revelation that following her passion was less of a chase and more of a gradual unfolding. Instead of the push of urgency, there was a gradual pull toward alignment that allowed her to do work she loves in a way that works for her. So if you’re not “there” yet, don’t worry. You may be on an earlier step of a similar path to the one Yodit took.

y work and my passion for service is largely influenced by my parents. They were activists and teachers and lawyers, so I guess it was in my genetic makeup. Justice is and always has been a core value of mine. My career and community service have largely been driven by a deeply-held desire for justice; I work with the pieces that are within my reach.

Acknowledging the pain and impact of inequity feels like a ministry to me. The goal is healing and reconciliation. People experiencing injustice are my tribe; the truth is that many of them look like me, grew up like me, experienced trauma like me. My work allows me to heal my own experiences of intolerance and trauma and to pay forward what I received and learned along the way.

Injustice feels like a fire I’m running towards rather than away from. When I see the effects of injustice, I feel compelled to do something about it. To act. To try to eradicate it. Advancing justice and liberation, especially with and for disadvantaged marginalized people and communities, is my calling.

It’s work, but it doesn’t feel like it so much. I get to do what I love for the people I love, and that makes it not seem like work. Whether I’m working with a nonprofit, or with the young people I mentor, or facilitating conversations about power, privilege, and racism, my ‘job’ is to maintain alignment between my purpose, my passion, and my core values. January 2019 | 13

How to Work and Which Work Matters: The Clarifying Magic of Becoming a Mom I’ve had two distinct professional paths: the one before I had children and the one after. I didn’t get married or have children until I was in my mid-thirties. In some ways, that was best for me. My twenties were spent working ‘jobs’ that didn’t necessarily bring me joy or line up with my purpose. They paid the bills (and financed my dreams!), so I won’t complain. My career at that time was a series of entrepreneurial and job mishaps. I was pretty disconnected from my purpose. By the time I had my first child, I’d had a chance to begin some emotional healing and dug deeper into my entrepreneurial aspirations. I was in the thick of a burgeoning consultancy and working with an economic development organization when I learned I was pregnant with my daughter. It wasn’t the most convenient time, but we were so excited for this new chapter.

Photo by Heather Nash

14 | The Brick Magazine

In 2006 our daughter was born. Sadly, she was premature and passed within a few hours of birth. We were devastated. Somehow, in the midst of our grief, I became fully aware that she’d been sent to me for the most important lesson I’ve ever learned: I am far more courageous and capable then I’d ever imagined. She was my ‘courage’ baby; she brought with her an experience of resilience and reclaiming my power. In her birth and transition, I learned that I could control the stories I attach to my life experiences; I don’t have to be defined by them. That experience taught me so much about myself and about my strength and conviction. Her story is important because she inspired a total

reset of my career. The seeds of my career as a speaker, facilitator, and social entrepreneur were cultivated in those short months with her and in the years since she died. My next big breakthrough came a few years later when our son was born. Greater clarity about my purpose and how I wanted to use my time on the earth became crystal-clear when I became his mom. My momma-bear instincts kicked in again, this time in full gear. The high-risk pregnancy forced me to be hyper-vigilant about balancing career and my wellness. I also decided when he was born — and this was a biggie — that I could still have it all, just not all at once. I learned and taught myself the importance of reclaiming my time. I found tools and technology that made it possible for me to be home with him and still get paid. I adjusted my work schedule to align with his. I never stopped working, but I became way more intentional about what work I would and would not do. My employer, Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW), allowed me the flexibility to work in ways that supported me as a mom. What they did for me a decade ago I try

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January 2019 | 15

to help them think about how to bring inclusive and responsive policies and procedures into their organizations. I guess the student becomes the teacher.

Chasing Passion Versus Allowing it to Unfold Organically There was no particular point when I ‘decided’ to follow my passion or professional path. Instead, there was a series of decisions I made that caused the alignment I have now. Those decisions included practicing envisioning what I want, creating abundance through imagination, getting mentors who could help me process what I needed, and frankly, rebuffing the fear that I had to succeed. That was a key lesson, acknowledging my fear of success. Now, running towards my “fire’’ is much more methodical and intentional. These days, a lot of my work outside of NEW is for my son. He and I actually work together at times. In honor of him and other beautiful children like him, I founded a program called Black Men Read (BMR). The program is a family literacy initiative that centers stories of Black folks — read by Black men — to audiences of diverse children. I founded this program because in his entire scholastic career (in Washtenaw County) and still to this day, my son hasn’t Photo by Heather Nash seen a Black man in a leadership role in his schools. In fact, in his entire school district, very hard to continue now in my role as Chief Operating there are only three Black principles and around the Officer. In that role, I have championed changes and same number of Black male teachers. BMR is a beautiful adaptations to our human resource policies that support opportunity to disrupt that for kids — and it blends my families and make it possible for moms and dads to work and family in beautiful ways. prioritize their children and earn a living.

Life Well-Lived

The flexibility I have at NEW has definitely contributed to my long tenure there. I am keenly aware of how fortunate I am to do what I love and still be able to pick my kid up from school or attend a field trip. I am incredibly privileged in that way, and when I’m working with other nonprofit leaders as a diversity and inclusion consultant, I’m trying 16 | The Brick Magazine

I am proud that I’m at a point where I can see my tests as my testimonies. I am proud of my ability to speak truth to power. I am proud of my resilience. I am proud of the little person I was chosen to be mom to. I am proud that I am a Black woman using my magic for good!

Like anyone, I have regrets. I regret the times I allowed fear to immobilize me. I regret the times I made myself small. I regret not standing up to sexual harassment in the workplace years ago. I’m sad that my marriage failed. But I also embrace all of these regrets because without those experiences, I most certainly would not be who I am today. Regret is about acknowledging that we’re fallible. And we are. So I try not to Photo by Heather Nash stay stuck in regret for long. These days I ask myself, What was the lesson to help me learn about myself? Never, ever, forget that you are worthy. Do not surrender your power to anyone or anything. Put your own oxygen mask on first. Stay humble. Speak your truth. Do not be silenced. Pursue joy relentlessly. Love radically. Build businesses that add value, the money will follow. Love yourself the way you want to be loved by others. Stay rooted and grounded in some spiritual practice. Value the wisdom of the elders.

We admire Yodit’s ability to listen to her life and the way its signals informed her work. So many of us spend life pushing against what’s happening in front of us. But what we uncovered with Yodit is the power of acknowledging how it is, and allowing the cocktail of life inform our steps.

Photo by Heather Nash

Kristen M. Domingue is a copywriter and content marketing consultant in the New York City area. When she’s not delivering on client projects, you can find her cooking up something gluten-free or in an internet rabbit hole on entrepreneurship or astrology.

January 2019 | 17

Photo by Austin Wehrwein

HOME DESIGN THAT FEELS LIKE YOU by Tiffany Edison, Principal Designer

18 | The Brick Magazine

n the new year, my phone starts to ring off the hook without fail. I have come to anticipate these calls — I relish them! The reason I am inundated with pleas for assistance is largely due to what my clients describe as the ‘lack of cheer’ in their homes once the holiday season comes to an end. A frequent grievance I hear goes something like “We realized after we took down the decorations how ‘blah’ and ‘drab’ our home actually is.” Please don’t get me wrong, I love to decorate for the holidays as much as the next gal, but when does my home actually feel like me, I asked myself? The answer is simple – all year round. And I’ll share with you the reason why: I don’t follow trends.

Photo by Lasse Moller

I know what I like. I know where my favorite spot is, and I know just what blanket to take there with me. I know which items in my home make me smile. I guess what I am trying to say is, I know me, and it’s a wonderful feeling. You can do the same, and the truth is you don’t need to be an interior designer to make it happen.

January 2019 | 19

Follow Your Instincts To get started, try this exercise: enter each room, making a slow and deliberate circle to take it all in. Let your eyes see every surface and wall and shelf. What pops out at you? Is the space comforting? Or jarring? Where does your eye go first?

Recognize How You Feel Are there beloved items that draw you in and 20 | The Brick Magazine

immediately flood you with memories or emotions? It could be a Kuba cloth from some time spent in Africa, or your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artwork lovingly framed on the dining room wall. If we surround ourselves with objects which hold meaning to us, we are comforted and content in our surroundings. Keep the items which bring you joy and make you feel good. Let those possessions be your guide while you design around them. Remove the items that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work in tandem. In essence, edit each room accordingly. Balance beauty and function

other, and most importantly, where each piece should ultimately rest. When my friend arrived, she pondered all that I had so diligently laid out for her — there was a lot of artwork! Dare I admit that my husband and I bought a full art collection before we purchased a sofa! I was obsessed with beautiful things, and art seemed to be a great investment. As far as I was concerned, we could eat Chinese takeout on the floor while admiring our beautiful collection — utilitarianism be damned! What came from this meeting was an organic exchange of ideas and the ultimate discovery that in addition to collecting art, I had in fact become a collector of primitive wooden objects as well! I was stunned that I hadn’t realized this, yet my friend had keenly picked up on it right away. She got right to work arranging the framed pieces by flanking the fireplace with them stacked one on top of the other. Following this, she did the most amazing thing and displayed my primitive art collection on the mantel. I was beaming with delight from this simple act. She had transformed my family room in an unexpected way to my sheer delight. To this day, I cannot explain my obsession with primitive wooden artifacts. And you know what? I don’t have to. It makes me happy. You, too, could have a collection right under your nose deserving of mantel space. Now, when I enter my client’s homes and they sheepishly ask me “Do you like this?” My answer remains “Do YOU?”

Photo by Alina Kovalchuk

from space to space. You will be amazed at how revitalizing this will be.

Showcase a Collection to Transform a Room Case in point: years ago, when I was newly married and moving into my first home, I hired a friend who had a successful framing business to come to our home to hang our recently-acquired art collection. I had arranged it on the family room floor and stood deliberating over what piece might complement the

Be genuine in this new year. Follow your designer instincts; recognize how you feel in each room, showcase a personal collection to make a statement, and celebrate the authentic you while transforming your home into your haven.

Tiffany Edison 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 has a wonderfully large blended family residing in the city and enjoying the comforts of home. When she’s not fully immersed in client projects, you can find her active on the golf course, a favorite pastime. www.birchdesignassociates.com January 2019 | 21

RESET YOUR GUT by Lisa Profera MD

22 | The Brick Magazine

he New Year is upon us, and you may be considering making a move toward better health. Many people are starting new diets or detoxing, joining gyms, or vowing to give up bad habits. As you know, by April over 50% of us fail to keep those resolutions. It might be time for something more definitive — time for a reset! Want a quick way to reboot your immune system and your digestive health? Consider colon hydrotherapy. Unlike the unpleasant “prep” for a colonoscopy, colon hydrotherapy is a safe and gentle way to clean out your large intestine, a.k.a. your colon. Perhaps you indulged in things over the holidays that you normally don’t eat. Perhaps you over-ate and experienced some indigestion, bloating, gas, or constipation. Your gut may be more inflamed and irritated. Mucus and fibrous matter can build up; pockets of gas and debris can get lodged in the many folds inside the five feet of large intestine. This can take a long time to clear; in some cases, it never fully resolves. Inability to produce or absorb vitamins and nutrients can impact overall health and function of crucial body systems (neurologic, endocrine, immune, etc.). Chronic gut inflammation can have serious adverse effects. In some people, it can lead to autoimmune diseases, degenerative neurologic diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. I recently visited InnerSpace Holistic, a healing center that specializes in colon hydrotherapy. Owner Brandy Boehmer describes the procedure as “the mother of all detoxes.” She is certified by the International Association of Colon Therapists and uses FDA-approved equipment with disposable tubing. Both the closed and open systems available use filtered water, which passes through UV light to kill off any bacteria. The system is not forceful; water pressure is regulated by gravity and the individual’s needs. No harsh laxative or spasm-inducing substances are used. In your own private room, your colon is simply flushed out with about six gallons of temperature-regulated water in about 40 minutes. Consultation with Brandy can help guide you to your best course of action. Sometimes a series of cleanses is very beneficial.

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As I have stated in many BRICK articles over the past year, gut health is of the utmost importance (see November 2018 issue). The beneficial gut bacteria known as the microbiome mostly reside in the small and large intestines; the number and types of species increase the further down the alimentary canal you go. The beneficial or commensal bacteria in our large intestine produce vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are crucial for overall health. Unwanted bacteria go out in the trash along with the rest of our waste products through the colon. There are conditions where bad bacteria can build up in the large intestine and even travel retrograde up into the small intestine, causing health problems. There is lymphoid tissue throughout our GI tract, which comprises 70% of our immune system. The main physical functions of the large intestine are to reabsorb water and dispose of debris; the unwanted, unusable, or undesirable components of what we consume. What happens when you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t empty the trash on your computer or smart phone? You get an alert that your storage is almost full. If you take no action, your device will soon malfunction. Something similar happens in our body, except the signs can be more subtle: bloating, low energy, brain fog, musculoskeletal pain, low immunity, malnutrition, skin eruptions, and more. As evidenced by the myriad of TV commercials for over-the-counter and pharmaceutical meds, gut dysfunction is rampant in the USA. Unfortunately, most of these medications just mask the root cause of the problem. The answer to most gut dysfunction lies within. The word intestine is derived from the Latin root intus meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;within.â&#x20AC;? Being healthy from within is imperative. Having a well-functioning large intestine is just as important as supporting the digestive and immune functions of our small intestine. By cleansing and resetting the system, 24 | The Brick Magazine

one has the opportunity to improve overall health. High quality pre- and probiotics can also help support recovery. This is especially important after a viral insult (â&#x20AC;&#x153;stomach fluâ&#x20AC;?) or a course of antibiotics. If you are considering colon hydrotherapy, check out the new website at InnerSpace Holistic to find out more information on this and the other services provided there (https://innerspaceholistic.com/home). Visit the Himalayan Salt Room, Infrared Spa, or experience a detoxifying foot bath. Colon Hydrotherapy is a safe way to reset your system and get on the path to better health in 2019. No drastic diet or harsh detox regimens required. Anyone with a colon can benefit!

Lisa Profera MD Owner and Founder of PROJUVU MD Aesthetics and Lifestyle Medicine Please note that the information in this article has been designed to help educate the reader regarding the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that the author and any other entity referenced here are not liable for the misconception or misuse of the information provided. It is not provided to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body. The provider of this information shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity concerning any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this information. The information presented is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling or care. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified healthcare professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. January 2019 | 25

NEW YEAR, NEW CLOSET RESOLUTIONS by Angela Harrison

26 | The Brick Magazine

ome closets are organized like a shiny department store; some look like a tornado of early-morning struggle just whipped through. Both, however, are quietly capable of ruining your wardrobe. Hangers, bags, boxes and hooks are all helpful tools in keeping things orderly, but they can also do damage to our clothes. Of course we can’t just get rid of these organizational elements; they’re essential in any closet, so we need to be sure we’re using them the right way. Every closet has the following: random plastic hangers, some sturdy wooden hangers, or too many hideous dry cleaner wire hangers — whatever gets the job done. We’re all guilty of it. Aside from this misfit crew of hangers looking terrible, most of them aren’t good for storing clothes and some things shouldn’t be hung up at all. Basic hanging rules: we do not cut out hanger tape, or the annoying ribbon loops in garments. They actually save your tops and dresses from losing shape. When you hook them on the hanger ends, their purpose is to take some of the weight off of the garment’s straps or shoulders. With

Photo by Anna Petoskey

this weight being supported by hanger tape, you don’t run the risk of stretching out knits or putting stress on delicate straps while hanging. Your hangers should have notches for these straps and a hang bar across the bottom for any fold-over use; this way, all top hangers can be multipurpose. If you’ve ever set foot in a Bed Bath & Beyond, you’ve seen there are thousands of different hangers to choose from. I’ve found the most practical options are the skinny velvet hangers, wooden notched hangers, and pant hangers. The skinny velvet style is a great space saver and should be reserved for lightweight tops and dresses. The velvet texture helps safely grab your tops without slipping; the only downside is these hangers tend to run wide, so make a judgment call if your tops have narrow shoulders. Wooden hangers are sturdy and perfect for blazers, coats, heavier/special occasion dresses, and pants folded over the hang-bar if you’re short on tall space. With heavier tops and dresses, be sure to hang the hanger tape along with any straps. These wooden hangers can take the

January 2019 | 27

weight and your garments will stand a better chance against gravity’s unwanted pull. In a perfect world, knits should never be hung up. Any sweaters, cardigans, and knit dresses will stay in their original condition longer if folded on a shelf or in a drawer. By hanging these items, sleeves get long, hemlines become uneven, and shoulders start to droop; the garment becomes compromised. Yes, folding takes up precious dresser space, but you won’t be destroying the makeup of your knits and they’ll ultimately look great longer. For bottom hangers, I always suggest the clamp style for pants (fold them in half at the waistband) and clip style for skirts. Anything in the “dress pant” category reserves the right to hanging space. Everyone’s closet is different, so if you have the space to hang all of your bottoms, by all means go for it. If you’re limited on closet space, fold your denim and chinos; these fabrics are thick and won’t crease if folded and stored in a dresser. Skirts can be doubled up on clip hangers back to back. If you have delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon, the skirts will most likely have hanger tape, so hang them accordingly. While hangers can cause their fair share of damage, so can dry cleaning bags. These clear bags appear useful — your clothes come to you packaged nicely and it seems smart to keep them as is. Wrong! Strip that bag immediately and toss the hanger. Fabric needs to breathe, you 28 | The Brick Magazine

Another closet essential to resolve are boxes. I know a lot of people have carefully converted their shoe collection into clear plastic boxes, which can definitely be a smart space saver. However, a crucial step that’s usually missed is making sure your shoes are filled and supported on the inside before they lie flat on one side for an extended period of time. Ideally, shoes should be stored upright on their soles so the structure isn’t compromised or misshapen in any way. Closets come in all shapes and sizes, so make the changes that suit your space and wardrobe. Work with the things you already have, move garments around, and fold the stuff that shouldn’t be hanging. With a new year comes new resolutions, and hopefully organizing and cleaning up your closet will be easier to accomplish. It’ll keep your clothes looking fab year after year!

don’t want a plastic bag trapping chemicals in your clothes for days on end — they’ll smell strange, discolor, and the fibers can break down over time. While the bag and hangers feel like free perks, they’re unbelievably bad for your clothes and will leave them misshapen and damaged. Plastic garment bags can be replaced with a cloth garment bag; this style of bag can be found at any home supply store, and it’s great for storing coats and eveningwear.

Photo by Anna Petoskey

Angie Harrison received a BS degree in fashion merchandising from Western Michigan University, and after merchandising for a large retailer, went on to start Angela Harrison Style: a personal, print, and film wardrobe styling service. Her experience has led her to build a loyal client list of people from all backgrounds and professions. Angie has also worked in wardrobe on local and national tv commercials and has started a visual merchandising branch of AHStyle, providing styling and merchandising expertise to Michigan retailers. www.AngelaHarrisonStyle.com • Instagram: @_ahstyle • Facebook: www.facebook.com/AngelaHarrisonStyle

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RENEW YOUR PALATE AND REFRESH YOUR PANTRY by Jillian Fraioli

ur family has strong traditions, which results in cooking the same dishes every holiday season. We rejoice in this repetition. For most of our adult lives, we have been flung far and wide across the world. The food traditions in our family are what hold us tight in the arms of our loved ones and our ancestors. It’s what brings our hearts, and sometimes our hardest memories, to the forefront to be held and cherished. But every January, without fail, this gal who can barely eat leftovers (that’s a topic for another day) starts to feel a thousand small deaths as each meal approaches. I need new. I need fresh. I need to experiment. 30 | The Brick Magazine

Winter greens, anything not meat, fresh flavors, like ginger and citrus and peppers and herbs — these are what I invariably begin to crave. I want to travel continents in my kitchen and spice up everything, not just my wine. This is when I turn to my favorite ingredients. These items might seem a little off the beaten path, but trust me, it’s worth it to build them into your pantry. Most of what I list below are what are known as “umami boosters” — the fifth taste that we’re often looking for in a satisfying dish. To me, every dish should have at least three of the five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami, and every meal should include all five to be deeply satisfying.

As an added bonus, this is also the perfect time to see what spices need to be used, replaced, or just plain tossed. I usually rotate my herbs and spices and condiments between Christmas and the New Year, letting me further explore and use up some forgotten items that encourage me to explore new recipes.

Refresh Your Pantry! Fish sauce: In the last few years, this has become known in culinary circles as the “magic bullet.” You can add a few drops to soup, stock, casseroles, greens, sauces, or gravy (!), and it deepens the umami and adds a new layer to your cooking. Star anise: I use this in stock, rice, soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, and in chicken and pork dishes. It’s powerful, so I break up the stars into bits and only use a little. It gives dishes a warmth and depth not unlike cinnamon can, but with a very different flavor, more licorice-like. Be sure you remove it before serving up your meal. Miso paste: To me, this is the holy grail of umami. Yes, you can add it to soup, but I use it most often in marinades like the one below; I roast all my veggies in it, add it to my mashed potatoes, use a teaspoon in all my salad dressings, and all my meat marinades (it rocks in hamburgers!). It makes one heck of a glaze. It’s salty, but once you get used to it, you realize the caramel flavors and sweet notes make recipes otherworldly.

Photo by Chris Lawton

Umami, the hardest-to-describe flavor, comes from glutamates and nucleotides. It’s not new, it’s just now finally part of the conversation we have when we talk about cooking. Umami can come from fermented and aged foods, even fungi. Its most nefarious source has been MSG. This is the undeniable “savory taste,” and we find it in mushrooms, fatty steak, aged cheese, tomatoes, seaweed, and vegemite/marmite, to name only a few. Below, I give you a small glimpse of what I keep on hand at all times to add new flavors and umami to my own cooking. These ingredients are my workhorses, and what I think of as the “stars” of my pantry.

Aleppo pepper: This is my new favorite addition to my pantry. I literally put it in everything. It’s not “hot,” but it carries some heat. It’s slightly smoky, and believe me, it’s very addictive. It has an earthy undertone with a fruity tang that is as delicious as it sounds. I use it on roasted vegetables, salad dressing, cocktails (try rimming a glass with it!), and almost every poultry recipe. To play with all of these items, I keep my pantry wellstocked with soy sauce, coconut aminos, mirin or rice wine vinegar, kombu, bonito, several tubes of tomato paste, anchovies, parmesan, dried porcini, and Worcestershire sauce. As far as spices go, I always have these on hand: fresh ginger, bay leaves, za’atar (please try this, it’s tangy, nutty, and herbaceous all at once), cardamom pods, Garam Masala, saffron, turmeric, Penzy’s spice blends (they’re so good, you should try all of them! My favorite is “Florida”), roasted cumin, nutmeg, and herbs de Provence. January 2019 | 31

Ginger Miso Tofu with Winter Greens This tofu has even my “I will never eat that” people gobbling it up — so try it once, even if you have picky eaters. Serving options: You can serve this “bowl” style with roasted vegetables, rice, barley, or quinoa, soba noodles, and the winter greens salad, and layer or mix it all up! I’ve used leftover edamame, sweet potatoes, parsnips, or whatever grains I had on hand, and it always turns out delicious. Ingredients: One container of extra firm tofu *extra firm is necessary or the tofu will fall apart For the Marinade/Dressing: 2 TBS honey 3 heaping TBS white miso paste 1 TBS Sriracha, or Sambal (garlic chili paste) 4 TBS coconut aminos 1/2 TSP fish sauce (optional) 2 TBS mirin or rice wine vinegar 1 TBS finely-minced fresh ginger

32 | The Brick Magazine

Optional additions: Aleppo pepper Cilantro Garlic chili paste Rice or soba noodles Winter greens salad Toasted sesame seeds, pepitos, roasted cashews Directions: Heat your oven to 400 degrees. Whisk the marinade in a bowl, saving three tbsp for the Winter Greens Salad. Marinate the tofu in the dressing — two hours to overnight for best results, but if you forget (like I often do), you can toss it gently, coating it well right before baking, and it’s still delicious. Place tofu on lightly-oiled roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and firm, flipping the tofu halfway through. (I usually line my pan with parchment for this!) When hot out of the oven, sprinkle the Aleppo pepper on top for added kick and flavor.

Winter Greens Salad Ingredients: 3 shoots of green onion, diced, whites and greens I tend to buy big containers of baby kale in the winter, as we can’t grow it year-round. Or, you can chiffonade one bunch of kale; I prefer lacinto (dinosaur) kale for this. Directions: Put kale and green onion in a large bowl (with enough room for your hands!). Add in three tbsp of the tofu marinade and massage well (three to five minutes, depending on your kale). Top with toasted sesame seeds, or roasted and smashed cashews, or pepitos.

Jillian moonlights in her own kitchen as Executive Chef. She comes from a long line of at-home chefs, making Sunday sauce and homemade pasta as soon as she was knee-high with Grandma Fraioli. Jillian used to work at such illustrious restaurants such as Emeril’s Fish House in Las Vegas (where she was a Pastry Chef), and both in the front and back of the house of Serafina and Tango in Seattle. She ended her career in restaurants many lives ago, and now supports women-owned businesses. You can follow along with her cats and knitting (and sometimes food), if that’s your jam, on Instagram @yarnologie.

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Photo by Leon Liu

WHEN HOPE WHISPERSâ&#x20AC;¦ by Maria Sylvester, MSW, CPC

34 | The Brick Magazine

Beth Billups, of Ann Arbor, artist

he glorious new year is upon us, and with it comes that sweet, hopeful energy of new beginnings, fresh starts, and perhaps if we are lucky, dreams realized. A new year awakens us to, above all else, a sense of possibility. Maybe, just maybe, I can meet some of my heart’s deepest longings. Maybe, just maybe, what felt unsurmountable last year can be a challenge I accomplish this time around. A new year always brings whispers of hope — whispers we must listen carefully to, and be prepared to honor and respect. In other words, “When hope whispers, ...align with it.” Let this be a mantra you embrace at the start of 2019. It is one I created that has empowered many of my coaching clients to see their lives shine ’n soar. Perhaps, more than any other time of the year, the month of January opens before us like a grand, spacious ballroom inviting us to dance our finest steps, to create a new masterpiece of our lives. The simple turn of the calendar can empower even the most timid of souls to suddenly believe a bit more in themselves and in one’s ability to make something amazing happen. The beginning of another year gifts us the blessing of feeling like we have what it takes. Did you catch that? You do. You have what it takes. The turn of a new year gently nudges us into applying, in crystal-clear sharp focus, our skills, abilities, and talents in the direction of our sweet, glorious desires. And hope rises. I encourage you, dear reader, to powerfully align with the tender whispers you hear right NOW within the depths of your being. Make your relationship with yourself and with your longings your top priority. Whatever has surfaced in the way of desires, and has taken a seat at the table of your consciousness, is demanding attention. Do not dismiss as silly, frivolous, or insignificant those daydreams,

longings, or fantasy thoughts about what could be in your life. Create time and space to align with the energy, people, things and dreams that are calling to you. Listen to each and every whisper. Hear them as powerful soul messages harkening you forward in exactly the graceinspired direction you need to head. Happy New Year! Maria Sylvester, MSW, CPC is a certified Life Coach in Ann Arbor, MI who loves empowering adolescents, adults, and couples to live from the HEART of what really matters to them so that they can bring their fully expressed, vibrant selves into the world. She has a special gift for helping women reclaim their feminine power, and embrace their radiant, sensual, sexy spirits. Their lives transform. They soar into their mid-life magnificence! LifeEmpowermentCoaching.com Complimentary First Session 734.717.7532

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RESTRUCTURING MY WORLD by Marilyn A. Pellini January is the month that I send a small contribution to all my favorite organizations, and the month I vow to give more of my time, energy, and effort to those groups I am most dedicated to. This goal seems to be working better in my older years than it did when I was much younger. Back then, I concentrated more on things that affected me personally. Each year, there were so many New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, be more patient with the children, cook healthy but delicious meals, and up my organizational skills both at home and work. Now, as the years slip by, I think more about the legacy I wish to leave — just what it is about me that I hope people will remember most. I’m truly praying it is my giving spirit.

36 | The Brick Magazine

I belong to three women’s clubs and try to do my part and share where each group is concerned. One of my clubs operates their own thrift shop, which earns a great deal of money each year, all of which is given to worthy and needy local groups and for scholarships to local students. Since 1991, I have done the calling to fill in the thrift shop workers’ schedule. After such a long stint, I do think about retiring from this job, but there is simply no one waiting in the wings to take over, so I’m more determined than ever to keep this most necessary position. Women’s clubs are finding it difficult to get new members because so many women work today. It would be such a shame if they went out of existence, since they do so much good

for their communities. The club I have been a member of the longest, and was president of a few years ago, has started an evening program in the hopes of attracting younger working women. These gals organized their first ever fundraiser, which netted enough to replace the old windows in the historic house we own. Living in the same town for close to fifty years, I have seen many changes, some for the common good and some I wish could be reversed. Staying involved through communication with town officials and submitting my thoughts through the Letters To The Editor column in our local paper have allowed me to point out a number

of projects that would be in the best interest of many. One such project I’ve supported is the building of a safe, warm place where citizens can go in times of area-wide emergency — something like that is sorely needed. I know I must continue to advocate for installing generators at our local elementary schools and stocking the facilities with food, cots, blankets and medical supplies. For the very young and the very old, this could mean the difference between life and death. I’m determined to continue advocating for projects like this until it becomes a reality. I’m convinced that clean-up and beautification in towns leads to happier citizens who are more content and

January 2019 | 37

giving. The entrance to my neighborhood is at a junction where a most beautiful reservoir is located, yet it looks like a blighted area devoid of grass and lacking a sign announcing the name of our bucolic hamlet. Over the years at open town meetings, I have mentioned that this area invites littering and allows cars to be parked too close to a water supply. On that same road are signs announcing a speed limit of 30 miles an hour. Since police cannot patrol every moment, there are many driving at 55 and over. Children line the sidewalks each morning awaiting their school bus; there’s certainly the potential for a serious accident along this roadway. I served on a committee that explored the use of more stop signs and speed tables. These are presently in a trial phase, and cars do seem to be traveling at a more sensible and acceptable speed. There are some who are finding these bumps a nuisance, but from my window I have a view of one of the intersections and know that there is an improvement. I, for one, will rally to keep these speed deterrents. Over the years, my life has changed and evolved. This happens to many parents when their children leave home for college, jobs, or marriage. It often happens again when you lose your mate. Unfortunately, seven years ago this became my new reality. I was sad and immobile for a long time. Only last year did I sense there may still be a purpose and reason why I continue to live on. I had started to write letters to my deceased husband, first as an outlet for my anger at losing him and later so I could gripe, at least on paper, about the trials and obstacles I

38 | The Brick Magazine

encountered as a widow. Never did I believe this would turn into a book. The more I wrote, the more I became aware of the plight of the widows and widowers in our society. It is rather unacceptable to grieve over a long period of time, yet this process can take years. It is time to change our perspective on grief. Personally, I am eager to move forward, yet savor the joys of my past too. My book gives advice to others in this same circumstance about how they can reconnect with themselves, their loved ones, and their community. These folks are wise and experienced, often still very energetic, and very willing to become involved and to help. My new goal is to go out to speak to groups about the grieving process, not from a psychological or professional perspective, but from personal experience. Nursing homes, grief groups, and certainly women’s groups (since women usually live longer) will be my focus. I must help to lighten the burden of those left behind and show them there is always a door to walk through to the future if only they can open their heart, eyes, and mind to the endless possibilities awaiting, even if their world must be totally recreated. Marilyn Pellini is the author of a new book, Dear Al, A Widow’s Struggles and Remembrances. She has also had pieces in the magazines Bay State Parent, Westchester Parent, and On The Water. This year, she took first place in a writing contest sponsored by The N.Y. State Federation of Women’s Clubs. She is a native of Providence, R.I. and attended the University of Rhode Island. She currently lives in Katonah, N.Y.

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January 2019 | 39

FOR PERSONAL & PLANETARY THRIVING

THREE DAYS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE by Morella Devost, EdM, MA

40 | The Brick Magazine

looked into the bathroom mirror of my beautiful Manhattan studio apartment. It had only been three days, and I was stunned. My boyfriend and I were on the final day of our firstever juicing detox. For three days, we consumed more vegetable juice than the whole prior thirty years of our lives. And for the first time in a decade, I was seeing a significant difference in the appearance of my skin…for the better. Ten years prior, in college, I began developing massive cystic acne that plagued me throughout my twenties. Nothing had ever helped. Not the birth control my doctor prescribed. Not quitting dairy, meat, or gluten. But this three-day detox definitely had an impact. It helped me open my eyes to the effect of our environment on our health. The improvement in my skin, while slight, was the tipping point that initiated a massive overhaul of my health, my career, and my views on our modern lifestyle. Health-wise, it took two more years to fully resolve my issues, but that threeday cleanse got me started. I’d seen with my own eyes that food does in fact make a difference, and I became passionate about learning to use food for healing. Career-wise, I facilitated my very first four-week detox for a group of ten clients three years after that cleanse. By then, I’d become certified in Holistic Nutrition Coaching and I’d done heaps of research on detoxification. I’d also personally undertaken countless other cleanses, liquid fasts, liver flushes, and more. I had synthesized the best into a

January 2019 | 41

program that remains unchanged to this day. The health turnarounds I’ve seen in my clients over the past eleven years have always left me in awe, and deeply humbled. Now, as it relates to my lifestyle and my choices, I can’t claim that I completely overhauled my lifestyle overnight after just that detox. But over the course of the next three years, I made small changes with a lasting impact. I became aware of ubiquitous products and substances contributing to my health issues, such as fragrances and

plastics. I learned that these, among other chemicals, have a hormone-disrupting effect, which was a primary cause of my menstrual and acne problems. Eating foods packed in plastics, drinking water from plastic bottles, and microwaving food in plastic containers went out the window. I systematically began eliminating all plastics and fragrances from my home. I replaced my Tupperware with glass. I never wore a synthetic perfume again, and slowly replaced all of my personal care products with ones that were 100% plant-based and non-toxic. I also started to become aware of how household cleaners, processed foods, and certain conventionally grown foods contribute to our modern-age burdened livers. This has such a widespread effect on us that even just a short-term liver-supporting detox can produce noticeable improvements in our health. So, little by little, I replaced all household cleaners with plant-based, biodegradable products. And I became an avid follower of the Environmental Working Group (EWG. org) and their “Dirty Dozen” list, as well as all of their safe-product guides. This gradual transformation went hand in hand with the realization that what harms our bodies also harms the planet and vice versa. We have an environmental problem, and our planet has a human problem. We’ve created superfund sites, toxic landfills, and plastic islands in our oceans; environmental disasters for which we have yet to find solutions. It is all affecting our health. And taking pills for our symptoms won’t improve our collective health or the health of the planet. Both the planet and humanity have to become healthier together. We can make small, incremental changes, like the ones I’ve mentioned. But is it enough? I’m afraid it’s not. I believe we need to start imagining a new paradigm for life on the planet, because our consumerism culture is not sustainable; not for the planet nor for our health.

Photo by icon0.com

42 | The Brick Magazine

Switching our regular products for “greener” ones is only a minor step change.

Photo by Larm Rmah

If you switch your gasoline car for an electric one, where are the tires, dashboard, and interiors coming from? If you switch to glass containers instead of Tupperware, what are the lids made of?

family and friends on the impact of our environment on our health, and inspire them to take action? And what would happen for our family’s health if we were to do any of these things?

The extraction of oil is not just for fuel. Our entire lifestyle is dependent on petrochemicals. It’s not just tires, asphalt, and plastics. It’s perfumes, cosmetics, household cleaners, carpets, mattresses, sneakers, detergents, pesticides…the list goes on. Changing these things one at a time will help, no doubt. You’ll first notice it in your health. But collectively, we need to do more — for our children, grandchildren, and the generations to come.

It is my dream to eventually create a lifestyle where I have zero impact on the planet, and maybe even help offset the impact others are having. I did overhaul my lifestyle over the course of a few years, and my health and well-being have been all the better for it… but I still have a ways to go, and I’m not off the hook.

What might happen if we start to see ourselves as stewards of both our health and planetary health? What actions might we take? What organizations and committees might we join? Would we start our community’s composting program, or help facilitate recycling education within cities? Would we start a campaign for the elimination of plastics in restaurants? Or perhaps support trailblazing organizations like the Environmental Working Group? Would we simply become that person who educates their

In the end, we are all one. Humanity is a single organism on this beautiful, tiny, blue planet. For better and for worse, the health of the planet goes hand in hand with our own. What will you do this year, for your sake, for our planet’s sake? Morella Devost facilitates profound transformation for people who want to thrive in every aspect of life. After receiving two Masters Degrees in Counseling from Columbia University, she also became a Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP facilitator, and Holistic Health Coach. Morella is a Venezuelan-Vermonter who works with people all over the world from her beautiful office in Burlington, Vermont.

January 2019 | 43

WOMAN ON THE STREET

REMAKING by Stephanie Saline Photo by Roberto Nickson 44 | The Brick Magazine

Warning: This story contains violence, and may be hard for some to read. Consider skipping if you’re feeling tender or your emotional bucket is already full today.

t 3:00 am on Friday night, the Philosopher and I woke up to someone screaming. I ran to the bedroom window, and looked outside to see a man beating a woman. I ran out the front door and yelled at the guy to stop. I yelled that I saw him and what he was doing. I yelled I was going to call the police. The man got in his car and drove off, leaving our neighbor in the cold rain in her underwear, crumpled. ### We moved the kids and I took her to the ER. She talked to the domestic violence counselor. She filed a police report. She made a safety plan. I stayed with her for eight hours as she did all this. We left the hospital around noon. But this is not her story. It’s mine. ### We had a poker party scheduled for Saturday night. Should we cancel? We decided to keep our plans, but simplify (and nap). I was going to cook, but we opted for frozen pizzas and a quick-to-assemble hummus plate, piled high with tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, hunks of feta, chopped parsley, a big dollop of pesto, and several glugs of olive oil. I, in an effort to right myself, was attempting to tidy the house. The Philosopher insisted that a righteous nap would be a better use of time.

### What a privilege to be able to close a door, be alone, take a bath, and feel safe enough to feel your feelings! And still, this experience is moving through my system. Because I am waking up to the idea that this is what I — and maybe what you — have been training for my whole life. We have been learning how to take what happens to us and make it into something different. We have been learning how to be with ourselves (and others) when the unthinkable happens. We have been learning how to be human when the situation we’re in is shark-eyed and inhuman. We have been learning how to imagine a new possibility in the darkness. Maybe…just maybe…this is why we are here. To remake ourselves. To allow the terrible things we witness to move us to do something. ###

I managed to negotiate a pre-nap bath. Epsom salt. Baking soda. Candlelight.

When the sun started rising, and my neighbor and I were waiting in her room at the ER, she said, “No one else came out to help me. You were the only one.”

I soaked, immersing myself in the warm water and allowing the feelings that the adrenaline had pushed aside to surface. Sadness. Anger. Grief. Appreciation. Relief.

I told her that I’d like to think if the situation were reversed, she would be someone who would help me. She thought about it for a moment, and then replied, “Yes, I would.”

And then, I put on my scrubby mitts and scrubbed my skin. I scrubbed away a man who, overcome by his own frustration and hopelessness, externalizes it on the body of another human being. I scrubbed away violence. I scrubbed away a social services system that is wellmeaning, but disjointed, bureaucratic, and pretty much insane. I scrubbed away poverty. I scrubbed away the current reality we are in.

A teacher and advertising writer based in Buffalo, Stephanie Saline spent one decade on adventures in Japan, Seattle, and Montana, and another decade building a popular copywriting business. She now leads writing workshops where women become the hero in the story of their own lives. “We live in a world where we are all heroes now – and that’s a great thing.” Find out more about her work at www.stellaorange.com.

January 2019 | 45

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi

DREAM THE NEXT YOU INTO BEING by Sharon Lawlor

46 | The Brick Magazine

Photo by Eye for Ebony

oday is the start of a new year. New Year’s resolutions are in full force for some. For others, they perhaps want something else. If you could wave a magic wand over your life right now, how would it ideally be? Stop to think about that. Really give it some thought. Don’t just look at your physical self (as most New Year’s resolutions focus on), but at all aspects of you. This will help create an over-arching vision of this new energy. Dream BIG!

Knock down any walls that closed you in. If ANYTHING was possible, what would that be? Keep going. Dream even BIGGER! Dream so big that it feels so ridiculously inconceivable. That’s when you have some magic to work with. Keep that feeling with you. Notice all of the nuances. Write them down. Are you standing taller, more radiant, more confident? How would you describe it? In your mind’s eye, envision this new you, your new life

January 2019 | 47

in vivid detail. What do your days look like? How are you dressed? What are you doing, saying, creating, and being? What nourishes you? Look at everything about yourself: your relationships, finances, health, home, career, spirituality, personal growth, emotional well-being, creativity, joy, social life, physical activity, education, home cooking, and mind-set — plus, anything else that is important in creating a balanced, evolving, fulfilled, joyful life. In order to manifest anew, we need to become this new energy vibration. Totally embody it. So, by imagining what it is, we are trying it on, shifting our awareness, and opening up to receive it in a new way. Please note at any moment you have total control to make any alterations of this dream if any part of it does not align to your truth; keep tweaking it until it does. Spend as much time envisioning, embodying, and connecting to this dream on a regular basis as you can. Daily, smaller increments create more momentum than large, less frequent chunks of time. Think of it as creating a new habit, and it’s these habits that create the big change we desire. It’s a lifestyle, not an accomplishment to check off our list of to-do’s. When this happens, it magnetizes other resonant energies and experiences to us. Slowly, step-by-step building anew. I see it as pulling it closer and closer to ourselves as well as simultaneously maneuvering towards our desires. When we associate on a new level, there will inevitably be things in our lives that will be in discord from where we started on our path. This is a part of the journey! Release, release, release! This releasing helps open up space for the new to arrive — we’re letting go of the old that no longer supports our new vision. This can be a time that feels freeing to let go of old energy that is weighing us down, whether literally or mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Or, fear can set in and slow down our process. Fear can be our ego speaking to us, as ego is here to keep one safe. When the status quo is interrupted, fear can throw us off balance; it works really hard to keep you the same and not change. When you see fear arise, give voice to what it is; this shines light on it and brings awareness to the situation. Now, it shouldn’t be allowed to hide out and spread. I usually see this happen when one disconnects from their heart and body, and the ego grabs ahold of the mind.

48 | The Brick Magazine

Grounding practices can definitely help re-connect the heart and body. Reach out to me personally if you need help finding grounding practices that work for you, I’d be happy to assist. When connecting back to your heart and soul, really feel into that space. Communicate to yourself that you are safe and supported. Feel that rootedness in Mother Gaia. Trust and allow the divine to guide you on the next step of your journey towards your magnificent new life. Take each of those actions, one-by-one, until this vision is fully realized. This can be your year! I truly believe that! Imagine what this world would be like it we had the courage to fully be ourselves in the greatness we were meant to be. Those dreams are your dreams, and no one else’s. They are within you for a reason. Trust that. Hold on to that vision with all your might. Sometimes, we need to keep those precious dreams to ourselves while we are tending these very delicate seeds into seedlings. That’s okay. You don’t want anyone else to throw you off course with their own opinions or fears. If that does happen though, just get back onto your path, dust yourself off, and continue forward. And if you do need a trusted listener to share your dream with, please know I am here for you. You can email me, or if you need a faceto-face conversation I’m available locally for tea. I know it can be scary to claim big dreams. Put that stake in the ground! We need to get the thoughts out of our head in order to manifest formlessness into form, one step at a time. Remember it’s the journey, not the destination. So, please enjoy yourself while you are walking this path — you got this. Sharon Marie works holistically within the bodymind-spirit framework of her clients to reawaken them to their own innate tranquil being and feel a new sense of peace. She’s artful in working with the elements to create more flow, spaciousness, ease, and magic while deepening her clients’ connection to self through healing bodywork, mindful dialogue, and experiential journeys. Sharon Marie is the Founder and Energy Alchemist at Tranquil Being. Connect with her through email here: connect@ tranquilbeing.com or call 734.761.8753. website: www.tranquilbeing.com facebook: www.facebook.com/tranquilbeing instagram: www.instagram.com/tranquil.being twitter: www.twitter.com/tranquilbeing

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